Top London Shows - August 2016
by Kate Goldstone on Monday 8 August 2016, 9:26 am in Top London Shows
Mark Rylance's quirky comedy Nice Fish zooms straight into our chart at number one. Les Miserables is back, as are The Bodyguard and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. There's a wonderful Alan Ayckbourn play if classy classics take your fancy. Plus a brilliant jukebox musical to enjoy, courtesy of the music of The Kinks. Romance, thrills and laughter – it's all here waiting for you. Here's our top 12 London theatre show chart for August 2016.
1. Nice Fish
Fresh in at number one! Louis Jenkins and Mark Rylance wrote this play, and it's proving amazingly popular. It sold out in New York, it's only here for a short ten week season and theatre lovers are more or less fighting for tickets. The play takes you to Minnesota, USA, where Ron and Erik – played by Rylance and Jim Lichtscheidl – ponder the unfathomable mysteries of the meaning of life. Totally hilarious, and great fun.
Nice Fish Tickets
Fresh in at number one! Louis Jenkins and Mark Rylance wrote this play, and it's proving amazingly popular. It sold out in New York, it's only here for a short ten week season and theatre lovers are more or less fighting for tickets. The play takes you to Minnesota, USA, where Ron and Erik – played by Rylance and Jim Lichtscheidl – ponder the unfathomable mysteries of the meaning of life. Totally hilarious, and great fun.
Nice Fish Tickets
2. Les Miserables
Les Mis is here again, hurled back into our top 12 theatre shows chart at number two like a freight train, out of nowhere. It's a musical that has been seen by more than 70 million of people. It inspires and delights, bringing tears and laughter. The music is simply epic. And the plot, set in post-revolution France, is potent and powerful. No wonder it's been on stage in the West End for more than two decades. Welcome to the world's longest-running musical.
Les Miserables Tickets
Les Mis is here again, hurled back into our top 12 theatre shows chart at number two like a freight train, out of nowhere. It's a musical that has been seen by more than 70 million of people. It inspires and delights, bringing tears and laughter. The music is simply epic. And the plot, set in post-revolution France, is potent and powerful. No wonder it's been on stage in the West End for more than two decades. Welcome to the world's longest-running musical.
Les Miserables Tickets
3. How The Other Half Loves
The Duke of York's theatre is your venue for Alan Ayckbourn’s glittering and brilliantly farcical story of matrimonial disharmony. The show enjoyed its first major West End revival in the spring, directed to perfection by by Alan Strachan, and moved from the original venue, the Theatre Royal Haymarket, in early July. It has settled into its new home nicely, and it's still drawing huge crowds.
How The Other Half Loves Tickets
The Duke of York's theatre is your venue for Alan Ayckbourn’s glittering and brilliantly farcical story of matrimonial disharmony. The show enjoyed its first major West End revival in the spring, directed to perfection by by Alan Strachan, and moved from the original venue, the Theatre Royal Haymarket, in early July. It has settled into its new home nicely, and it's still drawing huge crowds.
How The Other Half Loves Tickets
4. Motown
Last month's number one, Motown is hanging on in there with a number four position this time around. Anyone who loves the sound of sweet soul music will adore this wonderful musical based on Berry Gordy's autobiography To Be Loved: The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown. It examines the great man's involvement with the Motown record label, and his fascinating relationships with legendary Motown artists like Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson and Michael Jackson. Come along and sing along!
Motown Tickets
Last month's number one, Motown is hanging on in there with a number four position this time around. Anyone who loves the sound of sweet soul music will adore this wonderful musical based on Berry Gordy's autobiography To Be Loved: The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown. It examines the great man's involvement with the Motown record label, and his fascinating relationships with legendary Motown artists like Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson and Michael Jackson. Come along and sing along!
Motown Tickets
5. Romeo and Juliet
Last month's number two in our chart, Romeo and Juliet is as popular as ever. Catch it at the Garrick theatre, part of the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company season. This is the story of two star-crossed teenage lovers whose deaths reconcile their feuding families, the Montagues and the Capulets, who have long hated one another. It's probably Shakespeare's best-loved play and fills the auditorium night after night. Fabulous.
Romeo and Juliet Tickets
Last month's number two in our chart, Romeo and Juliet is as popular as ever. Catch it at the Garrick theatre, part of the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company season. This is the story of two star-crossed teenage lovers whose deaths reconcile their feuding families, the Montagues and the Capulets, who have long hated one another. It's probably Shakespeare's best-loved play and fills the auditorium night after night. Fabulous.
Romeo and Juliet Tickets
6. Charlie and The Chocolate Factory
In July Charlie and co were at number eight, this time around they've climbed to number six, testament to the ever-popular plot, the colourful sets, the extraordinary costumes and – of course – a bunch of show tunes you can't help singing along to. It's hilarious and touching but at the same time deliciously dark, typical Roald Dahl at his best. Don't miss the fun – get great value tickets from us now and give your kids a treat.
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory Tickets
In July Charlie and co were at number eight, this time around they've climbed to number six, testament to the ever-popular plot, the colourful sets, the extraordinary costumes and – of course – a bunch of show tunes you can't help singing along to. It's hilarious and touching but at the same time deliciously dark, typical Roald Dahl at his best. Don't miss the fun – get great value tickets from us now and give your kids a treat.
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory Tickets
7. The Bodyguard
One of those romances that never dies, The Bodyguard is back in our chart after a long absence, proving it's one of those classics that just runs and runs. This 2012 stage musical by Alexander Dinelaris is based on the smash hit 1992 film of the same name starring the tragic Whitney Houston, and is jammed with gorgeous songs including One Moment in Time and I Will Always Love You. Lovely.
The Bodyguard Tickets
One of those romances that never dies, The Bodyguard is back in our chart after a long absence, proving it's one of those classics that just runs and runs. This 2012 stage musical by Alexander Dinelaris is based on the smash hit 1992 film of the same name starring the tragic Whitney Houston, and is jammed with gorgeous songs including One Moment in Time and I Will Always Love You. Lovely.
The Bodyguard Tickets
8. The Lion King
July's number three, The Lion King remains in our chart where it plays a part most summers. The musical based on the 1994 Disney cartoon film and features glorious show tunes by Sir Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice and an unforgettable score by Hans Zimmer. Add beautiful choral arrangements by Lebo M, the remarkable animal costumes and lifelike puppetry, and you can see why this Disney classic is loved by so many people.
The Lion King Tickets
July's number three, The Lion King remains in our chart where it plays a part most summers. The musical based on the 1994 Disney cartoon film and features glorious show tunes by Sir Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice and an unforgettable score by Hans Zimmer. Add beautiful choral arrangements by Lebo M, the remarkable animal costumes and lifelike puppetry, and you can see why this Disney classic is loved by so many people.
The Lion King Tickets
9. Sunny Afternoon
Love British music? Love the '60s? Up a couple of spots from a number 11 position in July, The Kinks are still causing a stir in theatreland thanks to a jukebox-style tribute show that's rocking the rafters night after night. With music and lyrics by Ray Davies himself and a book by Joe Penhall, it's a hugely popular show and has gathered a whole lot of critical acclaim along the way. This is so good you’ll think it's the real Kinks on stage...
Sunny Afternoon Tickets
Love British music? Love the '60s? Up a couple of spots from a number 11 position in July, The Kinks are still causing a stir in theatreland thanks to a jukebox-style tribute show that's rocking the rafters night after night. With music and lyrics by Ray Davies himself and a book by Joe Penhall, it's a hugely popular show and has gathered a whole lot of critical acclaim along the way. This is so good you’ll think it's the real Kinks on stage...
Sunny Afternoon Tickets
10. Kinky Boots
When an ailing English shoe manufacturer finds itself struggling, on its last legs (pun intended!), salvation appears in the form of a brand new and thrilling target market. The plot is based on a true story, which is part of its endless charm, and it's back in our chart again out of nowhere. A huge hit on Broadway with music and lyrics by Tony, Emmy and Grammy-winner Cyndi Lauper, the book comes from the Tony-winning Harvey Fierstein. Quirky, eccentric, touching and fun.
Kinky Boots Tickets
When an ailing English shoe manufacturer finds itself struggling, on its last legs (pun intended!), salvation appears in the form of a brand new and thrilling target market. The plot is based on a true story, which is part of its endless charm, and it's back in our chart again out of nowhere. A huge hit on Broadway with music and lyrics by Tony, Emmy and Grammy-winner Cyndi Lauper, the book comes from the Tony-winning Harvey Fierstein. Quirky, eccentric, touching and fun.
Kinky Boots Tickets
11. Wicked
It's those witches again. Teens adore this excellent coming-of-age musical. It stars the often-misunderstood Elphaba with her bright emerald green skin, a girl who matures into the nasty Wicked Witch of the West. But Galinda, beautiful, blonde and popular, grows up to become Glinda the Good Witch of the South. This is the story of the Witches of Oz, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Fantastic.
Wicked Tickets
It's those witches again. Teens adore this excellent coming-of-age musical. It stars the often-misunderstood Elphaba with her bright emerald green skin, a girl who matures into the nasty Wicked Witch of the West. But Galinda, beautiful, blonde and popular, grows up to become Glinda the Good Witch of the South. This is the story of the Witches of Oz, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Fantastic.
Wicked Tickets
12. Matilda The Musical
Roald Dahl's second show in our top twelve, this is the story of young Matilda, her hateful parents and horrible teachers. It's a multi-award winner, staged by the Royal Shakespeare Company, with Tim Minchin's music and lyrics, inspired by Dahl's great book. It has won more than 70 international awards including 15 for Best Musical, and continues to delight grown ups and children all over the planet.
Matilda The Musical Tickets
Roald Dahl's second show in our top twelve, this is the story of young Matilda, her hateful parents and horrible teachers. It's a multi-award winner, staged by the Royal Shakespeare Company, with Tim Minchin's music and lyrics, inspired by Dahl's great book. It has won more than 70 international awards including 15 for Best Musical, and continues to delight grown ups and children all over the planet.
Matilda The Musical Tickets
With the school summer holidays in full swing, it's no surprise our chart features so many kids' favourites. But there's plenty of there for adults, too. Grab great value tickets here and treat yourself to the theatre experience of a lifetime. Whether musicals ding your bell the hardest or Shakespeare floats your boat every time, we'll make you welcome in theatreland.