1. Jersey Boys
(http://www.jerseyboyslondon.com/jerseyboys_abouttheshow.asp)
Oliver! at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, which was last seen at the Palladium in 1994. Oliver! is one of the most beloved British musicals, vividly bringing to life Dickens' timeless characters with its ever-popular story of the boy who asked for more. The new production at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane is now more spectacular than ever before, with a cast and orchestra of over one hundred, including Rowan Atkinson?s show-stopping performance as Fagin until the 18th July. Award-winning actor and comedian Omid Djalili will star as Fagin from the 20th July 2009, along with Jodie Prenger as Nancy. The sensational score is full of Lionel Bart's irresistible songs including Food Glorious Food, Consider Yourself, You've Got to Pick-a-Pocket or Two, I'd Do Anything, Oom Pah Pah, As Long As He Needs Me and many more. Rupert Goold (Best Director, 2008 Olivier Awards), has restaged Sam Mendes' acclaimed production, and along with Tony award winning director and choreographer Matthew Bourne, uses every inch of London's greatest musical stage with even more sensational sets by Anthony Ward.
2. The Lion King
(http://www2.disney.co.uk/MusicalTheatre/TheLionKing/home/index.jsp)
The show brings the characters from the animated Disney film to life with imaginative costumes and amazing special effects. The Lion King has 25 species of animal, insect, fish and bird in its cast, represented by actors and puppets. You'll be astonished by the herds of full-size zebras and giraffes majestically filling the stage!
This uplifting adventure follows a fearless young lion cub called Simba as he learns about life on his journey to become King of the lions. It's a great show that's perfect for the whole family.
3. Wicked
(http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/)
Based on the acclaimed novel by Gregory Maguire that re-imagined the stories and characters created by L. Frank Baum in "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz", WICKED tells the incredible untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two girls who first meet as sorcery students. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
4. Wizard of Oz
(http://www.wizardofozthemusical.com/about/background/)
Follow the yellow brick road over the rainbow and into The London Palladium, the capital's home of the family musical. Starring Michael Crawford as The Wizard and Danielle Hope (winner of the BBC's smash hit Over The Rainbow) as Dorothy.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's new production of The Wizard of Oz is an enchanting adaptation of the all time classic, totally reconceived for the stage by the award-winning creative team that delighted audiences of all ages with their recent London Palladium revival of The Sound of Music.
5. Shrek the Musical
(http://www.shrekthemusical.co.uk/the-show/synopsis/)
Join Shrek (Nigel Lindsay), our unlikely hero, and his loyal steed Donkey (Richard Blackwood) as they set off on a quest to rescue the beautiful (if slightly temperamental) Princess Fiona (Amanda Holden) from her tower guarded by a fire breathing love-sick dragon. Lord Farquaad (Nigel Harman), a gang of fairytale misfits, and a biscuit with attitude, and you've got this year's must see new musical comedy
6. Phantom of the Opera
(http://www.thephantomoftheopera.com)
This unforgettable musical traces the tragic love story of a beautiful opera singer and a young composer shamed by his physical appearance into a shadowy existence beneath the majestic Paris Opera House. The combination of opulent sets and costumes, fabulous special effects and a spine-tingling score makes The Phantom of the Opera a theatre experience not to be missed.
7. Billy Elliot
(http://www.billyelliotthemusical.com/)
Billy is brought up by his father in a Northern mining town where boys are expected to box, not to dance, let alone have dreams of attending the Royal Ballet School.
After joining a ballet class Billy's inspirational dance teacher spots real talent and encourages Billy to apply to the Royal Ballet. This inspirational tale follows Billy in his triumph over adversity and his fight to prove his doubters wrong by going all the way.
8. We will Rock You
(http://www.wewillrockyou.co.uk/)
The time is the future, in a place that was once called Earth. Globalisation is complete! Everywhere, the kids watch the same movies, wear the same fashions and think the same thoughts. It's a safe, happy, Ga Ga world. Unless you're a rebel. Unless you want to Rock. On Planet Mall all the musical instruments are banned. The Company Computers generate tunes and everybody downloads them. It is an age of Boy Bands and of Girl Bands. Of Boy and Girl Bands. Of Girl Bands with a couple of boys in them that look like girls anyway. Nothing is left to chance, hits are scheduled years in advance. Caught in a landslide, no escape from reality. But Resistance is growing. Underneath the gleaming cities, down in the lower depths live the Bohemians. Rebels who believe that there was once a Golden Age when the kids formed their own bands and write their own songs. They call that time, The Rhapsody. Open your eyes, look up to the skies and see. Legend persists that somewhere on Planet Mall instruments still exist. Somewhere, the mighty axe of a great and hairy guitar god lies buried deep in rock. The Bohemians need a hero to find this axe and draw it from stone. Is the one who calls himself Galileo that man He's just a poor boy. From a poor family. But the Ga Ga Cops are also looking for Galileo and if they get him first they will surely drag him before the Killer Queen and consign him to Oblivion across the Seven Seas of Rhye. Who is Galileo? Where is the Hairy One's lost axe? Where is the place of living rock? Anyway the wind blows.
8. Les Misérables
(http://www.lesmis.com)
The longest running production is in London where it played 7,602 performances at the Palace Theatre before transferring to the Queen's Theatre where it opened on 3th April 2004. It is now the world's longest running musical.
- In October of 2008 it celebrated its 23rd Birthday and its 9,000th performance was on 10th August 2007.
- There are approximately 101 cast and crew directly involved in every performance, not including front of house staff, and the huge back-up services including ticket sales, wardrobe staff, set contractors, maintenance, office staff, advertising and publicity.
- Each performance entails some 392 complete costumes consisting of some 1,782 items of clothing and 31 wigs.
10. War Horse
(http://warhorselondon.nationaltheatre.org.uk/)
At the outbreak of World War One, Joey, young Albert's beloved horse, is sold to the cavalry and shipped to France. He's soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary odyssey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in no man's land.
But Albert cannot forget Joey and, still not old enough to enlist, he embarks on a treacherous mission to the trenches to find him and bring him home. Actors, working with astonishing, life-sized puppets, lead us on this emotionally-charged journey through history.