Best musical to see in London this weekend?
Best musical to see in London this weekend?
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TorqueDirty

Original Poster:

1,916 posts

250 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
Hi folks,

Heading down to the Big Smoke this weekend and would like to take in a matinee show on Saturday.

My wife has never seen a really great musical so was wondering what's good at the moment. Guys and Dolls? Les Miserable? Phantom of the Opera?

Fancy seeing one of the "classics" as opposed to a film inspired modern thing this time around.

Any suggestions?

Cheers
TD

Dan_1981

18,124 posts

230 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
Les Mis is very good, Miss Saigon is also good although i'm not sure if that's still showing.

But, and I know you don't want to see a modern thing, but the Lion King is fantastic.

Or as a left field / not main stream one of the big ones, what about Blood Brothers?

Jasandjules

72,676 posts

260 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
Phantom is cool.

Fame if you want a bit of singing and dancing (I know you said not TV/Film but still).

Miss Saigon also is awesome.

It really depends on what you like though. For me, pretty much all of them are incredible, simply because it is live!


TorqueDirty

Original Poster:

1,916 posts

250 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
Thanks Dan - must say that I has discounted the Lion King purely based on the films, but having just read the reviews it does seem to be a little bit special.

I may have to revise my criteria!

TD

Dan_1981

18,124 posts

230 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
If you haven't seen it I'd really say it is a must.

Just the opening scene is spine tinglingly fantastic.

Alex

9,978 posts

315 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
The longtermers are all superb spectacles (Les Mis, Phantom, Lion King).

Blood Brothers is not in the same league, IMO.

I'd add Wicked to the list (and tickets are usually available). My daughter dragged me along, and I loved it.

Thankyou4calling

11,037 posts

204 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
Have you considered the Jersey boys at the Piccadilly?

The music so big before my time but really memorable and well delivered.

There are some good ticket bargains on last minute.com

Crook

8,090 posts

255 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
Book of mormon. Not cheap at short notice but I found it one of the funniest things I have seen. Very cleverly done, both in the set pieces and the wit.

Johnniem

2,758 posts

254 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
Wicked is a 'must see'. It is the prequel to Wizard of Oz but so much better in all ways. I got hooked into the music on first viewing. Les Mis is incredible and well worth a visit. Miss Saigon also very good. It is still around but will be off soon. Book of Mormon...prepare to pay mega bucks. Have no idea if it is good or not but reputed to be excellent!

Harry H

3,765 posts

187 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
Les Mis is probably the best one out there although not exactly heart lifting. If you want feel good go for Jersey Boys. Franky Valley may well have been before most of our time but you'll still know 90% of every song as most of his stuff has been covered numerous times since.

Either of the above and you can't go wrong.

mini me

1,451 posts

224 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
TorqueDirty said:
Thanks Dan - must say that I has discounted the Lion King purely based on the films, but having just read the reviews it does seem to be a little bit special.

I may have to revise my criteria!

TD
We went to see it last month. I thought it was amazing!

Should be compulsory viewing i think.


thainy77

3,347 posts

229 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
Phantom is the best of the classics for me but i also saw Wicked New Years Day and it was great.

Crook

8,090 posts

255 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
Johnniem said:
Book of Mormon...prepare to pay mega bucks. Have no idea if it is good or not but reputed to be excellent!
Of the people I have spoken about it to that have seen it, all have gone back to see it for a 2nd time.

I don't doubt that this happens with the others that have been suggested too.

Fas1975

1,808 posts

195 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
War Horse Absolutely superb

Justayellowbadge

37,057 posts

273 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
Fas1975 said:
War Horse Absolutely superb
Stuffed with catchy, sing along, toe tapping numbers.

But you're right, it is superb.

Fas1975

1,808 posts

195 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
Justayellowbadge said:
Fas1975 said:
War Horse Absolutely superb
Stuffed with catchy, sing along, toe tapping numbers.

But you're right, it is superb.
He said "musical"., didn't request happy-clappy

Justayellowbadge

37,057 posts

273 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
Fas1975 said:
Justayellowbadge said:
Fas1975 said:
War Horse Absolutely superb
Stuffed with catchy, sing along, toe tapping numbers.

But you're right, it is superb.
He said "musical"., didn't request happy-clappy
He did indeed. The tiny flaw in your argument being that War Horse is not a musical.

TorqueDirty

Original Poster:

1,916 posts

250 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
Holy moley - these tickets are extortionate!

£260 quid for 2 Saturday matinee tickets. Oh well, The Book of Mormon better be damn good that's all I can say. Next time I'll need to plan in advance. This weekend is a bit of a last minute thing so that was not possible this time.

The Lion King was all booked up unsurprisingly and didn't fancy Les Mis.

Thanks for all the great input and suggestions folks.

TD

RizzoTheRat

29,081 posts

223 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
I'm not generally a fan of musicals, however I really enjoyed Les Mis, Phantom, and Lion King. Blood brothers wasn't bad either. You won't go wrong with any of those recommendations in my opinion.

laminad123

215 posts

186 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
i've seen most of the big shows growing up, but went to see Cirque de Soleil at the Royal Albert Hall and felt it was far more entertaining. not too cheesy, a bit flambouyant but the shows of skill were immense. there's a matinee performance at 1530