I want to see a musical in the West End!

The Big Red Button

A few years ago, I used to be BIG into musicals. My favourites being Les Mis, Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, The Sound of Music, Evita, West Side Story, Chess ... basically the more mainstream ones, although I did listen to a lot of the others at the time. However I just haven't had time to keep up to date with the whole musical scene in the past few years.

I'm planning a trip to London at the moment, the highlight of which will be my first ever West End musical. I'm thinking Wicked!!! It sounds class, seems to be getting great reviews.

Would you recomment Wicked, or something else? Would appreciate any opinions!

Thanks!!!

sashafierce

This post has been deleted.

fonpokno

Wicked definitely! Avenue Q also if it's playing, it's a parody of Sesame Street basically, and is so non-politically correct. It's one of the funniest things I've ever seen!

When I went to London yeeeears ago I saw My Fair Lady and Grease which were both amazing. In May for my birthday my boyfriend took me to Phantom of the Opera and it was something else. It really was fantastic and I'm not an Andrew Lloyd Weber fan at all.

Billy Elliot is meant to be brilliant too although I haven't seen it myself.

I think no matter what you go to you'll see a great show, they're just wonderful. If I could go to a West End or Broadway show every day I would. Love them.

The Big Red Button

fonpokno wrote: »

Wicked definitely! Avenue Q also if it's playing, it's a parody of Sesame Street basically, and is so non-politically correct. It's one of the funniest things I've ever seen!

When I went to London yeeeears ago I saw My Fair Lady and Grease which were both amazing. In May for my birthday my boyfriend took me to Phantom of the Opera and it was something else. It really was fantastic and I'm not an Andrew Lloyd Weber fan at all.

Billy Elliot is meant to be brilliant too although I haven't seen it myself.

I think no matter what you go to you'll see a great show, they're just wonderful. If I could go to a West End or Broadway show every day I would. Love them.

Parody of Sesame Street? Really? Can't imagine it!!! !!

I'd love to see both My Fair Lady and Grease ... however, having seen the screen versions, I wouldn't say they'd be my first choices. Any time I've seen the Phantom of the Opera it's been amazing, however I've seen it live already and so wouldn't be inclined to spend money on seeing it again

I haven't heard anything about Billy Elliot which would make me want to see the stage version (as opposed to the screen version.)

So I think I'm still sticking with Wicked

fonpokno

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sxqz7-CGIc4

That's a performance the British cast did at the Royal Variety in 2006. If you're in any way easily offended it's not for you. I love it though, great music and great characters.

The Big Red Button

fonpokno wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sxqz7-CGIc4

That's a performance the British cast did at the Royal Variety in 2006. If you're in any way easily offended it's not for you. I love it though, great music and great characters.

Looks hilarious! I'm thinking Wicked still looks better though Particularly for my uninitiated boyfriend, who's never seen a musical in his life!!!

fonpokno

Wicked is fantastic! Quite funny too actually and great music. Having said that, I found the music a bit jarring at first actually, dare I say that I didn't like it at first but after listening to the soundtrack a few times I really loved it.

I couldn't ever choose between Wicked and Avenue Q, I love them both equally. Saw them both in New York in February and they're too different to compare really. They're just both awesome.

Penny Lane!

I agree totally with Avenue Q!!! Funniest thing ever! I saw it last week with himself, who had never seen a musical before I took him to London....We also went to see BLood Brothers with Nikki Evens. And WOW!! I am a huge Rebacca Storm fan so I was afraid I wouldnt take to this production but I loved it!! Himself loved Anvenue Q think it may have been the highlight for him so I'd def recommend it for any guy who doenst know his musicals!!

Futurecrook

If your bf has never seen a musical and doesnt have a particular interest in them then I think Avenue Q would probably be the best way to introduce him to them as its a comedy so even if hes not a fan of the singing, etc. he can still enjoy the plot. I brought a non-musical-interested ex to see Wicked a a few years ago and he hated it.

athtrasna

Wicked is not a good one for the uninitiated boyfriend...that's a couple of shows later. Fab show but definitely one for a girly trip.

Avenue Q is hilarious but of all the London shows..the one I'd recommend is Billy Elliot. It's amazing. Great for everyone..I've brought my OH and his parents and they all loved it.

Have seen Wicked 9 times, Avenue Q twice and Billy Elliott 4 times but Billy is my absolute must see,

spiderdog

DIRTY DANCING!!!!!!!
went to see it in may and it was amazing.....
the dancing was jaw dropping and the singing just got better and better and left you going...wow....
id go see it again a a heart beat....def one to see!!!:):)

Agent Smith

wicked or Avenue Q, By Far.



If the producers is still on there, that perhaps?`

Jessibelle

Wicked is amazing, but I'd agree with those above, it's not really a 'my first musical' experience, 'Dirty Dancing' is also fantastic, but definitely one for the girls. The Lion King is spectacular, just has so much going on all at once, and Avenue Q is a riot, and seemed to have a good mix in the audience, and has the really catchy numbers also. All my two cent though it has to be said, I get easily distracted by bright lights and cheery tunes

athtrasna

spiderdog wrote: »

DIRTY DANCING!!!!!!!
went to see it in may and it was amazing.....
the dancing was jaw dropping and the singing just got better and better and left you going...wow....
id go see it again a a heart beat....def one to see!!!:):)

Closing before the end of this month!

Twilighter

Go see wicked if you ever get the chance to. I saw it in the west end in July 07, it was AMAZING. my first ever musical

1975

Most of the shows take Sunday night off I got caught on my last trip. All the really popular shows had the night off. I ended up seeing Thriller and it was the weekend Michael Jackson died so glad I went to see the show - it's really good - ... But keep that in mind:D:D:D

ra88

I second wicked, went in to it not even knowing what it was about, but really enjoyed the story, songs, costumes etc. Better than billy elliot.

Anyone seen hairspray? i keep hearing good things about that.

phillje66

Sister Act is a great show, Blood Brothers an all time favourite of mine, but if you want a really good laugh, try Spamalot or Priscilla Queen Of The Desert, Enjoy !!!;)

shona2

oh my god you sooooo have to go see the lion king.... i draged my 40y old brother to it and he loved it 2...
wicked is a very close 2nd,but any one who has been to the lion king said its just the best:)

poteen

What is the best place to get tickets for sold out shows on west end . In paricular Im looking to see The Phantom but no ticks available except through other websites like last minute. Is it better and wait until the day and buy the tickets around west end (I need 4) or to buy on line in advance of 'other' websites?
Also trying to decide which of Les Mis or Phantom would be better to see?

LizT

Saw hairspray on broadway - Much better than the film!!

I loved it - it was very funny and has great songs.

witchgirl26

poteen wrote: »

What is the best place to get tickets for sold out shows on west end . In paricular Im looking to see The Phantom but no ticks available except through other websites like last minute. Is it better and wait until the day and buy the tickets around west end (I need 4) or to buy on line in advance of 'other' websites?
Also trying to decide which of Les Mis or Phantom would be better to see?

I've always found the best bet is the official ticket booths around Leicester Square. I got tickets to see Joseph from one of them when it had been sold out for ages. Often when they are sold out it's because booths like this have bought a lot of them. Just make sure it's an offical one - friends have been caught out in the past, they should be part of the Society of London Theatre. Tkts is one but there are others.

witchgirl26

poteen wrote: »

What is the best place to get tickets for sold out shows on west end . In paricular Im looking to see The Phantom but no ticks available except through other websites like last minute. Is it better and wait until the day and buy the tickets around west end (I need 4) or to buy on line in advance of 'other' websites?
Also trying to decide which of Les Mis or Phantom would be better to see?

I've always found the best bet is the official ticket booths around Leicester Square. I got tickets to see Joseph from one of them when it had been sold out for ages. Often when they are sold out it's because booths like this have bought a lot of them. Just make sure it's an offical one - friends have been caught out in the past, they should be part of the Society of London Theatre. Tkts is one but there are others.

If you've decided on a show for definate that you want to see then you might be better trying to get tickets online. Tkts have a website but if you google The Society of London Theatre there's a link to buying tickets there. That said, I didn't do that for Joseph & still managed to get tickets on the day.

Personally I would pick Phantom - saw it in Vegas & was blown away by it. I do love Les Mis though.

dalemulgrew0

ra88 wrote: »

I second wicked, went in to it not even knowing what it was about, but really enjoyed the story, songs, costumes etc. Better than billy elliot.

Anyone seen hairspray? i keep hearing good things about that.

yes i went ta c it wiv me club and on my life it has be the best show ever,,
we went becasue my club is doing the play

brogen

Witch Girl - the version of Phantom in Las Vegas is different than any other official version you will ever see. it's about an hour shorter. That said, it is still amazing, and the theatre in the Venetian is great, but I would recommend going to see it in Her Majesty's in London.

Poteen - Les Mis and Phantom are both great but I love Phantom the most because it is a gothic horror/love story, which always appeals to me!

athtrasna

brogen wrote: »

Witch Girl - the version of Phantom in Las Vegas is different than any other official version you will ever see. it's about an hour shorter. That said, it is still amazing, and the theatre in the Venetian is great,

??? The show is butchered in Vegas, even the amazing overture is chopped. The theatre is freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezing, and the show is ruined. IMO

I'm not an ALW fan but love this show, the Vegas version almost moved me to tears...of sadness and dismay. Took something good and turned it into something mediocre all in the sake of fitting in 2 shows a night!

fonpokno

dalemulgrew0 wrote: »

yes i went ta c it wiv me club and on my life it has be the best show ever,,
we went becasue my club is doing the play

Welcome to Musicals and keep posting here! But please please please don't use txt spk. You have a full keyboard at your disposal.

The Big Red Button

chatterpillar wrote: »

I'm planning a trip to London at the moment, the highlight of which will be my first ever West End musical.

... and a year later, I am finally getting round to organising this!

Thanks for all the recommendations so far!

I'm going to London next month for a weekend for my birthday, with my fiance and a group of friends (mostly female, but a few lads.) Much as I would love to see Wicked, going by a couple of the comments it mightn't be the "safest" option? I really really want my friends to enjoy whatever one we choose! At the moment, I'm thinking The Lion King would be a good one? That, Dirty Dancing, or Mamma Mia ... for the lads sake though, maybe I should go with the Lion King! Any thoughts? Is the Lion King a safe bet or would you recommend something else? Since none of these people are really into musicals, I'd ideally like to pick something that they'll know the music from!

Oh, and also, are there any particular websites you'd suggest for getting good value tickets?

fonpokno

Personally I wouldn't go with the lion king, I've had too many people tell me how boring it is!

Avenue Q is great for disgraceful humour, the guys would probably love it as well as the girls as long as they get it.

Hrududu

Wicked is a far more safe bet than any of the others you have listed.

michaelflynn61

the list is endless!!

Billy Elliot is simply brilliant, though its a real crier! Wicked is also absolutle brill, its proper big, loud and colourful west end! great music too. For something a little bit easier but also big and colourful sister act is great, and if you go before the end of August Whoopi Goldberg is staring as Mother Superior! You will leave sister act singing and dancing for sure!! As a lot of other have said, Avenue Q is great, particularly if you are bringing someone who might not be too keen on musicals, its hilarious!!

TheatreBoy

Billy Elliot, Its Unreal!

The Wicked Cast Arent Great ATM And The Les Mis Cast Are Crap Too!
I Wud Say Billy Elliot Is The Best Show On The West End This Time Round.