Top London Shows - September 2014
by Kate Goldstone on Wednesday 3 September 2014, 10:15 am in Top London Shows
Where has the summer gone? As usual time has zipped by and we're suddenly in September, the kids are back at school and theatreland returns to normal for a few short weeks before the festive season kicks off. So what were our biggest hitters for the summer break? Here are our top twelve shows for August 2014. As you'll see, we have some fresh new entries this time around...
1. The Importance Of Being Earnest
Oscar Wilde's classic play shows no sign of losing popularity as this latest version gathers a suite of great reviews, and now it's our number one, top-selling show for two months running. Nigel Havers, Martin Jarvis, Cherie Lunghi and Sian Phillips take to the stage for an hilarious rendition of Wilde's wickedly funny exploration of late nineteenth century social snobbery. Brilliant.
The Importance Of Being Earnest Tickets
Oscar Wilde's classic play shows no sign of losing popularity as this latest version gathers a suite of great reviews, and now it's our number one, top-selling show for two months running. Nigel Havers, Martin Jarvis, Cherie Lunghi and Sian Phillips take to the stage for an hilarious rendition of Wilde's wickedly funny exploration of late nineteenth century social snobbery. Brilliant.
The Importance Of Being Earnest Tickets
2. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Back at the Gielgud theatre after the ceiling collapsed at the Apollo, this splendidly eccentric show has had amazing reviews and was our number three last time. The show has played at three theatres so far, won seven Olivier Awards in the process and according to Time Out is a “thing of unbridled wonder”. This adaptation of Mark Haddon's excellent novel by the National Theatre is delighting audiences night after night.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Tickets
Back at the Gielgud theatre after the ceiling collapsed at the Apollo, this splendidly eccentric show has had amazing reviews and was our number three last time. The show has played at three theatres so far, won seven Olivier Awards in the process and according to Time Out is a “thing of unbridled wonder”. This adaptation of Mark Haddon's excellent novel by the National Theatre is delighting audiences night after night.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Tickets
3. The Lion King
Last month's number two, one of the most popular ever children's musical falls just one place to number three this time around, testament to its ongoing popularity. If there's a school holiday in the offing you can more or less guarantee soaring ticket sales for this wonderful, magical tale of coming of age. And our special 'no booking fee offer' in mid August helped fan the flames even higher.
The Lion King Tickets
Last month's number two, one of the most popular ever children's musical falls just one place to number three this time around, testament to its ongoing popularity. If there's a school holiday in the offing you can more or less guarantee soaring ticket sales for this wonderful, magical tale of coming of age. And our special 'no booking fee offer' in mid August helped fan the flames even higher.
The Lion King Tickets
4. Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games
This long awaited musical and dance spectacular finally opened its doors on 1st September, and tickets sold like hot cakes throughout August. So is all that fervent anticipation justified? Yes. The Los Angeles Times called it a “show piece extravaganza”, and Flatley's latest offering has already gathered a great reputation as a magical adventure. Uplifting, breathtakingly skilful... unforgettable!
Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games Tickets
This long awaited musical and dance spectacular finally opened its doors on 1st September, and tickets sold like hot cakes throughout August. So is all that fervent anticipation justified? Yes. The Los Angeles Times called it a “show piece extravaganza”, and Flatley's latest offering has already gathered a great reputation as a magical adventure. Uplifting, breathtakingly skilful... unforgettable!
Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games Tickets
5. The Play That Goes Wrong
Opening on 5th September, this is a keenly-anticipated play billed as “an almost unbearably funny cult comedy”. It had its debut way back in 2012 and has been a slow burn... so far. After a hugely successful stint at the Edinburgh Festival, which saw audiences helpless with giggles, the Mischief Theatre Company, the play's creators, have been rewarded with a well-deserved West End Transfer. If you love comedy, you'd be crazy to miss this one.
The Play That Goes Wrong Tickets
Opening on 5th September, this is a keenly-anticipated play billed as “an almost unbearably funny cult comedy”. It had its debut way back in 2012 and has been a slow burn... so far. After a hugely successful stint at the Edinburgh Festival, which saw audiences helpless with giggles, the Mischief Theatre Company, the play's creators, have been rewarded with a well-deserved West End Transfer. If you love comedy, you'd be crazy to miss this one.
The Play That Goes Wrong Tickets
6. The Book of Mormon
The biggest Broadway smash for ages, this hilarious play is still making waves on this side of the Atlantic. The winner of four Olivier Awards in 2014, including Best New Musical and Best Actor In A Musical, it comes from the eccentric brains of the folk who dreamed up the cult hit TV cartoon, South Park. If you're a fan, you'll get the picture. It won an impressive 9 Tony Awards in 2011 and it's still bringing the house down.
The Book of Mormon Tickets
The biggest Broadway smash for ages, this hilarious play is still making waves on this side of the Atlantic. The winner of four Olivier Awards in 2014, including Best New Musical and Best Actor In A Musical, it comes from the eccentric brains of the folk who dreamed up the cult hit TV cartoon, South Park. If you're a fan, you'll get the picture. It won an impressive 9 Tony Awards in 2011 and it's still bringing the house down.
The Book of Mormon Tickets
7. Shakespeare In Love
Our mid August flash sale shot this excellent production to number seven in our chart, down just one place from last month's number six. Add great reviews and you get a show that's justifiably attracting large audiences every night. We think The Bard himself would be thrilled to see his imaginary life brought to the stage 450 years after he was born, to be loved by thousands.
Shakespeare In Love Tickets
Our mid August flash sale shot this excellent production to number seven in our chart, down just one place from last month's number six. Add great reviews and you get a show that's justifiably attracting large audiences every night. We think The Bard himself would be thrilled to see his imaginary life brought to the stage 450 years after he was born, to be loved by thousands.
Shakespeare In Love Tickets
8. Wolf Hall
The long awaited Wolf Hall / Bring Up The Bodies finally opened on 25th August and shot straight into our chart at number eight. It's the stage version of author Hilary Mantelʼs two epic books about the rise of Thomas Cromwell and his rocky relationship with King Henry the Eighth, combined cleverly and already hailed as a landmark. And it opened to rave reviews. All of which makes this one to catch if you possibly can.
Wolf Hall Tickets
The long awaited Wolf Hall / Bring Up The Bodies finally opened on 25th August and shot straight into our chart at number eight. It's the stage version of author Hilary Mantelʼs two epic books about the rise of Thomas Cromwell and his rocky relationship with King Henry the Eighth, combined cleverly and already hailed as a landmark. And it opened to rave reviews. All of which makes this one to catch if you possibly can.
Wolf Hall Tickets
9. Horrible Histories - Barmy Britain Part 2
Horrible Histories brought history to vibrant life on the stage, designed to inspire kids to learn more about Britain's violent and often downright barmy past. Laughter and learning mixed perfectly in a play that rocked the summer break, now closed since the kids are back at school. Boudicca and Burke & Hare, William Wallace and Queen Elizabeth 1st, King Charles and Dick Turpin... here's to next time.
Show now closed
Horrible Histories brought history to vibrant life on the stage, designed to inspire kids to learn more about Britain's violent and often downright barmy past. Laughter and learning mixed perfectly in a play that rocked the summer break, now closed since the kids are back at school. Boudicca and Burke & Hare, William Wallace and Queen Elizabeth 1st, King Charles and Dick Turpin... here's to next time.
Show now closed
10. Charlie and The Chocolate Factory
This lovely musical keeps popping in and out of our top twelve chart, one of the most popular children's stories and a tale that appeals just as much to nostalgic grown-ups. The school holidays brought thousands more youngsters to the capital to enjoy the fun, and Charlie and his friends shot back into our chart as a result. Welcome back.
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory Tickets
This lovely musical keeps popping in and out of our top twelve chart, one of the most popular children's stories and a tale that appeals just as much to nostalgic grown-ups. The school holidays brought thousands more youngsters to the capital to enjoy the fun, and Charlie and his friends shot back into our chart as a result. Welcome back.
Charlie and The Chocolate Factory Tickets
11. Mamma Mia!
Have you ever heard anyone say they hate Abba? We haven't. And like the band, the popularity of this show never seems to end. It's the ultimate feel good factor musical, jam packed with sing-along Abba classics set against a wholly contemporary love story on a sunny Greek island. Fifteen years non-stop on the stage and still going strong, it steals the audience's heart night after night.
Mamma Mia! Tickets
Have you ever heard anyone say they hate Abba? We haven't. And like the band, the popularity of this show never seems to end. It's the ultimate feel good factor musical, jam packed with sing-along Abba classics set against a wholly contemporary love story on a sunny Greek island. Fifteen years non-stop on the stage and still going strong, it steals the audience's heart night after night.
Mamma Mia! Tickets
12. Thriller - Live
Last month's number eight, Thriller Live is another musical that pops in and out of our chart like a jack-in-the-box... or even a Jacko in the box. Forget plots. Who needs a plot when there's a veritable feast of Michael Jackson hits, one after the other, all performed to absolutely uncanny perfection by some of the most talented singers and dancers on the planet? Wow. If you haven't seen it yet, do it now.
Thriller - Live Tickets
Last month's number eight, Thriller Live is another musical that pops in and out of our chart like a jack-in-the-box... or even a Jacko in the box. Forget plots. Who needs a plot when there's a veritable feast of Michael Jackson hits, one after the other, all performed to absolutely uncanny perfection by some of the most talented singers and dancers on the planet? Wow. If you haven't seen it yet, do it now.
Thriller - Live Tickets
What's on the far horizon? Back to the Future, expected on stage eventually, has apparently been delayed until at least 2016 after the director Jamie Lloyd withdrew amicably from the production. Motown the Musical is due over here, fresh from Broadway, some time in 2015. It looks like there's a Cats revival in the bag for December 2014. And with a bit of luck we might see Nicole Kidman in Turgenev’s A Month In The Country during 2015 too. Watch this space!