Top London Shows - October 2016
by Kate Goldstone on Wednesday 5 October 2016, 11:58 am in Top London Shows
The nights are drawing in and audiences are turning their thoughts to the coming festive season. There's nothing quite like snuggling down into a great seat in a beautiful London theatre to be told a wonderful story, whether it's a comedy, tragedy, musical or drama. Some of the finest theatre productions in the world await you – here are the twelve shows our customers have loved best during the past 30 days, based on our ticket sales for September.
1. Charlie and The Chocolate Factory
Back in our number one spot, out of nowhere, Charlie is back again. The outrageous Roald Dahl would be delighted to know that his quirky story is such a massive stage hit, and has been transformed into such a well-loved musical. If you loved the book as a child, it's time to treat your own little ones to a magical experience like no other, set in a place where rivers of chocolate run and little Oompa Loompas rule. What a lovely show.
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory Tickets
Back in our number one spot, out of nowhere, Charlie is back again. The outrageous Roald Dahl would be delighted to know that his quirky story is such a massive stage hit, and has been transformed into such a well-loved musical. If you loved the book as a child, it's time to treat your own little ones to a magical experience like no other, set in a place where rivers of chocolate run and little Oompa Loompas rule. What a lovely show.
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory Tickets
2. Aladdin
New in and tipped to be a big seasonal favourite this Christmas, Aladdin is recommended for little ones aged six and over. It's faithful to the popular Disney film, featuring all the original show tunes from the Academy Award-winning movie that children love so much. As you can imagine the costumes are spectacular, the special effects are amazing and young audiences get completely, totally and utterly carried away by the fantasy.
Aladdin Tickets
New in and tipped to be a big seasonal favourite this Christmas, Aladdin is recommended for little ones aged six and over. It's faithful to the popular Disney film, featuring all the original show tunes from the Academy Award-winning movie that children love so much. As you can imagine the costumes are spectacular, the special effects are amazing and young audiences get completely, totally and utterly carried away by the fantasy.
Aladdin Tickets
3. The Entertainer
No 1 last time, the Entertainer is part of the glittering Kenneth Branagh season. Rob Ashford directs Branagh himself, who plays Archie Rice in John Osborne’s modern classic, set against the backdrop of post-war Britain. The plot is redolent of old-school music halls' seedy glamour and reveals an explosive exploration of the masks we wear in public and the private torment they often hide. Olivier Award nominee Phil Dunster and Downton Abbey's Sophie McShera also star.
The Entertainer Tickets
No 1 last time, the Entertainer is part of the glittering Kenneth Branagh season. Rob Ashford directs Branagh himself, who plays Archie Rice in John Osborne’s modern classic, set against the backdrop of post-war Britain. The plot is redolent of old-school music halls' seedy glamour and reveals an explosive exploration of the masks we wear in public and the private torment they often hide. Olivier Award nominee Phil Dunster and Downton Abbey's Sophie McShera also star.
The Entertainer Tickets
4. Beautiful – The Carole King Musical
Last month's number eight chart position, Carole King's lovely music is still thrilling enormous audiences in theatreland. The songstress's awesome tunes are as popular as ever, and the quality of the performance is absolutely remarkable. Half-close your eyes and you could easily believe it's King herself on stage, a legendary singer-songwriter whose work delights generation after generation.
Beautiful – The Carole King Musical Tickets
Last month's number eight chart position, Carole King's lovely music is still thrilling enormous audiences in theatreland. The songstress's awesome tunes are as popular as ever, and the quality of the performance is absolutely remarkable. Half-close your eyes and you could easily believe it's King herself on stage, a legendary singer-songwriter whose work delights generation after generation.
Beautiful – The Carole King Musical Tickets
5. The Book of Mormon
Number two in our chart for September, this hilariously silly production has been making people giggle for years now. It's a horribly clever religious satire of a stage musical with a book, lyrics, and music by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone of South Park cartoon fame. Poking not-so-gentle fun at religion, it's widely hailed as God's favourite musical. Laugh? You'll be rolling in the aisles. It's a proper hoot.
The Book of Mormon Tickets
Number two in our chart for September, this hilariously silly production has been making people giggle for years now. It's a horribly clever religious satire of a stage musical with a book, lyrics, and music by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone of South Park cartoon fame. Poking not-so-gentle fun at religion, it's widely hailed as God's favourite musical. Laugh? You'll be rolling in the aisles. It's a proper hoot.
The Book of Mormon Tickets
6. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
New into our chart, this legend of a 1962 play by Edward Albee examines the breakdown of the marriage of a middle-aged couple, Martha and George. Their relationship is already in deep trouble when, drunk as skunks, they invite another young married couple back to their place to carry on drinking after a faculty party. But the drunker they get, the worse they behave, and the results are torment to observe. It'll make you wince... in a good way.
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Tickets
New into our chart, this legend of a 1962 play by Edward Albee examines the breakdown of the marriage of a middle-aged couple, Martha and George. Their relationship is already in deep trouble when, drunk as skunks, they invite another young married couple back to their place to carry on drinking after a faculty party. But the drunker they get, the worse they behave, and the results are torment to observe. It'll make you wince... in a good way.
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Tickets
7. Phantom of the Opera
Back in our chart yet again after a short absence, Le Phantom never seems to lose its extraordinary appeal. No matter where you come from, who you are or what your taste in theatrical entertainment, you'll follow literally tens of millions of people and fall head over heels with one of the most powerfully dark romances of our time. Watch out for the chandelier – we don't want to spoil things for you, but it never fails to thrill.
Phantom of the Opera Tickets
Back in our chart yet again after a short absence, Le Phantom never seems to lose its extraordinary appeal. No matter where you come from, who you are or what your taste in theatrical entertainment, you'll follow literally tens of millions of people and fall head over heels with one of the most powerfully dark romances of our time. Watch out for the chandelier – we don't want to spoil things for you, but it never fails to thrill.
Phantom of the Opera Tickets
8. Motown
Number four in September's top 12 London theatre shows, the life and times of Berry Gordy and the Motown record label are revealed in this splendid jukebox musical with a difference. Laced liberally with some of the world's finest soul music, it weaves the potent tale of Gordy and the musicians he helped drive to stardom. It premièred on Broadway in April 2013, won four Tony nominations and continues to rock the rafters in the most deliciously soulful way.
Motown Tickets
Number four in September's top 12 London theatre shows, the life and times of Berry Gordy and the Motown record label are revealed in this splendid jukebox musical with a difference. Laced liberally with some of the world's finest soul music, it weaves the potent tale of Gordy and the musicians he helped drive to stardom. It premièred on Broadway in April 2013, won four Tony nominations and continues to rock the rafters in the most deliciously soulful way.
Motown Tickets
9. Mamma Mia!
Number five last time around, the extraordinary crowd-appeal of 1970s supergroup Abba's greatest hits never seems to dim. Cleverly set into a contemporary plot dealing with thoroughly modern issues, it follows the journey of a girl who is determined to find out which of her mother's three ex-boyfriends is her father. It's highly entertaining stuff, adored by teens, a favourite with hen nights and the ultimate in romance, a musical with a big, generous heart.
Mamma Mia! Tickets
Number five last time around, the extraordinary crowd-appeal of 1970s supergroup Abba's greatest hits never seems to dim. Cleverly set into a contemporary plot dealing with thoroughly modern issues, it follows the journey of a girl who is determined to find out which of her mother's three ex-boyfriends is her father. It's highly entertaining stuff, adored by teens, a favourite with hen nights and the ultimate in romance, a musical with a big, generous heart.
Mamma Mia! Tickets
10. Funny Girl
Number three last time, Funny Girl features some of the most iconic songs in movie and theatre history, including People and Don’t Rain On My Parade. It weaves the tale of Fanny - whose singing talent and comedic genius see her rise from a humble Brooklyn music hall singer to a glittering Broadway star - and gambler Nicky Arnstein, her dodgy boyfriend. The music comes from Jule Styne, the lyrics by Bob Merrill, and there's a book by Isobel Lennart. Don't miss it!
Funny Girl Tickets
Number three last time, Funny Girl features some of the most iconic songs in movie and theatre history, including People and Don’t Rain On My Parade. It weaves the tale of Fanny - whose singing talent and comedic genius see her rise from a humble Brooklyn music hall singer to a glittering Broadway star - and gambler Nicky Arnstein, her dodgy boyfriend. The music comes from Jule Styne, the lyrics by Bob Merrill, and there's a book by Isobel Lennart. Don't miss it!
Funny Girl Tickets
11. The Dresser
New in for October, The Dresser has been causing a positive stir in the West End. It was written in 1980 by Ronald Harwood and the themes it covers are just as relevant today, the story of an ageing Shakespearian actor's devoted personal assistant and his determination to keep his boss's chaotic life under control. It is as funny as it is poignant, exploring the eccentric relationship between two men both touchingly and amusingly.
The Dresser Tickets
New in for October, The Dresser has been causing a positive stir in the West End. It was written in 1980 by Ronald Harwood and the themes it covers are just as relevant today, the story of an ageing Shakespearian actor's devoted personal assistant and his determination to keep his boss's chaotic life under control. It is as funny as it is poignant, exploring the eccentric relationship between two men both touchingly and amusingly.
The Dresser Tickets
12. Buried Child
Another play that's new in for October, fresh out of nowhere, is the excellent Buried Child, the play that rocketed playwright Sam Shepard to fame back in 1978. It won the 1979 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and launched Shepard on the international theatre scene as a special kind of genius. The play reveals his disappointment and disillusionment with American mythology and the American Dream, set against a backdrop of the USA's chronic 1970s rural economic slowdown. Powerful stuff, and as fresh as ever.
Buried Child Tickets
Another play that's new in for October, fresh out of nowhere, is the excellent Buried Child, the play that rocketed playwright Sam Shepard to fame back in 1978. It won the 1979 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and launched Shepard on the international theatre scene as a special kind of genius. The play reveals his disappointment and disillusionment with American mythology and the American Dream, set against a backdrop of the USA's chronic 1970s rural economic slowdown. Powerful stuff, and as fresh as ever.
Buried Child Tickets
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