Top London Shows - September 2016
by Kate Goldstone on Monday 5 September 2016, 9:24 am in Top London Shows
This month's chart sees six productions from August sticking around, plus six newbies. It's your final chance to grab tickets for Funny Girl, which closes in October. How the Other Half Loves is closing at the beginning of October, another last chance. And Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, August's number six, is our show of the Month for September, with tickets on sale at as much as 37% off. Here are the twelve shows our customers loved most in August.
1. The Entertainer
The Entertainer is a three-act play by John Osborne, the creator of Look Back in Anger, written at the request of Laurence Olivier himself. First performed in 1957, it stars another angry man, this time the seedy middle aged Archie Rice, a music hall performer at the end of his career. Straight in at number one out of nowhere, it stars Kenneth Branagh, Phil Dunster, Gawn Grainger, Jonah Hauer-King, Crispin Letts, Sophie Mcshera And Greta Scacchi. Fantastic.
The Entertainer Tickets
The Entertainer is a three-act play by John Osborne, the creator of Look Back in Anger, written at the request of Laurence Olivier himself. First performed in 1957, it stars another angry man, this time the seedy middle aged Archie Rice, a music hall performer at the end of his career. Straight in at number one out of nowhere, it stars Kenneth Branagh, Phil Dunster, Gawn Grainger, Jonah Hauer-King, Crispin Letts, Sophie Mcshera And Greta Scacchi. Fantastic.
The Entertainer Tickets
2. The Book of Mormon
Before you get to your destination, you're full of confidence. You're certain of your abilities to bring Christianity to the people. Once you get there, you slowly realise the people are not going to fall in with your plans. This hilarious musical tells the tale of a couple of naïve Mormon missionaries whose grand plans to convert a remote Ugandan tribe unravel in the funniest imaginable way. Audiences really do laugh themselves silly. You will, too.
The Book of Mormon Tickets
Before you get to your destination, you're full of confidence. You're certain of your abilities to bring Christianity to the people. Once you get there, you slowly realise the people are not going to fall in with your plans. This hilarious musical tells the tale of a couple of naïve Mormon missionaries whose grand plans to convert a remote Ugandan tribe unravel in the funniest imaginable way. Audiences really do laugh themselves silly. You will, too.
The Book of Mormon Tickets
3. Funny Girl
This is the end of the line for the excellent Funny Girl, which closes on 8th October after a strictly limited run at The Savoy. It's a quirky 1963 musical with a book by Isobel Lennart, music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Bob Merrill, and it's back on the West End stage for the first time since the original Broadway hit transferred here in 1966. Welcome to the bitter-sweet story of the entertainer Fanny Brice and her tempestuous relationship with arch-gambler Nicky Arnstein.
Funny Girl Tickets
This is the end of the line for the excellent Funny Girl, which closes on 8th October after a strictly limited run at The Savoy. It's a quirky 1963 musical with a book by Isobel Lennart, music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Bob Merrill, and it's back on the West End stage for the first time since the original Broadway hit transferred here in 1966. Welcome to the bitter-sweet story of the entertainer Fanny Brice and her tempestuous relationship with arch-gambler Nicky Arnstein.
Funny Girl Tickets
4. Motown
This splendid and highly entertaining musical remains at number four for the second month running, a critically acclaimed exploration of the life and work of the wonderful Berry Gordy, a legend in his own lifetime. It's a factual piece inspired by Gordy's exceptional autobiography, To Be Loved: The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown, and it's absolutely dripping with sweet soul music. Sit back, sing along and enjoy the ride.
Motown Tickets
This splendid and highly entertaining musical remains at number four for the second month running, a critically acclaimed exploration of the life and work of the wonderful Berry Gordy, a legend in his own lifetime. It's a factual piece inspired by Gordy's exceptional autobiography, To Be Loved: The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown, and it's absolutely dripping with sweet soul music. Sit back, sing along and enjoy the ride.
Motown Tickets
5. Mamma Mia!
Abba tunes have always been brilliant dance floor fillers. They make you feel good, the melodies are beautiful and the harmonies unforgettable. This hugely popular musical weaves a series of smash hit Abba songs into a compelling tale of romance, a contemporary story set on a Greek island, starring a mother and daughter. Will she find out which of her mum's three lovers is her father? Come along and see.
Mamma Mia! Tickets
Abba tunes have always been brilliant dance floor fillers. They make you feel good, the melodies are beautiful and the harmonies unforgettable. This hugely popular musical weaves a series of smash hit Abba songs into a compelling tale of romance, a contemporary story set on a Greek island, starring a mother and daughter. Will she find out which of her mum's three lovers is her father? Come along and see.
Mamma Mia! Tickets
6. The Bodyguard
Number seven last time, it looks like audiences will always love The Bodyguard. It has been in and out of our top 12 for a long time, testament to its ongoing popularity. No wonder, when this is one of the greatest love stories of modern times, supported by a host of spine-tinglingly lovely tunes including, of course, the classic Whitney Houston tune I Will Always Love You. You will probably cry... but in a good way!
The Bodyguard Tickets
Number seven last time, it looks like audiences will always love The Bodyguard. It has been in and out of our top 12 for a long time, testament to its ongoing popularity. No wonder, when this is one of the greatest love stories of modern times, supported by a host of spine-tinglingly lovely tunes including, of course, the classic Whitney Houston tune I Will Always Love You. You will probably cry... but in a good way!
The Bodyguard Tickets
7. How The Other Half Loves
Number 3 in our chart last time and entering its final month, this wonderful play closes on 1st October. It's by Alan Ayckbourn, so you can expect plenty of farcical action in this cutting, witty tale of marital disharmony. Directed to perfection by the talented Alan Strachan, it's one of those plays that serious theatre lovers like to tick off their bucket list. Classy and intelligent, it's pure Ayckbourn at his acerbic best.
How The Other Half Loves Tickets
Number 3 in our chart last time and entering its final month, this wonderful play closes on 1st October. It's by Alan Ayckbourn, so you can expect plenty of farcical action in this cutting, witty tale of marital disharmony. Directed to perfection by the talented Alan Strachan, it's one of those plays that serious theatre lovers like to tick off their bucket list. Classy and intelligent, it's pure Ayckbourn at his acerbic best.
How The Other Half Loves Tickets
8. Beautiful – The Carole King Musical
Do you fancy experiencing a truly beautiful musical, studded with glittering tunes by Carole King? No problem. Better still, you can buy tickets from us at up to 35% off the usual price. Bargain! So far the show has won two Olivier Awards plus a wealth of critical acclaim. Expect all your best-loved King hits and a hugely talented cast, a jukebox musical you'll hold close to your heart for years to come. A must for King fans!
Beautiful – The Carole King Musical Tickets
Do you fancy experiencing a truly beautiful musical, studded with glittering tunes by Carole King? No problem. Better still, you can buy tickets from us at up to 35% off the usual price. Bargain! So far the show has won two Olivier Awards plus a wealth of critical acclaim. Expect all your best-loved King hits and a hugely talented cast, a jukebox musical you'll hold close to your heart for years to come. A must for King fans!
Beautiful – The Carole King Musical Tickets
9. Matilda The Musical
Number 12 last time, Matilda is up three places for September. It's one of those shows that comes into its own during the school holidays, as thousands of youngsters are treated to a feast of fun, silliness, giggles and that wonderful Roald Dahl irreverence, where almost all of the grown ups are appalling and the children rule the day. The brilliant Tim Minchin has penned the music and lyrics, making it even more special.
Matilda The Musical Tickets
Number 12 last time, Matilda is up three places for September. It's one of those shows that comes into its own during the school holidays, as thousands of youngsters are treated to a feast of fun, silliness, giggles and that wonderful Roald Dahl irreverence, where almost all of the grown ups are appalling and the children rule the day. The brilliant Tim Minchin has penned the music and lyrics, making it even more special.
Matilda The Musical Tickets
10. Les Miserables
Number 2 in August, Les Mis continues its relentless progress, attracting huge crowds as usual. More than 70 million theatregoers can't be wrong... this is one of the West End's all-time big hitters, a musical extravaganza with an extraordinarily wide appeal and a big, warm heart. Come along and lose yourself in one of the greatest stories of our times, set in France after the revolution, as thrilling as it is compelling, all set to stunning music.
Les Miserables Tickets
Number 2 in August, Les Mis continues its relentless progress, attracting huge crowds as usual. More than 70 million theatregoers can't be wrong... this is one of the West End's all-time big hitters, a musical extravaganza with an extraordinarily wide appeal and a big, warm heart. Come along and lose yourself in one of the greatest stories of our times, set in France after the revolution, as thrilling as it is compelling, all set to stunning music.
Les Miserables Tickets
11. The Play That Goes Wrong
Your funny bone is due for a tickle. This is the perfect solution, a play so silly it brings a smile to the most miserable face. A farce with a heart, it's all about a hapless, hopeless bunch of amateur drama fans whose efforts to put on a play lurch from disaster to catastrophe and back again, to hilarious effect. If you're feeling the early autumn blues, come along and give your laughing gear a good work-out. It'll have you in pieces.
The Play That Goes Wrong Tickets
Your funny bone is due for a tickle. This is the perfect solution, a play so silly it brings a smile to the most miserable face. A farce with a heart, it's all about a hapless, hopeless bunch of amateur drama fans whose efforts to put on a play lurch from disaster to catastrophe and back again, to hilarious effect. If you're feeling the early autumn blues, come along and give your laughing gear a good work-out. It'll have you in pieces.
The Play That Goes Wrong Tickets
12. Nice Fish
Number one last time, this quirky and crazy-funny play written by Mark Rylance and Louis Jenkins continues to delight. A sell-out run in New York was only the start of it. Nice Fish has also captured the hearts and minds of British audiences, in part thanks to Rylance and Jim Lichtscheidls' brilliantly amusing delivery. Welcome to wintry Minnesota in the USA, where Ron and Erik sit on the frigid ice, fishing and pondering life's greatest questions.
Nice Fish Tickets
Number one last time, this quirky and crazy-funny play written by Mark Rylance and Louis Jenkins continues to delight. A sell-out run in New York was only the start of it. Nice Fish has also captured the hearts and minds of British audiences, in part thanks to Rylance and Jim Lichtscheidls' brilliantly amusing delivery. Welcome to wintry Minnesota in the USA, where Ron and Erik sit on the frigid ice, fishing and pondering life's greatest questions.
Nice Fish Tickets
The kids are back at school. Theatreland is packing away its summer clothing ready for autumn. It's the time of year when change is on the wind, with a host of brand new shows waiting in the wings and a bunch of old favourites on the way out. Come back next time and see which shows our customers enjoyed the most through September. In the meantime, don't forget we're offering tickets for Beautiful, The Carole King Musical, at 31% off. See you soon!