Top London Shows - July 2016
by Kate Goldstone on Tuesday 5 July 2016, 10:36 am in Top London Shows
The weather isn't playing ball. It's been horrid! But London's West End is in full summer mode anyway, with thousands of theatre lovers flocking into the city to experience the world's finest collection of live shows. Theatreland delivers everything from top class comedy and glittering musical theatre triumphs to Shakespeare, shows for children and deep, dark, thought-provoking plays for adults. Here's our latest top 12 shows. Welcome to our world.
1. Motown
Last month's number two contender has zipped up our chart to number one this time around, holding onto a very well-deserved top slot. Berry Gordy, the man at the centre of this epic musical, is no doubt very proud, already a household name but made even more so by this splendid musical. It must feel amazing, being a legend in your own lifetime! Long live Berry Gordy, long live sweet soul music, and long live this truly exceptional show.
Motown Tickets
Last month's number two contender has zipped up our chart to number one this time around, holding onto a very well-deserved top slot. Berry Gordy, the man at the centre of this epic musical, is no doubt very proud, already a household name but made even more so by this splendid musical. It must feel amazing, being a legend in your own lifetime! Long live Berry Gordy, long live sweet soul music, and long live this truly exceptional show.
Motown Tickets
2. Romeo and Juliet
The Bard's best-loved romance-tragedy is still winning hearts and minds in theatreland. Last time it hit our number one spot, this time it has slipped just one place to become our second-best seller over the last 30 days. With national treasure and hugely talented actor Keith Branagh in charge, it's no wonder the star-crossed lovers are drawing enormous crowds yet again. It's a beautiful show, a beautiful story and an all-round beautiful experience.
Romeo and Juliet Tickets
The Bard's best-loved romance-tragedy is still winning hearts and minds in theatreland. Last time it hit our number one spot, this time it has slipped just one place to become our second-best seller over the last 30 days. With national treasure and hugely talented actor Keith Branagh in charge, it's no wonder the star-crossed lovers are drawing enormous crowds yet again. It's a beautiful show, a beautiful story and an all-round beautiful experience.
Romeo and Juliet Tickets
3. The Lion King
Number eight for June, The Lion King is in our top three yet again. It's rarely out of our top 12 list for long, testament to its extraordinary pulling power and broad appeal. Yes, children of all ages adore it. But grown ups love it too. If you're looking to treat the kids this month, pick this one and you'll find yourself singing along with the little ones, just as captivated, just as delighted as they are. Meet Simba, Mufasa, Scar and friends and experience something unforgettable.
The Lion King Tickets
Number eight for June, The Lion King is in our top three yet again. It's rarely out of our top 12 list for long, testament to its extraordinary pulling power and broad appeal. Yes, children of all ages adore it. But grown ups love it too. If you're looking to treat the kids this month, pick this one and you'll find yourself singing along with the little ones, just as captivated, just as delighted as they are. Meet Simba, Mufasa, Scar and friends and experience something unforgettable.
The Lion King Tickets
4. The Book of Mormon
At number seven in our top 12 list last time around, one of the funniest and most irreverent musicals on the planet continues to thrill. This time it has climbed back up to number four, another show that seldom spends long out of our chart. What's the score? When two hapless and curiously naïve Mormon men travel to Africa to convert a remote Ugandan tribe to Christianity, their efforts are met with a mixture of lethargy, amusement and bafflement. Hilarious.
The Book of Mormon Tickets
At number seven in our top 12 list last time around, one of the funniest and most irreverent musicals on the planet continues to thrill. This time it has climbed back up to number four, another show that seldom spends long out of our chart. What's the score? When two hapless and curiously naïve Mormon men travel to Africa to convert a remote Ugandan tribe to Christianity, their efforts are met with a mixture of lethargy, amusement and bafflement. Hilarious.
The Book of Mormon Tickets
5. The Play That Goes Wrong
In June this crazy, madcap comedy slipped in at number twelve. Now it has sneaked up our chart to claim a coveted number five position, proving how horribly funny it can be when everything that can possibly go wrong does exactly that. When a group of amateurs try to put on a play, everything you can imagine goes as awry as it's possible to go, and it has audiences crying with laughter every night. Don't miss it!
The Play That Goes Wrong Tickets
In June this crazy, madcap comedy slipped in at number twelve. Now it has sneaked up our chart to claim a coveted number five position, proving how horribly funny it can be when everything that can possibly go wrong does exactly that. When a group of amateurs try to put on a play, everything you can imagine goes as awry as it's possible to go, and it has audiences crying with laughter every night. Don't miss it!
The Play That Goes Wrong Tickets
6. The Spoils
Our number four last time, The Spoils has dropped a couple of places to number six. Starring the wonderfully funny Jesse Eisenberg, it's a compelling plot. Meet Ben. Nobody likes him. He doesn't even like himself much, a bully who squashes everyone he comes across including his meek room mate Kalyan. When Ben finds out that his high school crush is marrying a boring banker, he decides to ruin their relationship and get her back. Like thousands of other theatre-goers, you'll love it.
The Spoils Tickets
Our number four last time, The Spoils has dropped a couple of places to number six. Starring the wonderfully funny Jesse Eisenberg, it's a compelling plot. Meet Ben. Nobody likes him. He doesn't even like himself much, a bully who squashes everyone he comes across including his meek room mate Kalyan. When Ben finds out that his high school crush is marrying a boring banker, he decides to ruin their relationship and get her back. Like thousands of other theatre-goers, you'll love it.
The Spoils Tickets
7. The Comedy About A Bank Robbery
You roared with laughter at the Play That Goes Wrong. Now there's a bank robbery that goes wrong, down from number five to number seven. The critics call it 'the funniest show in town', a play delivering 'swag-loads of pleasure' and ' a night of spectacular madness'. As they say, it would be a crime to miss it. A massive diamond, six hapless crooks and a sleepy security guard. Will they pull the robbery off? It's doubtful, and the results are horribly funny.
The Comedy About A Bank Robbery Tickets
You roared with laughter at the Play That Goes Wrong. Now there's a bank robbery that goes wrong, down from number five to number seven. The critics call it 'the funniest show in town', a play delivering 'swag-loads of pleasure' and ' a night of spectacular madness'. As they say, it would be a crime to miss it. A massive diamond, six hapless crooks and a sleepy security guard. Will they pull the robbery off? It's doubtful, and the results are horribly funny.
The Comedy About A Bank Robbery Tickets
8. Charlie and The Chocolate Factory
Magical, delightful, deliciously funny and heart warming to boot. Down one place at number eight, Willy Wonka and the rest of the huge cast are heading for legendary status thanks to brilliant acting, unforgettable show tunes, eye-popping costumes and stage sets plus a plot that has delighted millions of young readers – and their parents – for decades. Thank you Roald Dahl for this lovely story with a big, vivid heart.
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory Tickets
Magical, delightful, deliciously funny and heart warming to boot. Down one place at number eight, Willy Wonka and the rest of the huge cast are heading for legendary status thanks to brilliant acting, unforgettable show tunes, eye-popping costumes and stage sets plus a plot that has delighted millions of young readers – and their parents – for decades. Thank you Roald Dahl for this lovely story with a big, vivid heart.
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory Tickets
9. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
It's a weird world. Based on the 2003 mystery novel by Mark Haddon, the play's title comes from Sherlock Holmes in Arthur Conan Doyle's 1892 short story called Silver Blaze. There the resemblance stops. This is the tale of Christopher John Francis Boone, a 15-year-old boy who sees himself as "a mathematician with some behavioural difficulties." When a dog is killed he goes on a quirky journey to find out who did it. Pure brilliance.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Tickets
It's a weird world. Based on the 2003 mystery novel by Mark Haddon, the play's title comes from Sherlock Holmes in Arthur Conan Doyle's 1892 short story called Silver Blaze. There the resemblance stops. This is the tale of Christopher John Francis Boone, a 15-year-old boy who sees himself as "a mathematician with some behavioural difficulties." When a dog is killed he goes on a quirky journey to find out who did it. Pure brilliance.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Tickets
10. Sunny Afternoon
It's back in our chart again after a short gap, and it's still going strong in the West End. Anyone who loves the music of The Kinks will revel in this jukebox musical with a difference, showcasing the band's best chart-toppers and performed by a seriously talented cast. Based on their fascinating formation and glittering career, it's packed solid with classic Kinks hits like You Really Got Me, This Time Tomorrow and Lola. A real musical treat.
Sunny Afternoon Tickets
It's back in our chart again after a short gap, and it's still going strong in the West End. Anyone who loves the music of The Kinks will revel in this jukebox musical with a difference, showcasing the band's best chart-toppers and performed by a seriously talented cast. Based on their fascinating formation and glittering career, it's packed solid with classic Kinks hits like You Really Got Me, This Time Tomorrow and Lola. A real musical treat.
Sunny Afternoon Tickets
11. Beautiful – The Carole King Musical
Winner of two Olivier Awards, Beautiful held a number six position last month. The show continues to draw massive crowds thanks to plenty of critical acclaim and a cast so good you're thrown back in time to the days when King's tunes ruled the airwaves. Lovely music, a thrilling experience and an unforgettable production. Featuring all your favourite Carole King hits, it'll sends shivers down your spine.
Beautiful – The Carole King Musical Tickets
Winner of two Olivier Awards, Beautiful held a number six position last month. The show continues to draw massive crowds thanks to plenty of critical acclaim and a cast so good you're thrown back in time to the days when King's tunes ruled the airwaves. Lovely music, a thrilling experience and an unforgettable production. Featuring all your favourite Carole King hits, it'll sends shivers down your spine.
Beautiful – The Carole King Musical Tickets
12. Titanic
There's a new kid on the block, and it's selling like wildfire. It's the classic WhatsOnStage Award-winning production of Titanic, returning to London for a ten week season. The show is based on real people who were on board the ship when it went down, a musical by Maury Yeston and Peter Stone that first hit the stage in 1997, just before the film came out. It ran for two years on Broadway and won five Tony awards including Best Musical. What a treat!
Titanic Tickets
There's a new kid on the block, and it's selling like wildfire. It's the classic WhatsOnStage Award-winning production of Titanic, returning to London for a ten week season. The show is based on real people who were on board the ship when it went down, a musical by Maury Yeston and Peter Stone that first hit the stage in 1997, just before the film came out. It ran for two years on Broadway and won five Tony awards including Best Musical. What a treat!
Titanic Tickets
There you are, an irresistible collection of varied West End shows with something for everyone, nine to ninety nine. London awaits you, with some of the most historic and beautiful theatres in the world and a reputation as a hot-house for the planet's finest productions. Take your pick, click through to buy top value, trusted theatre tickets from us and enjoy the experience of a lifetime. See you soon.