Jersey Boys - The Story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons Groups & Schools WINNER of 57 major awards worldwide, including the Olivier Award for BEST NEW MUSICAL. JERSEY BOYS, the internationally acclaimed hit musical, tells the remarkable rise to stardom of one of the most successful bands in pop music history. Read more... "Sheer Musical Razzmatazz! The story provides a real emotional connection and context to the men and their music..." Sunday Express, Mark Shenton Information about London West End musicals and plays Theatre Tips Shows London’s Theatreland contains over forty venues showing West End musicals, plays and ballet performances. Along with New York’s Broadway, the West End is considered to showcase the highest level of musical theatre performance in the English-speaking world. Theatreland has existed in the area for over 100 years, and is a popular tourist attraction with forty shows currently being performed. Billy Elliot – This much-loved family musical has been showing in the West End since 2005,. It tells the story of a boy who is longing to pursue his passion of ballet, against his family’s wishes.

Blood Brothers – The longest-running musical in West End’s history, it has been playing to audiences since 1988. It is the tragic story of twins separated and brought up in two different worlds where their lives ultimately collide. It will close on 10 November 2012 after 24 years in the West End. The Bodyguard – Inspired by the 1992 film starring Whitney Houston, this ‘romantic thriller’ will star Heather Headley as a Hollywood star who is forced to hire a bodyguard after receiving death threats from a crazed fan. It will feature the classic hits from the movie, including “I Will Always Love You” as well as additional songs from Houston’s career. The Book of Mormon – One of Broadway’s most popular recent successes, this irreverent musical comedy from the creators of South Park follows two Mormon missionaries who are sent to convert a Ugandan tribe more concerned with the ongoing civil war and famine in their village. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book comes to the stage, as it follows Charlie on his magical journey through Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, complete with oompa loompas and misbehaving children.

Dreamboats and Petticoats – This jukebox musical takes you through all the hits of the 50’s and 60’s and recalls a more innocent time as a group of teenagers fall in and out of love amidst a fairground. Jersey Boys – Based on the hit songs by 60s group, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Jersey Boys opened to the West End in 2008 after being introduced to Broadway in 2006, and has been extremely successful ever since. Les Misérables – First shown to audiences in 1985, Les Misérables has become the longest-running musical of all time at the West End, celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2010. Mamma Mia! – This smash-hit musical based on the music of 70s Swedish pop phenomenon, ABBA, has been showing in the West End since 1999, and has since been made into a film starring Meryl Streep and Colin Firth. The Lion King – Since 1999, The Lion King has wowed audiences in the West End and has become a favourite amongst theatre-goers.

Based on the Disney classic, this family musical tells the story of a lion cub’s journey to take his place as king in the African savannah. The Phantom of the Opera – Since 1986, Phantom has been showing at Her Majesty’s Theatre and has become the highest-grossing entertainment event of all time, and the second longest-running musical at the West End. Viva Forever – The long-awaited Spice Girls musical tells the story of Viva, a teenager who enters a TV talent show competition with a group of her friends only to find herself having to choose between friendship and fame when she advances and the others don’t. The show will feature all the girl power band’s hits including “Wannabe” and “Spice Up Your Life.” War Horse – Originally shown at the National Theatre, War Horse has transferred to the West End’s New London Theatre and tells the emotional story of the bond between a horse sold to work in the First World War, and its young owner, Albert. We Will Rock You – One of the most popular musicals in recent times, We Will Rock You has been showing in the West End since 2002 and is popular for all, especially those who love Queen’s music!

It is set in the future where Globalisation has taken place and music is all digitised. Wicked – A musical originally in Broadway, Wicked has been showing in the West End since 2006 and has become a firm favourite amongst families. Using the familiar characters from The Wizard of Oz , Wicked is the tale of two witches who meet at sorcery school and their journey to fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. There are many more shows in London than we have listed here. The 10 Best Long Running Shows In The West End The 10 Best Long Running Shows In The West End By Stephen Collins on 27th February 2015 in News , West End 0 What long running show should you see first in London? We have compiled this list to save you the trouble of working it out! It’s just our view – and everyone has one – based on our Reviewers’ thoughts. We will update the list regularly so that cast changes can factor into the mix. Only Plays and Musicals which have been running for more than three years are included in this is list. So go see them! 1.

Wicked Wicked is the prequel to The Wizard Of Oz. Long before Dorothy drops in, two girls meet in the land of Oz. One, born with emerald-green skin, is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. Wicked tells the story of how these two unlikely friends grew to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch. Wicked has become a phenomenon not only in London but across the world where it plays to capacity houses on a regular basis. Les Miserables – One Day More. Photo: Johan Perrson 2. Les Miserables Cameron Mackintosh’s enthralling production of Les Miserables has been seen by over 70 million people, staged in 43 countries and in 22 languages all over the world. Les Miserables is now in its 30th year on the West End Stage and is officially the longest running musical in the world.

Victor Hugo’s beautiful and timeless tale of crushed dreams, unreciprocated love, sacrifice and salvation is brought to life on stage with music and lyrics by Boublil and Schonberg (Miss Saigon, Martin Guerre, Marguerite), and is still as gripping and vital as when it was first staged all those years ago. BOOK TICKETS TO LES MISERABLES | READ OUR REVIEW 3. War Horse Set against the turbulent times of the First World War, War Horse is the story of a boy (Albert) and his horse (Joey). It is a relationship that will see one follow the other into the depths of no-mans land in an attempt to bring his horse home safely. Audiences journey from Albert’s hometown of rural Devon to the trenches of First World War France. War Horse is one of the most amazing theatrical spectacles on stage today. Working with life-sized puppets, this astonishing group of actors bring not only one horse to life but an entire cavalry regiment! BOOK TICKETS FOR WAR HORSE 4. Jersey Boys Jersey Boys is the true story of how four blue collar boys from Jersey went on to become international pop stars Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

The band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame having sold 175 million records worldwide – all before they turned 30. Jersey Boys contains some of the biggest pop hits ever including Beggin’, Sherry, Walk Like A Man, December, 1963 (Oh What a Night), Big Girls Don’t Cry, My Eyes Adored You,Let’s Hang On (To What We’ve Got), Bye Bye Baby, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Working My Way Back to You, Fallen Angel,Rag Doll and Who Loves You. BOOK TICKETS TO JERSEY BOYS 5. The Phantom Of The Opera Based on the novel by Gaston Leroux, The Phantom Of The Opera tells the tale of a hideously deformed composer, forced to hide in the depths of the Paris Opera House. When young dancer Christine Daae arrives at the opera, he begins to tutor her under the guise of the ghost of her dead father convinced that she has the makings of a great star. All does not go to plan though, when childhood sweetheart Raoul appears as patron of the opera’s new owners. Mayhem ensues as this timeless love triangle plays out.

But does love triumph in the end? Possibly one of the greatest entertainments every conceived, The Phantom Of the Opera is one of the highest grossing musicals of all time and has been seen by millions of people across the globe. BOOK TICKETS TO PHANTOM OF THE OPERA 6. BILLY ELLIOT Set during the miners’ strike of 1984/85 in a mining town in the North East of England, Billy Elliot is the sensational telling of one young boy’s battle to see his dreams become a reality despite all the stigma and prejudice inherent in his everyday life. This powerful story sees Billy stumbling out of a boxing class to encounter ballet, and with the inspiration and vision of his Ballet teacher, Mrs Wilkinson, he is free to uncover his true passion; dance. This is a journey of self discovery, love, family and friendship that sees not just Billy – but his friends, family and the community at large coming together enabling him to change his life for good. Billy Elliot is a story of blind faith, true passion and determination. BOOK TICKETS TO BILLY ELLIOT 7.

The Lion King Set against the majesty of the Serengeti Plains and to the evocative rhythms of Africa, the stage musical of The Lion King is based on the Disney animated film. When a young lion prince is born in the Pridelands in Africa, his uncle Scar moves further down the line of inheritance. In an attempt to take the throne, Scar plots the death of Mufasa – the King laying the blame at the feet of his son – Simba. Scar takes the throne by enlisting the help of hyenas and disturbs the natural balance. Simba is convinced to return and overthrow his uncle restoring the “Circle Of Life”. BOOK TICKETS TO THE LION KING 8. Mamma Mia! Mamma Mia! is the enchanting tale of family and friendship, unfolding on a Greek Island paradise where on the eve of her wedding to the love of her life, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past to the island they last visited 20 years ago. Mamma Mia!

Features all of Abba’s best-known songs include Dancing Queen, Thank You For The Music, The Winner Takes It All, Knowing Me, Knowing You, S.O.S; Take a Chance on Me, Super Trouper and many others. BOOK TICKETS FOR MAMMA MIA! 9. The 39 Steps Based on John Buchan’s book which was superbly filmed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1935 has finally been adapted in a thrilling production for the stage. The 39 Steps is without doubt the smallest, epic stage production to land on the London stage with 4 actors playing more than 139 parts. It’s all played for laughs as actors sometimes play several characters and even the odd inanimate object. All of the great scenes from the film are staged including a chase on The Flying Scotsman, and the Forth Bridge escape. BOOK TICKETS TO THE 39 STEPS 10. The Mousetrap The Mousetrap has now been running for 60 years during which time over 23,000 performances have been given. It is quite simply a great piece of theatrical history because of what it is, a whodunit written by the greatest crime writer of all time.

In her own inimitable style, Dame Agatha Christie has created an atmosphere of shuddering suspense and a brilliantly intricate plot where murder lurks around every corner. Join the millions who have already discovered whodunnit, but will not share their secret. BOOK TICKETS TO THE MOUSETRAP About Stephen Collins With years of experience on both sides of the curtain, Stephen Collins has worked as an actor, singer, director, producer and casting consultant, indulging his passion for live theatre. For balance, he is also a media lawyer who has worked in-house for the likes of Channel 4 and The Sunday Times. In his ‘spare’ time, he can usually be found in an audience. He thinks the West End and London is the centre of the theatrical universe (sorry Broadway!), but fears it's not possible to see absolutely everything that’s on there. He doesn’t stop trying though. Cocktails help when it all gets too much. Best West End Theatre Shows & Musicals in 2016 - ATG Blog Dreamgirls Thirty-five years after the ground-breaking original Broadway production, this UK and West End premiere of the sensational and iconic Tony Award®-winning musical Dreamgirls comes to the Savoy Theatre.

Inspired by R&B music acts in 1960s America, Dreamgirls transports you to a revolutionary time in American music history. Dreamgirls charts the tumultuous journey of a young female singing trio, from Chicago, Illinois called The Dreams, as they learn the hard lesson that show business is as tough as it is fabulous and features the classic songs And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going, I Am Changing, Listen and One Night Only. Doctor Faustus Praised for their innovative and anarchic reinvention of the classics The Jamie Lloyd Company propels Christopher Marlowe's legendary Doctor Faustus into the here and now in an explosive and magical production starring Kit Harington (Game of Thrones) in his long-awaited return to the London stage.

The Spoils Written and performed by BAFTA, Golden Globe and Academy Award nominated Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network) and starring the likes of Kunal Nayyar (The Big Bang Theory), Alfie Allen (Game of Thrones), Katie Brayben (Beautiful, My Mother Said I Never Should, King Charles III, American Psycho) and Annapurna Sriram (Billions), The Spoils moves to it's new home in the West End. Nobody likes Ben. Ben doesnt even like Ben. He bullies everyone in his life, including his roommate Kalyan, an earnest Nepalese immigrant. When Ben discovers that his school crush is marrying a straight-laced banker, he sets out to destroy their relationship and win her back. Rotterdam Following a critically-acclaimed, sell-out run at Theatre503 in 2015, Jon Brittain's Rotterdam returns to London this summer. A bittersweet comedy about gender, sexuality and being a long way from home from co-creator of Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho, and writer of What Would Spock Do? and The Sexual Awakening of Peter Mayo. Delving into important questions, and not short of laughs, this is a play not to miss.

Kinky Boots The Adelphi Theatre welcomes Kinky Boots and its Midlands-based footwear factory strut to the stage this August. The mega-hit Broadway musical, with music by pop sensation Cyndi Lauper, tells the story of a struggling shoe factory that needs an unlikely friendship to give it a fresh and fabulous new lease of life. Funny Girl Double Olivier award winner and superstar of stage and screen Sheridan Smith returns to the Savoy this spring in Funny Girl. The iconic show is back 60 years after its last West End outing. Charting the unlikely rise and fall of Fanny Brice as she struggles through the world of show business with comic flare this is the show that made Barbara Streisand a household name. Following a record breaking run at the Menier Chocolate Factory this revival by Sonia Friedman Productions is set to be the West End's hottest ticket of the season. The Dresser Whats more theatrical than theatre about theatre? Ken Stott and Reece Shearsmith come together as lead actor Sir and Norman the dresser in this eagerly awaited revival of 'a wonderfully affectionate and intelligent play about the theatre' (The Guardian).

Sir, the last in a dying breed of great English Shakespearean actors, is unwilling to take to the stage to deliver his renowned portrayal of King Lear. It falls to his faithful dresser Norman to rouse another great performance from him, to keep both the show and its star from falling apart. Make sure not to miss what is renowned as Ronald Harwoods greatest play. West End Favourites... Wicked With awards for Most Popular Show and Best West End Show under its belt (2010 and 2011), this positively emerald musical continues to amaze its audiences night after night. A prequel to hit musical The Wizard of Oz, its story follows the unlikely friendship between the Witches of Oz - long before Dorothy and her ruby red slippers appeared. Buy directly from the theatre for your Wicked tickets . The Lion King The stage adaptation of Disney's The Lion King is as magical now as it was when it first opened in the West End back in 1999. Clad with a magical set, stunning costumes and imaginative puppetry, this breathtaking show will take you on an African journey through the pride lands, as Simba and his friends fight to rightfully reclaim his kingdom.

Sunny Afternoon Here's a musical that will set you right back to the era that inspired generations through their groovy music and iconic dancing. Sunny Afternoon follows the highs and lows of hit British band The Kinks and their legendary journey to the top of the charts. A great British musical for a great British band. Jersey Boys If a worldwide smash-hit musical that's recently been adapted for film sounds like your kind of show, then Jersey Boys is definitely for you. This Olivier Award-winning musical follows the remarkable rise to stardom of rock 'n' roll legends Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and features all of their biggest hits including Sherry, Big Girls Don't Cry and Oh What A Night. The Woman in Black It's been in the West End for over 25 years and over 7 million people have lived to tell its tale - one which has been dubbed as one of the most chilling and successful theatre events ever staged. Get your heart pumping and your palms sweaty as you test your scare threshold with this gripping play. Go on, we dare you. Are you seeing any of these productions this year? Are there any on your theatre bucket-list for 2016? We'd love to hear from you!

Tweet us Tweet #LondonTheatre2016 Crisis in the West End | Stage | The Guardian Theatre Crisis in the West End Theatreland is in dire straits. Second-rate musicals rule, new drama is dying, and the venues are falling apart. The time has come for a revolution, writes Michael Billington Wednesday 1 August 2007 19.44 EDT Share on Messenger Close We have cried wolf once too often. Over the years, whenever a handful of commercial theatres has been closed, newspapers have prophesied gloom and doom. This, we are told, is the end of West End civilisation as we know it. But today the crisis is real. Never in my lifetime has London's West End theatre looked so narrow in its range of choices or so out of touch with contemporary reality. And it is high time the crisis was confronted and a debate launched about what we expect of commercial theatre. "What crisis?" some may ask. The Society of London Theatre last year announced record attendances of more than 12 million visitors.

They also pointed to the West End's contribution to the wider economy: the commercial theatre regularly generates more than £200m in tax and produces an estimated £400m of ancillary spending on restaurants, bars and transport. Stroll around the West End any evening and the place seems to be seething with visitors, many of them heading towards a theatre. But numbers alone cannot disguise the truth: that the West End lacks any dynamic creative initiative and is living on borrowed time, in that many of its buildings are barely fit for purpose. Look, for a start, at what is actually on offer. At this moment, there are 26 musicals in the West End but only seven straight plays and three comedies. "The drama's laws, the drama's patrons give," said Dr Johnson, and it would be absurd to deny the public hunger for tune-and-toe shows that offer fantasy and escape. Economic factors also shape public taste: if people are paying up to £50 for a West End stall, at least with a musical they feel they are getting visible value for money in terms of sets, costumes and number of people on stage. I have nothing against musicals.

Doubts only begin to arise when you examine the provenance of the shows currently playing. Of the 26 musicals now showing, 12 derive either from films or TV programmes or are compilation shows drawn from back catalogues. That leaves 14 shows that might loosely be described as "original", even if many of them are adapted from novels. And of those 14, only four hail from the current decade: Wicked (closely based on The Wizard of Oz), The Drowsy Chaperone (due to close after mysteriously ecstatic notices), Avenue Q (a lightweight American import) and The Lord of the Rings. In defiance of my critical colleagues, I happened to like the last. But the melancholy truth is that the musical as a living creative force seems to be in decline. In Britain we have seen no popular, native commercial composer emerge since Andrew Lloyd Webber in the early 1970s: even AR Rahman, chiefly responsible for Bombay Dreams and The Lord of the Rings, has been dubbed by Time magazine the "Mozart of Madras".

A genre that in Britain once produced estimable figures such as Ivor Novello, Lionel Bart, Sandy Wilson, Julian Slade and David Heneker is now heavily dependent on a single composer who, at the age of 59, cannot be expected to last for ever. Also, I wouldn't say the list of musicals opening late this year or early next sound like models of innovation: Desperately Seeking Susan, enhanced by the greatest hits of Blondie, is yet another movie-based musical, while Jersey Boys tells the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. And does the pulse race any faster at the prospect of a second musical version of Gone With the Wind? But, if the West End musical relies parasitically on American imports, the straight play as a commercial proposition seems to be in an even more parlous state. When I started as a critic in 1971, I lamented the fact that virtually all the best plays in the West End stemmed from the subsidised sector: they included John Osborne's West of Suez, Peter Nichols' Forget-Me-Not-Lane, Alan Ayckbourn's How the Other Half Loves and Christopher Hampton's The Philanthropist.

From today's vantage point, however, that seems to have been a time of enviable riches. Of the seven straight plays in the West End today, five are thrillers ranging from The Mousetrap to The Last Confession. The other two are Elling, adapted from a cult Norwegian movie, and David Storey's In Celebration, which is a revival of a fine 1969 Royal Court play. But, however good these two are, their commercial viability clearly rests on the presence, respectively, of John Simm and Orlando Bloom. What we have in London is a clear and potentially damaging trend. The audience for plays basically goes to subsidised theatres. They will only pay West End prices if offered a bona fide star. The most one can say is that there is still a market for comedy as shown by the success of Boeing Boeing, The 39 Steps and The Reduced Shakespeare Company. At the risk of sounding like a critical Thersites, I would add that the fabric of the bricks and mortar also raises cause for alarm. Cameron Mackintosh is the prime example of a West End theatre-owner who has taken serious steps to improve his properties and plough his profits back into the buildings.

Under his stewardship, the Prince of Wales and the Prince Edward have been magnificently restored, and the Novello has acquired something of its pristine splendour. The Theatre Royal Haymarket is also a delight to enter. But too many West End theatres are crumbling, decaying edifices. In 2003, the Theatres Trust produced a report confirming that 60% of West End theatres had seats from which the stage was not fully visible, and that 48% had inadequate foyers and bars. They estimated that at least £250m would have to be spent over the next 15 years to make the theatres safe, usable and attractive. But where is the money to come from? There is a clear case for rewriting lottery rules to enable public funds to be spent on modernising our theatres. Otherwise, visitors to London for the 2012 Olympics will be confronted by a bizarre mixture of spanking new sports stadia and theatrical slums. But what can be done to improve the West End artistically as well as structurally?

The most urgent need is for dynamic young producers to succeed the senior generation of Michael Codron, Robert Fox, Bill Kenwright and Thelma Holt. Only two have made their mark in recent years: the admirable Sonia Friedman and Matthew Byam Shaw. The latter was the beneficiary of a bursary called Stage One, in which money from the Theatre Investment Fund is used to kick-start individual careers. I sit on its selection panel, and twice a year we meet to interview a dozen young hopefuls. It is an intriguing process and a valuable scheme. But what strikes me, and some of the other panellists, is the relative scarcity of applicants who think in broad commercial terms: reared in the ethos of Fringe theatre, they largely come armed with small-scale projects. My belief is that the really imaginative producers of today are to be found not in the commercial sector but among the directors of subsidised theatres. People like Nicholas Hytner at the National, Michael Grandage at the Donmar, Dominic Cooke at the Royal Court, Vicky Featherstone at the National Theatre of Scotland, Jonathan Church at Chichester and Gemma Bodinetz and Deborah Aydon at Liverpool are the real Diaghilevs of modern British theatre.

They may be partially protected by subsidy but they still have to think in terms of filling theatres and of devising a dozen or more productions a year that will combine quality with audience appeal. Without wishing to denude the non-profit sector of its talent, it seems vital that the commercial theatre benefits from the wisdom and shared experience of people with a proven track record. To some extent, it happens already with subsidised transfers. Rupert Goold's Macbeth and the Jonathan Church-Philip Franks Nicholas Nickleby are scheduled to move from Chichester into the Gielgud Theatre this autumn. Mackintosh's theatres also have a tie-in with the RSC. And it would be madness if Peter Hall's revelatory production of Pygmalion at Bath, which captures both the pain and the ecstasy of Shaw's original play, did not move into the West End. Jonathan Kent's impending season at the Haymarket is clearly an attempt to capitalise on his experience at the Almeida. And, although I've urged it before, I repeat that this should be a working model for the future. Why not give Richard Eyre or Stephen Daldry the freedom to create a West End company?

Or why not turn over a West End venue to Emma Rice's Kneehigh troupe for a year in order to woo the audience for visual theatre? What the West End needs is a radical makeover, even a minor revolution, in the interests of both quality and variety. I'd like to see Sunday openings, lottery money for the rotting fabric, more imaginative use of the buildings themselves: in particular, pre-show talks, jazz and poetry recitals, stand-up comics in the dead hours before the 7.30pm opening. If the commercial theatre can't beat the subsidised sector, it should, in effect, join it: not only by adopting its practices but by employing its personnel. In the old days, the West End theatre relied on actor-managers to give it body and substance. Now what it needs are director-managers, or even dramatist-impresarios, of proven vision. Otherwise it is destined to become little more than a gaudy musical fairground based on sinking land and of scant relevance to the art of theatre or to life. Some of the top musicals showing now in London's West End! BOOK NOW!

stefan.mineur@biz-london.com BILLY ELLIOT, VICTORIA PALACE THEATRE Adapted from the popular British film, Billy Elliot the Musical is a funny, heart-warming and feel-good celebration of a boy who, despite the taunts of sissiness from his peer group, goes on to achieve his dream of becoming a ballet dancer. This original story captured the hearts and minds of the world when the movie was released in October 2000. Nominated for 3 Oscar's and 13 Bafta awards this poignant film broke box office records across the world. Sir Elton John was so moved by the film that he offered to write the songs for the musical. A number of the team who made the film have been equally involved with the musical and the results are evident. THE BODYGUARD ï¿½ ADELPHI THEATRE The Bodyguard premieres in Londonï¿½s West End this autumn starring Heather Headley & Lloyd Owen. Based on the legendary smash-hit film, this breathtaking romantic thriller features a whole host of Whitney Houstonï¿½s greatest hits, including the legendary I Will Always Love You.

A CHORUS LINE ï¿½ LONDON PALLADIUM Auditions are underway for a new Broadway musical. For everyone present, it's the chance of a lifetime. It's the one opportunity to do what they've always dreamed of - to have the chance to dance. Told through captivating song, riveting drama and stunning choreography, the auditionees describe the events that have shaped their lives and their decisions to become dancers. Based on true stories, A Chorus Line revolutionised Broadway, becoming the longest running musical in New York theatre history, breaking records, winning nine Tony Awards, seven Drama Desk Awards, the New York Critic' Circle Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Now for the first time since its award-winning London season premiered in 1975, the original creators join forces to bring this legendary musical to the world-famous London Palladium. Boasting such classics as 'One (Singular Sensation)', 'What I Did For Love' and 'At The Ballet', A Chorus Line is an iconic musical masterpiece that should not be missed.

JERSEY BOYS - PRINCE EDWARD THEATRE Jersey Boys is the unforgettable tale of four blue-collar kids working their way from the streets of Newark to the heights of pop stardom, and features all their classic hits, including Sherry, Big Girls Donï¿½t Cry, Canï¿½t Take My Eyes Off You, Bye Bye Baby (Baby Goodbye), Working My Way Back to You, Walk Like A Man, December 1963 (Oh What A Night) and more. Jersey Boys were directed by Des McAnuff, with a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, and music and lyrics by Bob Crewe and The Four Seasonsï¿½ own Bob Gauido, this brilliant new production has already won four Tony Awards, including ï¿½Best Musicalï¿½, ï¿½Best Actor in a Musicalï¿½, ï¿½Best Featured Actor in a Musicalï¿½ and ï¿½Best Lighting Design of a Musicalï¿½.

The UK cast will be headed by Ryan Molloy (Jerry Springer, Tonight's the Night, On the Town & Godspell) as Frankie Valli, Stephen Ashfield (Taboo, The Marriage of Figaro) as Bob Gaudio, Glenn Carter (Jesus Christ Superstar, Chess, Les Miserables, Grease) as Tommy DeVito and Phillip Bulcock (Grease) as Nick Massi. LES MISERABLES - QUEENS THEATRE "Will you join in our crusade? Who will be strong and stand with me? Somewhere beyond the barricade Is there a world you long to see? Do you hear the people sing? Say, do you hear the distant drums? It is the future that they bring When tomorrow comes..." The first of Cameron Mackintosh's large scale musicals. Adapted from Victor Hugo's novel, Les Misï¿½rables is the epic tale of a man's life journey through 18th century France and his struggle to live through the injustice and revolution of the time. It is full of passion and courage and has been acclaimed the world over. The dramatic score includes numbers such as On My Own, One More Day, and Do You Hear the People Sing?

THE LION KING - LYCEUM THEATRE The Lion King musical - Julie Taymor directs the stage adaptation of Disney's hugely successful animated film The Lion King. When the young lion prince Simba is born, his evil uncle Scar is pushed back to second in line to the throne. Scar plots to kill both Simba and his father, King Mufasa, and proclaim himself King. Simba survives, but is led to believe that his father died because of him and he decides to flee the kingdom. Tim Rice and Elton John's musical The Lion King won six Tony Awards on Broadway and has been nominated for eight Olivier Awards. MAMMA MIA ï¿½ NOVELLO THEATRE Writer Catherine Johnson's sunny, funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings 3 men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. The story-telling magic of ABBAï¿½s timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, and every night everyoneï¿½s having the time of their lives!

The show features 27 of Abba's best known songs including Dancing Queen, Knowing Me Knowing You, Super Trouper and Mamma Mia! THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - HER MAJESTYï¿½S THEATRE Based on Gaston Leroux's gothic novel, Andrew Lloyd Webber's romantic musical The Phantom of the Opera is a haunting story of seduction and despair. The Phantom of the Opera is set in the Paris Opera House during the 19th century, where the facially disfigured Phantom haunts and terrorizes occupants. The mysterious masked Phantom falls in love with the young and beautiful soprano Christine and whisks her away to his subterranean lair below the theatre to teach her to sing "like an angel". Although she initially becomes entranced by him, she loves another: Raoul, a nobleman and patron of the Opera. She is faced with a stark choice: stay with the Phantom forever, or he will kill Raoul. The Music of the Night. With some of the most lavish sets, costumes and special effects ever to have been created for the stage, The Phantom of the Opera is a musical phenomenon.

ROCK OF AGES ï¿½ GARRICK THEATRE ROCK OF AGES is the ï¿½insanely funï¿½ (New York Time Out) worldwide smash hit that features a raucous mix of 28 eyebrow-scorching tunes including Donï¿½t Stop Believinï¿½, We Built This City, The Final Countdown, Wanted Dead or Alive, Here I Go Again, Canï¿½t Fight this Feeling and I Want To Know What Love Is. Set in LAï¿½s infamous Sunset Strip in 1987, ROCK OF AGES tells the story of Drew, a boy from South Detroit, and Sherrie, a small-town girl, both in LA to chase their dreams of making it big and falling in love. ROCK OF AGES takes you back to the times of big bands with big egos playing big guitar solos and sporting even bigger hair! SINGING IN THE RAIN ï¿½ THE PALACE THEATRE After an acclaimed sell out run at Chicester, Singinï¿½ in the Rain brings the glamour of the MGM film to the Palace theatre.

Set at a time of change in the film world, Singin' In The Rain follows silent movie star Dan Lockwood who has everything he could ever want; fame, adulation and even a well-publicised romance with his co-star Lina Lamont. But there are rumours doing the rounds of a new kind of film that could alter everything, a kind of film where actors talk... and sing... and dance. THRILLER - LYRICS THEATRE Thriller ï¿½ Live is a musical tribute to Michael Jackson's career, from his time in the Jackson 5 to the present day. To bring to life on stage the sensational dancing and characteristic sound of the Jacksonï¿½s greatest hits, Thriller- Live includes eye-popping multi-media effects and dazzling choreography by the shows award-winning Gary Lloyd along with additional choreography by 5 time MTV award-winning LeVelle Smith Jnr. In. Except of the best Jackson songs delivered by an extremely talented cast and live band, including the hits: Can You Feel It, Rock With You, Sheï¿½s Out Of My Life, Beat It, Billie Jean, Earth Song and Thriller there are many more!

TOPHAT ï¿½ ALDWYCH THEATRE It's time to put on your top hat and brush off your tails.......Seventy-seven years after Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers lit up Hollywood's silver screen with one of the greatest dance musicals of all time, RKO Pictures' Top Hat is coming to the West End's Aldwych Theatre. . Judging by the sensational reviews, standing ovations and sold out theatres around the country on its pre-London tour, it has been well worth the wait. Packed full of Irving Berlin's greatest hits, stunning tap, romantic ballroom and a little bit of Busby Berkeley thrown in for good measure, Top Hat is a giddy, glorious celebration of 1930s song and dance, featuring magnificent sets, over 200 costumes and a love story that will set the pulses racing! WE WILL ROCK YOU, DOMINION THEATRE Globalisation is complete. Everywhere, the kids watch the same movies, wear the same fashions and think the same thoughts. It's a safe, happy Ga Ga world. Unless you're a rebel. Unless you want to rock. On Planet Mall all musical instruments are banned.

The Company Computers generate the tunes and the kids download them. It is an age of Boy Bands and of Girl Bands. But resistance is growingï¿½ featuring 31 of Queen's greatest songs, including Killer Queen, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, We Are The Champions, and We Will Rock You. WICKED, APOLLO VICTORIA THEATRE Wicked, a spectacular hit on Broadway, tells the untold story of the legendary witches from Frank L Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. When Dorothy famously triumphed in Oz, only one side if the story was told. Now, Wicked brings to life the captivating and surprising story of how misunderstood, green girl named Elphaba became the Wicked Witch of the West. Based on Gregory Maguire's best selling novel, Wicked transports audiences to a fantasy land of wizardry and witchcraft, with Grammy award winning music, Tony award winning sets and costumes, and stunning special effects. Experience this magical adventure and discover the whole story about the land of Oz...!

Broadway Show Tickets | Theatre.com Les Miserables — London 1985-12-04Started: Dec 4, 1985 Les Miserables has indisputably become the world's most popular musical, having been seen by over 55 million people worldwide, in 40 countries and in 21 languages and is approaching it's 25th ... The Mousetrap — London 1952-11-25Started: Nov 25, 1952 Agatha Christie's murder mystery The Mousetrap has played continuously in the West End since 1952. A London institution, the show centres on a group of travelers stranded at Monkswell Manor, who ... The Phantom of the Opera — London 1986-10-09Started: Oct 9, 1986 Andrew Lloyd Webber's masterwork is a timeless story of seduction and despair. Set at the Paris opera house, a beautiful soprano becomes the obsession of a mysterious, disfigured musical genius.

The Woman in Black — London 1989-06-07Started: Jun 7, 1989 The Woman in Black is the story, told in flashback, of a young man named Arthur Kipps who is sent to a deceased woman's house to learn more about her so ... The Lion King — London 1999-09-24Started: Sep 24, 1999 The Lion King pulses with an award-winning score and innovative puppetry to bring the classic story of young royal heir Simba and the animals of the African Pride Lands to vivid ... Stomp — London 2003-10-08Started: Oct 8, 2003 A high-energy, percussive symphony, coupled with dance, played entirely on unconventional instruments, such as garbage can lids, buckets, brooms and sticks. It is movement made original through the use of ... Mamma Mia — London 2004-06-03Started: Jun 3, 2004 ABBA's greatest hits are woven into a sunny tale set on a Greek island.

On the eve of her wedding, a bride's quest to discover her father's identity brings three men from ... Wicked — London 2006-09-09Started: Sep 9, 2006 The untold musical story of The Wizard of Oz’s Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good... before Dorothy dropped in. Based on the imaginative Gregory Maguire novel, Wicked takes ... Jersey Boys — London 2008-02-28Started: Feb 28, 2008 Jersey Boys tells the story of how Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons went from being unknown New Jersey kids to international pop superstars. The show features over 30 beautifully ... Thriller - Live — London 2009-01-02Started: Jan 2, 2009 Moonwalking into the West End after three acclaimed U.K. tours and standing ovations across Europe, Thriller - Live is a spectacular, high octane show celebrating the career of the world's undisputed ...

Matilda — London 2011-10-18Started: Oct 18, 2011 Adapted from the popular 1988 Roald Dahl children's novel, Matilda follows an intelligent young girl with extraordinary powers who rebels against her nasty parents and the child-hating headmistress of her boarding school. What are the 10 most expensive West End shows in history? - Telegraph Culture News What are the 10 most expensive West End shows in history? As Elf opens in the West End charging £240 for its best ticket, we look at the musicals with the highest ticket prices in 2015 Will Ferrell in the 2003 Hollywood film, Elf Photo: Rex Features Follow As the musical Elf begins its 10-week run in London's West End, it has caught the attention of theatregoers for the high cost of its tickets. The musical comedy's priciest ticket will set you back £240, making it the most expensive show in West End history. The show, based on Will Ferrell's popular Christmas film, follows one of Father Christmas's elves as he travels to New York to find his biological father.

It stars Ben Forster and former Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh at the Dominion theatre. Ticket prices for Elf Musical are absolutely atrocious! £250 for a top price seat? NOT ACCEPTABLE! #ElfMusical — Rebecca (@beckicee) August 20, 2015 But Elf is not alone in charging high fares for its best seats - this year West End shows broke the £200 mark for tickets for the first time , with the previous record being set by The Book of Mormon at £202. And with the countdown to the start of the festive season underway, online touts are reselling tickets for far more than their face value. A spokeswoman for Elf said premium prices were introduced as a means of eradicating the ticket touts on the street. She said: "What we’re seeing is people electing to buy at the higher prices to guarantee their being able to see the show on the day they want to. "Ticket prices are set according to the commercial terms and budgets for the show.

These prices – like all things – will fluctuate depending on supply and demand." She added that the production had reduced ticket prices for schools and for groups and that only a very limited number of performances offered premium tickets at over £200. The good news is that while the most expensive seats continue to increase, cheaper seats have fallen in price. The average West End ticket is £20.13, down from £20.36 last year. Elf's cheapest ticket is on sale for £51, and booking fees range from £3.30 to £15 depending on the face value of the ticket. The most expensive musicals on the West End this year 1. Elf £240 The Book of Mormon 2. The Book of Mormon £202.25 A satirical tale of two American Mormons who go to Uganda in an attempt to convert the locals. The show picked up nine Tony awards in its first year on Broadway alone, and has been a regular feature in theatres across the globe since it opened in 2011. 3. Wicked £128 Wicked is about an unlikely friendship that forms between two girls who first meet as sorcery students at Shiz University.

It has been seen by over 50 million people in 13 countries and has won over 100 international awards. 4. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical £127.50 Beautiful follows the life of chart-topping music legend Carole King and her attempts to break into the record industry as a teenager. Despite only hitting the West End this year, the show has already picked up an Olivier Award. Musical magic: The Lion King is now in its 16th year at London's Lyceum Theatre 5. The Lion King £125, Miss Saigon £125 Based on the Disney film of a young lion who struggles against his evil uncle and grows up to take control of the pride. Now in its 17th year in London, it is one of the highest-grossing stage shows in history, having already grossed more than £4 billion globally. 6. Matilda £122 The musical behind the popular Roald Dahl story of a precocious young girl with uncaring parents. As well as the West End, it has been to Broadway and Australia, and has been watched by a few million people and picked up over 10 Tony awards. 7.

Jersey Boys £114 (includes VIP lounge entry and benefits) The show tells the story of the lives of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons as well as their music. It has been seen by over 20 million people worldwide and won 57 major global awards. 8. Let it be £102.50 (includes a brochure in the price) Let It Be showcases The Beatles' rise to fame from their humble beginnings in Liverpool’s Cavern Club and the Beatlemania that led to their iconic status in rock history. It has been watched by over a million people across the globe in the three years since it opened and has been performed in Germany, Japan, Moscow, and France. 9. Billy Elliot £102 Set in a northern mining town during the 1980s strikes, Billy Elliot is about a teenage boy’s attempt to become a ballet dancer while his family struggles to survive during the miners' strikes. The show has been on stage for a decade now, and has been seen by around 10 million people. 10.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory £100 The tale of a young boy who wins a golden ticket to Wonka's weird and wonderful Chocolate Factory recently celebrated its 1000th performance and has already won two Olivier awards since it opened in 2013.

Question: Which popular stage show, now showing in the West End of London is based on the story of the group Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons?
Answer: JERSEY BOYS