Top London Shows - September 2015
by Kate Goldstone on Tuesday 1 September 2015, 6:31 pm in Top London Shows
Despite a remarkably soggy, rainy August, thousands of you flocked to the West End to take in a show during the school summer holidays. Here are the most popular theatre hits for the previous month, a list of twelve hard-hitters that inspired huge audiences and drove sell-out seasons. Some are new, many are returning to our chart after a short absence, others hop in and out of our top 12 like a jack-in-the-box... but they're all unforgettable.
1. Farinelli and The King
Starring the wonderful Mark Rylance, who scored a huge hit with the Wolf Hall mini-series on telly earlier this year, Farinelli and the King has won countless hearts and minds since it opened. And we're running a very special offer right now. If you want to see Mr Rylance, more or less a living theatrical legend, in action for a bargain price we have a no booking fee offer right now, with tickets from just a tenner. An unforgettable story and an unforgettable cast – what's not to like?
Farinelli and The King Tickets
Starring the wonderful Mark Rylance, who scored a huge hit with the Wolf Hall mini-series on telly earlier this year, Farinelli and the King has won countless hearts and minds since it opened. And we're running a very special offer right now. If you want to see Mr Rylance, more or less a living theatrical legend, in action for a bargain price we have a no booking fee offer right now, with tickets from just a tenner. An unforgettable story and an unforgettable cast – what's not to like?
Farinelli and The King Tickets
2. The Book of Mormon
Fancy having your funny bones tickled good and proper? This delightful musical is back in our chart again after a short absence, this time at number two thanks to our special no booking fee offer. The New York Times calls it 'the best musical of this century', an impressive accolade, and it has won a monster nine Tony awards including Best Musical. Laugh? You will... a lot. If you adored South Park and giggled yourself silly at Avenue Q, this one's for you.
The Book of Mormon Tickets
Fancy having your funny bones tickled good and proper? This delightful musical is back in our chart again after a short absence, this time at number two thanks to our special no booking fee offer. The New York Times calls it 'the best musical of this century', an impressive accolade, and it has won a monster nine Tony awards including Best Musical. Laugh? You will... a lot. If you adored South Park and giggled yourself silly at Avenue Q, this one's for you.
The Book of Mormon Tickets
3. Horrible Histories - Barmy Britain Part 3
You only have 5 days left before this splendidly silly and hugely entertaining show closes. It's been delighting the school kids through the summer holidays with its quirky take on King John and the Magna Carta, the Puritans, the great fire of London, nutty King Charles and Lord Nelson. This is history but not as we know it, a brilliantly creative way to interest young minds in old stuff. Head for the Garrick and laugh your hat off with your little 'uns.
Horrible Histories - Barmy Britain Part 3 Tickets
You only have 5 days left before this splendidly silly and hugely entertaining show closes. It's been delighting the school kids through the summer holidays with its quirky take on King John and the Magna Carta, the Puritans, the great fire of London, nutty King Charles and Lord Nelson. This is history but not as we know it, a brilliantly creative way to interest young minds in old stuff. Head for the Garrick and laugh your hat off with your little 'uns.
Horrible Histories - Barmy Britain Part 3 Tickets
4. The Play That Goes Wrong
More laughter? No problem. There's another of our special no booking fee offers available for this show, cutting the price of giggling yourself into a state of hysteria right down, but this time for grown-ups. It's a classic tale: take one terrible theatre company, a bunch of amateurs who are more amateur than most. Then imagine what can go wrong and you've nailed this wonderfully funny play. The Daily Mail's critic said it was so funny they feared they might 'start to hyperventilate'. Don't miss it!
The Play That Goes Wrong Tickets
More laughter? No problem. There's another of our special no booking fee offers available for this show, cutting the price of giggling yourself into a state of hysteria right down, but this time for grown-ups. It's a classic tale: take one terrible theatre company, a bunch of amateurs who are more amateur than most. Then imagine what can go wrong and you've nailed this wonderfully funny play. The Daily Mail's critic said it was so funny they feared they might 'start to hyperventilate'. Don't miss it!
The Play That Goes Wrong Tickets
5. The Lion King
As we expected, The Lion King zoomed up our chart from number nine last time to number five this time around. It's a summer school holiday thing, no surprise since this show has been a firm favourite with kids for years and years. Better still, we have a no booking fee offer for you, perfect for giving your kids a treat if they haven't seen the stage show yet. Simba, Mufasa, Scar and the rest of the gang await you...
The Lion King Tickets
As we expected, The Lion King zoomed up our chart from number nine last time to number five this time around. It's a summer school holiday thing, no surprise since this show has been a firm favourite with kids for years and years. Better still, we have a no booking fee offer for you, perfect for giving your kids a treat if they haven't seen the stage show yet. Simba, Mufasa, Scar and the rest of the gang await you...
The Lion King Tickets
6. Gypsy The Musical
Starring the fabulous Imelda Staunton, Gypsy is a 1959 musical with tunes by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. This week's number six, it has fulfilled expectations as Jonathan Kent's revival of one of the best ever Broadway musicals and is drawing huge crowds. The season has already been extended and now runs until 28th November 2015, giving theatre lovers another chance to raise the rafters. Imelda Staunton, by the way, has absolutely nailed her role, to considerable critical acclaim...
Gypsy The Musical Tickets
Starring the fabulous Imelda Staunton, Gypsy is a 1959 musical with tunes by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. This week's number six, it has fulfilled expectations as Jonathan Kent's revival of one of the best ever Broadway musicals and is drawing huge crowds. The season has already been extended and now runs until 28th November 2015, giving theatre lovers another chance to raise the rafters. Imelda Staunton, by the way, has absolutely nailed her role, to considerable critical acclaim...
Gypsy The Musical Tickets
7. Charlie and The Chocolate Factory
This gloriously funny, touching and imaginative musical takes the biscuit, entering our top 12 theatre shows chart yet again after a short gap. It's an old favourite, a show that pops in and out of the chart regularly as successive generations of children get to enjoy its spectacular stage sets, amazing costumes and powerful show tunes. And it's our show of the month for September, with bargain tickets on sale at as much as 37% off!
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory Tickets
This gloriously funny, touching and imaginative musical takes the biscuit, entering our top 12 theatre shows chart yet again after a short gap. It's an old favourite, a show that pops in and out of the chart regularly as successive generations of children get to enjoy its spectacular stage sets, amazing costumes and powerful show tunes. And it's our show of the month for September, with bargain tickets on sale at as much as 37% off!
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory Tickets
8. Let It Be
Last time it was at number six. This time it's number eight, a show-stopper of a jukebox musical starring a bunch of musicians so good you'd be forgiven for thinking they really are the Beatles. Britain's best-loved boy band, whose music formed the soundtrack of the 1960s, continue to deliver awesome songs with brilliant lyrics, legendary foot-tappers to sing along to. If you love the Beatles, whether you were around in the swinging '60s or not, you'll never forget it.
Let It Be Tickets
Last time it was at number six. This time it's number eight, a show-stopper of a jukebox musical starring a bunch of musicians so good you'd be forgiven for thinking they really are the Beatles. Britain's best-loved boy band, whose music formed the soundtrack of the 1960s, continue to deliver awesome songs with brilliant lyrics, legendary foot-tappers to sing along to. If you love the Beatles, whether you were around in the swinging '60s or not, you'll never forget it.
Let It Be Tickets
9. Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games
At number 4 in our chart last time, this epic swan-song of a dance production has found its way into thousands of hearts. It's big, it's loud, it's incredibly precise and it'll absolutely blow your socks off. There's passion, there's drama, there's fiery emotion... and it's packed with all the eye-popping precision and thrills of Flatley's original. New costumes and new choreography, but the same thrills. Fabulous.
Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games Tickets
At number 4 in our chart last time, this epic swan-song of a dance production has found its way into thousands of hearts. It's big, it's loud, it's incredibly precise and it'll absolutely blow your socks off. There's passion, there's drama, there's fiery emotion... and it's packed with all the eye-popping precision and thrills of Flatley's original. New costumes and new choreography, but the same thrills. Fabulous.
Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games Tickets
10. Wicked
It's back again, another top 12 London theatre shows classic that keeps on giving. Immensely popular with teens, the show weaves the untold Story of the Witches of Oz, the same witches from the famous film, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a top-selling book by Winnie Holzman. The show reveals the special relationship between the wicked witch Elphaba and Glinda the Good. Hold onto your pointy hats and enjoy the ride!
Wicked Tickets
It's back again, another top 12 London theatre shows classic that keeps on giving. Immensely popular with teens, the show weaves the untold Story of the Witches of Oz, the same witches from the famous film, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a top-selling book by Winnie Holzman. The show reveals the special relationship between the wicked witch Elphaba and Glinda the Good. Hold onto your pointy hats and enjoy the ride!
Wicked Tickets
11. Sinatra
Our show of the month for August, Sinatra enters our chart at number eleven, proving the power of the life story of Old Blue Eyes and the honeyed voice that brought millions of people happily to their knees. Celebrating the great man's centenary, it's an extraordinary new multi-media concert packed with rare footage, backed by a 24 piece orchestra and enhanced by spectacular choreography. 65 years after his UK stage debut, Frank still has the power to move.
Sinatra Tickets
Our show of the month for August, Sinatra enters our chart at number eleven, proving the power of the life story of Old Blue Eyes and the honeyed voice that brought millions of people happily to their knees. Celebrating the great man's centenary, it's an extraordinary new multi-media concert packed with rare footage, backed by a 24 piece orchestra and enhanced by spectacular choreography. 65 years after his UK stage debut, Frank still has the power to move.
Sinatra Tickets
12. Miss Saigon
At number 8 last time, this show-stopping romantic tragedy of a musical hangs onto a number 12 position this month. Miss Saigon is written by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil, with lyrics by Boublil and Richard Maltby Junior. Based on Puccini's Madame Butterfly, it's a moving, sweet and painful tale of love and rejection in war-torn Vietnam, where a young American soldier falls for a Vietnamese prostitute while stationed in Saigon. Bring a hanky.
Miss Saigon Tickets
At number 8 last time, this show-stopping romantic tragedy of a musical hangs onto a number 12 position this month. Miss Saigon is written by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil, with lyrics by Boublil and Richard Maltby Junior. Based on Puccini's Madame Butterfly, it's a moving, sweet and painful tale of love and rejection in war-torn Vietnam, where a young American soldier falls for a Vietnamese prostitute while stationed in Saigon. Bring a hanky.
Miss Saigon Tickets
September usually heralds a sea-change in our chart as the children go back to school and the capital returns to its non-holiday norm. We're looking forward to seeing which shows are the most popular this month, which enter our chart for the first time and which disappear. There are plenty of brand new shows on the horizon and masses of theatre fun to be had in the glittering West End. We'll see you soon!