Let’s face it, we’re all feeling that huge gaping hole in our lives that is theatre but thanks to the BBC, we were able to enjoy performances from some of the best musicals in London in Musicals: The Greatest Show. Recorded at the London Palladium, the 75-minute TV show is a joyful celebration of musical theatre while venues across the country are unable to open. If you missed it, don’t fret. You can still enjoy the replay on BBC iPlayer, right here.
Whether you’re a fan of the iconic musical The Phantom Of The Opera or Les Misérables, or want to learn about some of the new musicals in London including Six or Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, the celebration is packed with showstoppers from the very best of West End musical theatre alongside the BBC Orchestra Concert. There is also a number of performances from special guests Elaine Paige, Michael Ball, Amanda Holden, Nicole Scherzinger, Josh Groban and Lea Solanga – what a treat!
Feeling SO overwhelmed by all your beautiful messages. My phones popping off. Thanks so much and big love to you all! 💙💙💙#MusicalsTheGreatestShow 🎭 https://t.co/FY5yoPx0QY pic.twitter.com/771dH3hBYo
— Layton Williams (@LaytonWilliams) February 7, 2021
And because we are still buzzing from the incredible performances and all the razzle-dazzle, we’re recapping all the wonderful musicals in London that were featured so that you can be reminded of all the exciting theatre you can enjoy once venues can reopen. It’ll be just the tonic we need!
Six
If you’ve not already heard, Six is a fresh British musical that everyone (we mean literally, everyone) is losing their heads over.
Think: Beyonce and Ariana Grande meets Tudor Queens. Yes, that’s right – this pop-tastic musical is all about the six wives of Henry VIII, who in true 21st century girl power-mode, take to the mics to tell their tales. In this pop-fuelled concert, the Pop Princesses remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an 80-minute celebration of true female empowerment! With an incredibly strong and powerful message, this homegrown musical is not one to be missed.
If you’d like to know more about the musical, click the video above for an exclusive performance alongside a Q&A with some of the cast members. And if you’re still wondering whether to grab your tickets, check out our roundup of Six ways Six stunned us here.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
Layton Williams’ performance of Over The Wall gave us major goosebumps last night and was a big reminder of why show this is one of the most wonderful musicals in London. If you need a dose of inspiration or something that’s going to get you up on your feet and clicking your fingers with sass, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at the Apollo Theatre is a winner! Inspired by a documentary about a real boy named Jamie Campbell, the musical follows the tale of 16-year-old with a secret to tell – and dreams to make true.
We don’t want to give away too much, but when Jamie New found himself the target of bullies, he decides to tell his truth and share his story with the world. In an act of bravery, adversary and fabulousness, and with the help of his Mum and friends, he steps out of the darkness and owns the spotlight, becoming the school sensation and making his dreams come true.
Want to learn more about the true story that inspired the musical? Click here to learn all about the real-life Jamie New, or get your red heels ready and hit play to the trailer above! We’ve even got an Instagram takeover from the cast of the musical so if you want to have a nosey as to what goes on behind-the-scenes, be sure to check it out.
Tina – The Tina Turner Musical
As corny as it sounds, Aisha Jawando’s powerful performance on Musicals: The Greatest Show was a big reminder that theatre simply is the best! Would you agree? The iconic number is just one of many featured in the new biographical musical, Tina – The Tina Turner Musical.
Nominated for Best New Musical at the Olivier Awards 2019 with Mastercard, the musical reveals the untold story of global icon, Tina Turner, who dared to challenge the bounds of her age, gender and race.
From humble beginnings in Tennessee to rising up as the global Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Tina – The Tina Turner Musical features all your favourite showstopping songs. From River Deep – Mountain High to A Fool In Love, this stunning musical is well worth a watch at the Aldwych Theatre.
For exclusive performances and the inside scoop, check out our episode of Behind The Curtain with Tina – The Tina Turner Musical or boogie along to more of her iconic tracks over on our YouTube channel here.
Mamma Mia!
Enjoyed the movie and want to see the action live on stage? Or are you big ABBA fan and want to bop along to some of their iconic songs? Check out the trailer above – it’s one of the best feel-good musicals in London and we’re certain it’ll tick all the boxes!
More than two decades after it first premiered at the Prince of Wales Theatre, Mamma Mia! continues to offer theatre fans a bucket load of the feel-good factor at the Novello Theatre.
Set in stunning Greece, the hilarious and heartwarming story follows a young woman named Sophie who is planning her wedding. While her mother assists, the brides focus soon changes to tracking down her real father. Unbeknownst to her mother, Sophie ends up inviting three possible suspects to the wedding and they all turn up! Question is; which one will take her down the aisle and will any of them rekindle relations with her mother?
Featuring a number of ABBA’s most famous songs, Mamma Mia! is one of those musicals that you can keep returning to again and again because it simply never gets old! Like to see more? Head to Official London Theatre’s YouTube channel to watch exclusive performances and a Q&A with cast members here.
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Jac Yarrow had us dreaming of being at musicals in London again in last night’s incredible performance of Any Dream Will Do from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Over fifty years on from its release as a concept album, Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has well and truly taken its place as one of the world’s most loved family musicals. It’s hard to imagine that the multi-award-winning show began life as a small scale school concert, having since been performed in over 80 countries as far afield as Zimbabwe and Peru!
Lucky for us, the show is to be re-imagined in a spectacular new production to tell the story of Jacob’s favourite son, Joseph, and his eleven brothers. Sold into slavery out of the jealousy of his kin, Joseph finds himself in Egypt, where his reputation burgeons under Potiphar. But when he rejects the advances of Potiphar’s wife, Joseph is thrown into jail, where he discovers a unique ability to interpret dreams. Can he use this to resolve Egypt’s family and reunite with his family once more?
Starring Jason Donovan (as Pharaoh) and Jac Yarrow (as Joseph) and back by popular demand, the legendary musical promises to feature an epic score including renowned pop and musical theatre songs Any Dream Will Do, Close Every Door To Me, Jacob And Sons, There’s One More Angel In Heaven, and Go Go Go Joseph.
What are you waiting for? Check out the showstopping performance above and grab your tickets now so that you have something exciting to look forward to when musicals in London reopen.
If you’re uncertain which show to book but would like to support the industry and have something to look forward to, Theatre Tokens are a great alternative. They have no expiry date and can be used at more than 260 venues nationwide. Click here to find out more!
We hope this roundup has got you feeling super excited for all the incredible theatre that we have to look forward to but in the meantime, we’ve got plenty of things to keep you entertained. From our online calendar showcasing virtual theatre fixes to theatre quiz rounds and West End theatre spot the differences, there’s so much fun to be had. If what you’re looking for is more along the lines of interviews, performances and behind-the-scenes exclusives, don’t forget to check out our Official London Theatre YouTube channel here.