Theatre

New musicals in London’s West End this spring

“Four weeks, you rehearse and rehearse, Three weeks and it couldn’t be worse, One week, will it ever be right? Then out o’ the hat, it’s that big first night!” Another Op’nin’, Another Show – Kiss Me Kate

The New Year hasn’t just brought new hairstyles, diets and fitness regimes, it’s also brought an exciting line up of brand new musicals which will light up the West End over the next couple of months.

For your convenience and reading pleasure, here’s a rundown of our top new arrivals….

If you’re a fan of Harry Hill, you should see I Can’t Sing (photo above)

Calling all fans and closet fans of TV talent shows (we know you watch them on catch up when no one is looking…we won’t tell anyone). I CAN’T SING! is the irrepressible new musical comedy that goes behind the microphones and under the judges’ desks to reveal big bust ups, huge voices and love stories galore. Written by much-loved comedy superstar Harry Hill, the production promises to be irreverent, mischievous, packed full of side splittingly funny songs, eye popping sets and some pretty funny characters. It also promises to be ‘bonkersly brilliant’ which is an excellent phrase, so bonus points for that.

If you love mischief, you’ll love Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Sophisticated, suave with a good dash of mischief, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels the Musical arrived at the Savoy Theatre this month. Based on the classic comedy film starring Sir Michael Caine and Mr Steve Martin, be transported to the French Riviera and its decadent underworld, as two seasoned swindlers played by the amazing Robert Lindsay and comedian Rufus Hound, attempt to hoodwink a millionaire heiress. As the pair compete in the true art of the con, they discover there is only room for one of them. To be honest, we’ve got room in our lives for both of them.

If you like epic musicals like Les Miserables, you can’t miss Miss Saigon

The heat is on in Saigon, otherwise known as the Prince Edward Theatre, as Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed new production makes its highly anticipated return to the West End this May. For non-fans, this epic love story tells the tragic tale of young bar girl Kim, orphaned by war, who falls in love with an American GI called Chris – but their lives are torn apart by the fall of Saigon. Fans, we know what you’re all thinking – how are they going to do the helicopter scene this time? There’s only one way to find out.

If you like a feel good musical, don’t miss The Pajama Game

There’s something about the word Pajama that makes us feel warm inside. We’re sure that Richard Eyreʼs sensational production of the Broadway classic The Pajama Game will bring equal feelings when it arrives in the West End for a limited season this May. Romance is blossoming at the Sleep-Tite Pajama Factory as handsome new Superintendent Sid Sorokin falls head-over-heels for feisty Union rep, Babe Williams. But when the employees are refused a seven-and-a-half cents an hour pay raise, the pair find themselves riotously at odds in this joyous musical comedy. Will love, eventually, conquer all? With names like Sid and Babe, how can it fail.

If you’re a fan of Grease, you’ll be a fan of Cool Rider

The ultimate Grease sequel, cool rider arrives in the West End for one week only this April. Much like its musical prequel, the story follows the ancient High School motto: if you want the guy/girl, change your personality beyond recognition and wear overly tight leather in the finale. The concert features the hit song ‘Cool Rider’ (which will be sung precariously atop a step ladder without the aid of wires for safety), and will pay homage to the films sheer brilliance (and shortcomings) with many surprises along the way. So grab your leather jackets, book your tickets, rat that hair, hide those hickeys and head to the Duchess Theatre for this classic cult cinematic concert.

If you like a bit of satire, try (the award-winning) Urinetown

Here’s a musical that literally takes the piss. Urinetown is a hilarious satirical comedy which finally hits London after its Tony Award-winning Broadway success. Directed by Olivier Award-winner Jamie Lloyd and designed by Soutra Gilmour, it’s an epic tale of greed, corruption, love and revolution set in a time when water is worth its weight in gold. The plot unveils a city of the future that has been inflicted with a terrible drought. Business tycoon Cladwell has made his fortune through bribery and the monopolization of all public toilets. With a brutal police force maintaining law and order, it’s not a place to get caught short! Risk it and you will be sent off to a place no one returns from – the infamous Urinetown.

If you love a bit of farce, you should see Two Into One

Written and directed by the master of farce, Ray Cooney, get ready for extravagance at its best. The story follows George Pigden booking a hotel room for MP Richard Willey to meet his mistress. But the bumbling aide makes a series of disastrous mistakes, and extreme complications ensue…

Keep up to date with events in the West End here.