Top 10 Theatre Productions
Top 10 Theatre Productions
1. Oliver! (http://www.oliverthemusical.com/the_show/)
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. Priscilla Queen of the Desert
(http://www.priscillathemusical.com/?gclid=CImW0NzC5pkCFRMFZgodgCNJQw)
If you?ve seen the Oscar®-winning movie The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, you?ll know that this spectacular new musical tells the hilarious and heart-warming story of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus (named Priscilla) and take their show to the middle of the Australian outback. These larger-than-life characters go in search of love and friendship, but end up finding more than they could ever have dreamed! Much-loved Australian actor Tony Sheldon repeats his award-winning performance as Bernadette and is joined by Britain?s very own adopted Aussie Jason Donovan as Tick and handsome young leading man Oliver Thornton as Adam. Helping out when things threaten to get out-of-hand is Clive Carter as Bob, the mechanic.
5. 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.
6. Hairspray
(http://www.shaftesbury-theatre.com/?gclid=CMiX5tXE5pkCFQO2FQodsy9MSQ
Michael Ball stars as ?Edna Turnblad?, leading the cast of the smash hit multi-award winning musical ?HAIRSPRAY?. The show introduces 22 year-old complete unknown Leanne Jones, making her first professional appearance, playing ?Tracy Turnblad? In Hairspray it's 1962 - the '50s are out and change is in the air. Baltimore's Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only one passion - to dance. She wins a spot on the local TV dance program. "The Corny Collins Show" and, overnight, is transformed from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity. But can a trendsetter in dance and fashion vanquish the program's reigning princess, win the heart of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a television show without denting her 'do? Only in Hairspray! Welcome to the '60s!
7. Grease (http://www.greasethemusical.co.uk/)
Meet Danny Zuko, member of the coolest gang, the T-Birds, at Rydell High and well known for sporting one of the largest quiffs in school! When his geeky summer fling Sandy turns up at school (how was he to know she would relocate from Australia?), Danny tries to be cool and give her the brush off.
A couple of milkshakes, a debauched school prom and 1 girlie sleepover later, Sandy turns up looking hotter than all the Pink Ladies put together! The stage is set for one fabulous finale...
8. Dirty Dancing (http://www.dirtydancinglondon.com/)
It's the summer of 1963, and 17 year old Frances 'Baby' Houseman is about to learn some major lessons in life as well as a thing or two about dancing. Find out more about the story of Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage here...
9. 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.
10. 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.