My birthday is comin up and my girlfriend has asked me what I would like to do. I've always wanted to go and watch a West End show but don't know what to see. Any ideas people??
2006-09-24 21:08:44 · 19 answers · asked by CJ 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Theater & Acting
I am 26 (for Manni that asked) and I like all kinds of music.
2006-09-24 21:28:06 · update #1
You want this to be a truly magical experience, so don't waste it.
Les Mis is available on DVD (In some form or other - Cut to ribbons, but long and depressing none-the-less).
The Lion King is great for kids and aurally stunning, but as an audience member you shouldn't have to work hard, and I feel that you have to think too much about what you're looking at!
Great for the kid inside is Mary Poppins, but be warned that the house is full of noisy kids!
Blood Brothers is good, but you feel like you attended a funeral by the end!
Avenue Q is funny, but buy the sound-track - It's cheaper and you'll laugh just as hard!
Mamma Mia is apparantly amazing, but if you don't like the thought of a juke-box musical, buy any Abba Greatest Hits album and sing along instead. Like wise for We Will Rock You and Daddy Cool!
Dirty Dancing and Footloose are the less creative cousin of the juke-box musicals. At least someone wrote a story for those songs. You might as well watch the films of the movie-shows - you'll see famous people that way, too!
Blue Man Group isn't theatre!
A true classic in a modern way is Guys and Dolls - thats a great show!
Producers is hilarious, but offensive...Worth seeing if you can get a ticket!
Spamalot is incredible (and side-splitting) if you like Monty Python and love the Holy Grail!
Evita is beautiful, but again, you'll feel like you just attended a funeral.
For a truly amazing theatre experience you have to go see Wicked at the Victoria Apollo. You can buy tickets for the front row from the Apollo box office on the day of performance for a reduced rate. Worth queueing up from 8.30 in the morning for!
I wish you a very happy birthday and hope that you enjoy whatever you decide to go and see!
2006-09-24 22:58:12 · answer #1 · answered by Huckleberry Finn 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Hi, I work as a theatre sound engineer in the west end. I would second the suggestion of Avenue Q, I've not seen the UK version but saw it in america and thought it was a great show, very adult in nature and gives you a different perspective about Sesame St or The Muppet Show and a great birthday event.
Wicked at the Victoria is open for previews and from all accounts is meant to be amazing, might be tricky getting tickets though.
Other Recommendations
Blue Man Group - Not a musical or a play, this is a show all of its own, very loud music and crazy performances - Book asap
Mary Poppins - Surprisingly good and a mix of the novel and the Disney film so has unexpected moments - Book asap
Mary Poppins - Surprisingly good and a mix of the novel and the Disney film so has unexpected moments - Book asap
Rock and Roll - New Tom Stoppard play, very good but very wordy with complicated plot - Not a musical! - Hard to get tickets.
If you can't get tickets easily then you could always risk the ticket offices around Leicester Square or Covent Garden. You may have to queue, but you would get tickets for a good show 95% of the time.
Happy B'day, hope you enjoy your show!
UrbanRT :o)
2006-09-24 23:35:19 · answer #2 · answered by urbanrt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
U did not say how old you where! As for recommendation to a show, one of the best is Buddy. It is about Buddy Holly the singer of the 1950's. The music is fantastic.
The Lion King is also great, like the movie this is pretty good, people play the part of the animals.
I would suggest you check out the Net for extra info.
2006-09-24 21:23:38 · answer #3 · answered by Le Baron 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all depends on what type of thing you like really ...
If you want to see a musical try "We Will Rock You" (good fun), "Wicked" (a truely great show) or "Les Miserables" (has to be one of the greatest musicals ever written).
If you want a laugh try "Avenue Q" (one of the funniest show's I've ever seen), "Donkeys Years" (very funny play) or "The Producers" (a fantastic musical).
For something more serious why not go to the Globe to see one of the last performances of the season - the Globe is a magical experience.
2006-09-25 22:28:20 · answer #4 · answered by HB 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Suggestions-
Les Miserable
The Lion King
Personally, I would go and see Les Mis. I'm a chick and it's my all time favourite. I saw in on the West End about 10 months ago and it was sensational! I took my ex to see it when we were together. He loved it. But it helped him to have read a synopsis before hand so he knew what was going on.
Have a great birthday!
2006-09-24 21:13:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dirty Dancing? Although I'm sure your girlfriend would like that more than you. What about We will Rock You? If you want a free night, you can see the Blue Man Group (I went on Saturday). Just e-mail your name, phone number and e-mail address to competition@bluemangroup.co.uk.
2006-09-24 22:58:04 · answer #6 · answered by b97st 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Lion King!
From Nov 3rd - Sound of music!
2006-09-24 21:39:01 · answer #7 · answered by Janey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
'I Love you. You're perfect. Now sing'.
It's showing at 'Upstairs at the Gatehouse' in Highgate on Friday and Saturday. Tickets are well cheap, about a tenner.
Tis a beautiful theatre.
2006-09-24 23:37:26 · answer #8 · answered by Miss A 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For something non musical - Woman in Black - It's been running for about 17 years and is quite atmospheric, still makes the audience jump out of their seats.
2006-09-24 23:29:15 · answer #9 · answered by Thisbysghost 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We Will Rock You featuring the music of Queen
I have been to see it twice
Happy Birthday
2006-09-24 21:19:05 · answer #10 · answered by lynneroberts23 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋