Top London Shows - December 2014
by Kate Goldstone on Tuesday 2 December 2014, 11:03 am in Top London Shows
Our top 12 West End shows for last month clearly represented the start of the festive season, with White Christmas the musical at the top of the heap and another classic Christmas favourite, The Lion King, at number four. With only a few weeks left before the big day, what's in our chart for December 2014? If you're looking for theatreland inspiration, take a look at the shows our customers have voted into the top slots this time around...
1. White Christmas
Irving Berlin's classic seasonal extravaganza closes on January 3rd, once the festivities are well and truly over, but until then it rules our December theatre smash hits roost with a second month at number one. It's one of the best loved holiday musicals on earth, a feast of popular Christmas tunes set to a story everyone adores, whatever their age: Happy Holidays, Sisters, Blue Skies, White Christmas itself and loads more... how can you resist?
White Christmas Tickets
Irving Berlin's classic seasonal extravaganza closes on January 3rd, once the festivities are well and truly over, but until then it rules our December theatre smash hits roost with a second month at number one. It's one of the best loved holiday musicals on earth, a feast of popular Christmas tunes set to a story everyone adores, whatever their age: Happy Holidays, Sisters, Blue Skies, White Christmas itself and loads more... how can you resist?
White Christmas Tickets
2. Sunny Afternoon
Last month's number six, the fascinating story of the Kinks roars up our chart to this month's number two. 'Feel good' shows always do particularly well at Christmas and this is no exception, a chart hit song-studded exploration of the band's life and times, from rags to riches, from obscurity to fame and fortune. With music and lyrics by Ray Davies and a book by Joe Penhall, it's directed to perfection by Edward Hall.
Sunny Afternoon Tickets
Last month's number six, the fascinating story of the Kinks roars up our chart to this month's number two. 'Feel good' shows always do particularly well at Christmas and this is no exception, a chart hit song-studded exploration of the band's life and times, from rags to riches, from obscurity to fame and fortune. With music and lyrics by Ray Davies and a book by Joe Penhall, it's directed to perfection by Edward Hall.
Sunny Afternoon Tickets
3. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
At number three in our list for the second month running, this deliciously quirky play is back with a vengeance for Christmas after masses of our theatre loving customers flocked to see it last month. Based on Mark Haddon's award-winning novel, cleverly adapted for the stage by Simon Stephens and very ably directed by Marianne Elliott, it's no wonder this lovely story is attracting festive attention.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Tickets
At number three in our list for the second month running, this deliciously quirky play is back with a vengeance for Christmas after masses of our theatre loving customers flocked to see it last month. Based on Mark Haddon's award-winning novel, cleverly adapted for the stage by Simon Stephens and very ably directed by Marianne Elliott, it's no wonder this lovely story is attracting festive attention.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Tickets
4. Jersey Boys
Another band's amazing story of rags to riches and obscurity to fame is covered in this excellent musical, a gritty exploration of the life and times of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Down from number two in our November 2014 chart, it remains a big festive hitter for December. Expect a musical that's studded with glittering chart hits. If you adore a great jukebox musical presented in compelling documentary-style, this one's for you.
Jersey Boys Tickets
Another band's amazing story of rags to riches and obscurity to fame is covered in this excellent musical, a gritty exploration of the life and times of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Down from number two in our November 2014 chart, it remains a big festive hitter for December. Expect a musical that's studded with glittering chart hits. If you adore a great jukebox musical presented in compelling documentary-style, this one's for you.
Jersey Boys Tickets
5. The Play That Goes Wrong
At number 7 last time, our great flash sale in early November offered very special ticket prices for this splendid show, with up to 31% off face value. And our customers bought in their
hundreds, all keen to see this side-splitter of a play about the hapless, chaotic Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society, whose flawed attempt to put on a 1920s murder mystery goes as wrong as it possibly can at every possible stage. Brilliantly funny!
The Play That Goes Wrong Tickets
At number 7 last time, our great flash sale in early November offered very special ticket prices for this splendid show, with up to 31% off face value. And our customers bought in their
hundreds, all keen to see this side-splitter of a play about the hapless, chaotic Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society, whose flawed attempt to put on a 1920s murder mystery goes as wrong as it possibly can at every possible stage. Brilliantly funny!
The Play That Goes Wrong Tickets
6. The Book of Mormon
Theatregoers love nothing better than a laugh a minute at this time of year, which is why this ridiculously funny, wonderfully silly play has shot up from number 11 in November's list.
It's written by the creators of South Park, Matt Stone and Trey Parker, cheekily billed as 'God's favourite musical', highly irreverent and hilariously funny. The winner of four 2014 Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical and Best Actor In A Musical, it's a side-splitter of a festive treat.
The Book of Mormon Tickets
Theatregoers love nothing better than a laugh a minute at this time of year, which is why this ridiculously funny, wonderfully silly play has shot up from number 11 in November's list.
It's written by the creators of South Park, Matt Stone and Trey Parker, cheekily billed as 'God's favourite musical', highly irreverent and hilariously funny. The winner of four 2014 Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical and Best Actor In A Musical, it's a side-splitter of a festive treat.
The Book of Mormon Tickets
7. Thriller Live
At number 12 last time around, December sees Michael Jackson's fabulous soul, funk and disco tunes hit number seven in our chart for December. A non-stop feast of the great man's greatest hits, played one after another, it's the ultimate feel-good show. Forget his life story, his tragedy, his extremes, his eccentricities... this show puts Jackson's music at its heart and the result is totally unforgettable. Blame it on the boogie!
Thriller Live Tickets
At number 12 last time around, December sees Michael Jackson's fabulous soul, funk and disco tunes hit number seven in our chart for December. A non-stop feast of the great man's greatest hits, played one after another, it's the ultimate feel-good show. Forget his life story, his tragedy, his extremes, his eccentricities... this show puts Jackson's music at its heart and the result is totally unforgettable. Blame it on the boogie!
Thriller Live Tickets
8. Wicked
Up one place to take the number eight slot this month, Wicked is drawing bigger crowds than ever during the run-up to the festive season. There's nothing quite like a fairy tale to whisk you away from everyday reality. If you and the family are in the market for a flight of fancy that's fast becoming a stage classic, grab your bag of spells and head for theatreland this Christmas. The witches, both wicked and good, await you.
Wicked Tickets
Up one place to take the number eight slot this month, Wicked is drawing bigger crowds than ever during the run-up to the festive season. There's nothing quite like a fairy tale to whisk you away from everyday reality. If you and the family are in the market for a flight of fancy that's fast becoming a stage classic, grab your bag of spells and head for theatreland this Christmas. The witches, both wicked and good, await you.
Wicked Tickets
9. Neville's Island
This beautifully silly play was number 8 in last month's top 12 London shows chart, due to close on 3rd January. If you've ever worked in a corporate environment or been sent on a team building exercise, you'll recognise the situation. Written by Tim Firth, the cast is legendary with four of Britain's favourite comedians giving your funny bone a jolly good work-out: Adrian Edmondson, Miles Jupp, Robert Webb and Neil Morrissey. Need we say more?
Neville's Island Tickets
This beautifully silly play was number 8 in last month's top 12 London shows chart, due to close on 3rd January. If you've ever worked in a corporate environment or been sent on a team building exercise, you'll recognise the situation. Written by Tim Firth, the cast is legendary with four of Britain's favourite comedians giving your funny bone a jolly good work-out: Adrian Edmondson, Miles Jupp, Robert Webb and Neil Morrissey. Need we say more?
Neville's Island Tickets
10. Charlie and The Chocolate Factory
Fresh into our chart after a long absence, Charlie and his remarkable chocolate factory are back in our chart for Christmas. Sam Mendes has created a masterpiece loved by grown ups and children alike with magical stage sets, amazing costumes and a story faithful to Roald Dahl's 1964 children's book, a story that changed the face of kids' literature forever. Wonderful, wonderful stuff... don't miss it!
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory Tickets
Fresh into our chart after a long absence, Charlie and his remarkable chocolate factory are back in our chart for Christmas. Sam Mendes has created a masterpiece loved by grown ups and children alike with magical stage sets, amazing costumes and a story faithful to Roald Dahl's 1964 children's book, a story that changed the face of kids' literature forever. Wonderful, wonderful stuff... don't miss it!
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory Tickets
11. Phantom of the Opera
Another regular returner that keeps popping in and out of our chart, the phantom is back for the festive season. Highs and lows, powerful emotions, stunning stage sets and some of the best-loved show tunes on the planet await you. The French writer Gaston Leroux, who wrote the story as a series more than a century ago, would have been amazed and delighted by its twenty five year stage success, and it's just as popular as ever.
Phantom of the Opera Tickets
Another regular returner that keeps popping in and out of our chart, the phantom is back for the festive season. Highs and lows, powerful emotions, stunning stage sets and some of the best-loved show tunes on the planet await you. The French writer Gaston Leroux, who wrote the story as a series more than a century ago, would have been amazed and delighted by its twenty five year stage success, and it's just as popular as ever.
Phantom of the Opera Tickets
12. King Charles III
New in at number twelve, this thought provoking play closes on 3rd January. What will happen when the current British queen dies? After a lifetime of waiting, prince Charles ascends the throne at long last. But how might he rule? Mike Bartlett’s controversial new play looks closely at the personalities beneath all the pomp, circumstance and quirky unwritten rules of British democracy. Absolutely fascinating!
King Charles III Tickets
New in at number twelve, this thought provoking play closes on 3rd January. What will happen when the current British queen dies? After a lifetime of waiting, prince Charles ascends the throne at long last. But how might he rule? Mike Bartlett’s controversial new play looks closely at the personalities beneath all the pomp, circumstance and quirky unwritten rules of British democracy. Absolutely fascinating!
King Charles III Tickets
January always sees a bunch of shows closing down and a new batch opening up. Check back in early 2015 to see how our top 12 West End theatre shows chart has changed. Because it's driven by the tickets that you – our customers – buy, it directly reflects the plays, musicals and comedies you rate the highest. If you're looking for guidance about which theatreland show to see, you can't do much better. In the meantime, we'd like to wish you an excellent winter break and a very happy and prosperous New Year.