Top London Shows - March 2016
by Kate Goldstone on Wednesday 2 March 2016, 10:19 am in Top London Shows
What does our top twelve shows chart for the previous month look like? With the first taste of spring in the air at last, the capital is filling up with tourists and the West End is drawing thousands of visitors every night. They're drawn, like moths to a flame, by a fresh crop of brilliant nerw shows plus a host of irresistible old favourites. Here's our latest best-selling theatre shows chart.
1. The Painkiller
Opening on 5th March, The Painkiller is a remarkably fine play by Sean Foley, adapted from Francis Veber's Le Contrat. The adaptation raised the roof at its world première, which took place at Belfast's the Lyric Theatre in autumn 2011. With theatre legends Kenneth Branagh and Rob Brydon in the driving seat, it's set to sell out at the Garrick Theatre. Don't miss this classic in the making.
The Painkiller Tickets
Opening on 5th March, The Painkiller is a remarkably fine play by Sean Foley, adapted from Francis Veber's Le Contrat. The adaptation raised the roof at its world première, which took place at Belfast's the Lyric Theatre in autumn 2011. With theatre legends Kenneth Branagh and Rob Brydon in the driving seat, it's set to sell out at the Garrick Theatre. Don't miss this classic in the making.
The Painkiller Tickets
2. Motown the Musical
Do you love sweet soul music? Motown The Musical reveals the amazing tale of Berry Gordy and his legendary record label. Thanks to him Diana Ross and the Supremes, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and more enriched our lives. The show features a massive eighteen piece orchestra, playing fifty classic Motown tunes including Ain’t No Mountain High Enough and I Heard It Through The Grapevine. Wow.
Motown the Musical Tickets
Do you love sweet soul music? Motown The Musical reveals the amazing tale of Berry Gordy and his legendary record label. Thanks to him Diana Ross and the Supremes, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and more enriched our lives. The show features a massive eighteen piece orchestra, playing fifty classic Motown tunes including Ain’t No Mountain High Enough and I Heard It Through The Grapevine. Wow.
Motown the Musical Tickets
3. The Book of Mormon
Down one place on last month, the writers of the outrageous cult cartoon South Park are behind this seriously funny show. It's a clever religious satire of a musical complete with a book, lyrics, and music by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. You will laugh your socks off as a pair of hapless missionaries are led a dance and a half by the native people they're trying to convert. It's been making us laugh since 2011 and show no signs of slowing.
The Book of Mormon Tickets
Down one place on last month, the writers of the outrageous cult cartoon South Park are behind this seriously funny show. It's a clever religious satire of a musical complete with a book, lyrics, and music by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. You will laugh your socks off as a pair of hapless missionaries are led a dance and a half by the native people they're trying to convert. It's been making us laugh since 2011 and show no signs of slowing.
The Book of Mormon Tickets
4. Red Velvet
Kenneth Branagh is at the helm again for the latest in his cracking season, Plays at the Garrick. The piece is set way back in 1833, at the Theatre Royal, when Edmund Kean, the greatest actor of his time, collapses on stage playing Othello. A young black American actor is asked to take the role. There's a revolution raging outside as slavery is abolished. How will the cast, critics and audience react inside the theatre? Come and see.
Red Velvet Tickets
Kenneth Branagh is at the helm again for the latest in his cracking season, Plays at the Garrick. The piece is set way back in 1833, at the Theatre Royal, when Edmund Kean, the greatest actor of his time, collapses on stage playing Othello. A young black American actor is asked to take the role. There's a revolution raging outside as slavery is abolished. How will the cast, critics and audience react inside the theatre? Come and see.
Red Velvet Tickets
5. The Maids
Two maids fantasise about killing their employer. Now there's a premise! We're offering as much as 43% off tickets for The Maids, so fill your boots while the offer lasts. Your venue is Trafalgar Studios, and the piece stars Uzo Aduba, Zawe Ashton and Laura Carmichael. It's the Jamie Lloyd Company's first production of the year and it's a fresh take on Jean Genet's masterpiece, a contemporary interpretation and the first time the play has hit the London stage in two decades.
The Maids Tickets
Two maids fantasise about killing their employer. Now there's a premise! We're offering as much as 43% off tickets for The Maids, so fill your boots while the offer lasts. Your venue is Trafalgar Studios, and the piece stars Uzo Aduba, Zawe Ashton and Laura Carmichael. It's the Jamie Lloyd Company's first production of the year and it's a fresh take on Jean Genet's masterpiece, a contemporary interpretation and the first time the play has hit the London stage in two decades.
The Maids Tickets
6. The Lion King
The musical based on the 1994 Disney animated film of the same name, with tunes by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice, is still one of the most popular children’s shows in town. A Disney Theatrical Productions musical, it debuted in the West End way back in 1999. Seventeen years later it's still going strong, fuelled by a constant stream of new kids seeing it for the first time, as well as returners who've seen it many, many times. A huge treat.
The Lion King Tickets
The musical based on the 1994 Disney animated film of the same name, with tunes by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice, is still one of the most popular children’s shows in town. A Disney Theatrical Productions musical, it debuted in the West End way back in 1999. Seventeen years later it's still going strong, fuelled by a constant stream of new kids seeing it for the first time, as well as returners who've seen it many, many times. A huge treat.
The Lion King Tickets
7. The Play That Goes Wrong
Grab our special no booking fee offer and get a bargain of a night out, enjoying one of the funniest shows in the capital. The premise is simple: an amateur dramatics society is putting on a play... or they're trying to. The thing is, they're rubbish at it, in every imaginable way, and the resulting hilarity will have you rolling in the aisles. It's all very, very silly, in the fine British tradition of supreme silliness, an absolute hoot and last month's number six.
The Play That Goes Wrong Tickets
Grab our special no booking fee offer and get a bargain of a night out, enjoying one of the funniest shows in the capital. The premise is simple: an amateur dramatics society is putting on a play... or they're trying to. The thing is, they're rubbish at it, in every imaginable way, and the resulting hilarity will have you rolling in the aisles. It's all very, very silly, in the fine British tradition of supreme silliness, an absolute hoot and last month's number six.
The Play That Goes Wrong Tickets
8. Beautiful, The Carole King Musical
The amazing story of the legendary songbird Carole King is still drawing the crowds in town, and we have an excellent money-off offer right now. Get your tickets for Beautiful at a generous 39% off until the end of March, and sing your heart out to some of the loveliest chart tunes of a generation. Expect a wonderful jukebox musical with a book by Douglas McGrath, which delves deep into the heart of one of the greatest singer-songwriters of our times.
Beautiful, The Carole King Musical Tickets
The amazing story of the legendary songbird Carole King is still drawing the crowds in town, and we have an excellent money-off offer right now. Get your tickets for Beautiful at a generous 39% off until the end of March, and sing your heart out to some of the loveliest chart tunes of a generation. Expect a wonderful jukebox musical with a book by Douglas McGrath, which delves deep into the heart of one of the greatest singer-songwriters of our times.
Beautiful, The Carole King Musical Tickets
9. Charlie and The Chocolate Factory
Last month's number three and on stage since summer 2013 with no signs of slowing, this is a wonderful, magical musical. We're selling Charlie tickets at up to 25% off if you book by the end of March. Penned by David Greig, with music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, it's inspired by the fantastical adventures of Mr Willy Wonka, Charlie Bucket and his granddad, based on Roald Dahl's children's book of the same name. An absolute delight!
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory Tickets
Last month's number three and on stage since summer 2013 with no signs of slowing, this is a wonderful, magical musical. We're selling Charlie tickets at up to 25% off if you book by the end of March. Penned by David Greig, with music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, it's inspired by the fantastical adventures of Mr Willy Wonka, Charlie Bucket and his granddad, based on Roald Dahl's children's book of the same name. An absolute delight!
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory Tickets
10. The End of Longing
With tickets on sale at as much as 60% off, you can't afford not to see this excellent play. It's a dark comedy written by Matthew Perry, of Friends fame, and he's obviously a multi-talented chap. This marks the actor's playwriting début and it enjoyed its West End and world première at the at the Playhouse Theatre last month. Better still, he leads the cast in this extremely fast and bitter-sweet comedy, directed by the legendary Lindsay Posner.
The End of Longing Tickets
With tickets on sale at as much as 60% off, you can't afford not to see this excellent play. It's a dark comedy written by Matthew Perry, of Friends fame, and he's obviously a multi-talented chap. This marks the actor's playwriting début and it enjoyed its West End and world première at the at the Playhouse Theatre last month. Better still, he leads the cast in this extremely fast and bitter-sweet comedy, directed by the legendary Lindsay Posner.
The End of Longing Tickets
11. Doctor Faustus
The show opens in April, but Doctor Faustus is already in our top 12 chart. No wonder when it stars the dark and brooding Kit Harington from Game of Thrones. The production has been widely praised for its innovative, anarchic reinvention of the classic tale, with The Jamie Lloyd Company in the driving seat. Christopher Marlowe’s play has never been so explosive. If you thought instant gratification was a 21st century thing, think again... blackly comic, dynamic, fantastic.
Doctor Faustus Tickets
The show opens in April, but Doctor Faustus is already in our top 12 chart. No wonder when it stars the dark and brooding Kit Harington from Game of Thrones. The production has been widely praised for its innovative, anarchic reinvention of the classic tale, with The Jamie Lloyd Company in the driving seat. Christopher Marlowe’s play has never been so explosive. If you thought instant gratification was a 21st century thing, think again... blackly comic, dynamic, fantastic.
Doctor Faustus Tickets
12. Kinky Boots
The musical is based on a true story, now it's making waves at the Adelphi Theatre, playing to rave reviews with music by Tony and Grammy-winner Cyndi Lauper. Non-stop sing-along fun awaits you, telling the compelling tale of a struggling shoe factory owner who discovers a quirky and extremely popular new market for his wares.
Kinky Boots Tickets
The musical is based on a true story, now it's making waves at the Adelphi Theatre, playing to rave reviews with music by Tony and Grammy-winner Cyndi Lauper. Non-stop sing-along fun awaits you, telling the compelling tale of a struggling shoe factory owner who discovers a quirky and extremely popular new market for his wares.
Kinky Boots Tickets
Sunny Afternoon is our Show of the Month this time around, with tickets at up to 50% off. Spring always brings a flurry of new shows, and we tend to get the same happening in our chart – it might well be 'all change' next time around. Come back in April to find out what's hottest, which show tickets are selling best, what shows are the most popular in town. Plus we have frequent generous money-off show tickets offers to take advantage of. We'll see you in thetreland!