As many people approach Christmas they tend to look back on where they have been and what they have done over the previous year. But if you have itchy feet then now is a time for planning what to do and where to go next.
All year we have been hearing about London, thanks to the Olympic Games, but now that is over, what is there to do… that’s new!
Over recent years London’s Theatreland has remained quite static, but 2012 gave it a bit of a shake up. Yes some of the old classics are still there – ‘Phantom’, ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘Les Miserables’, ‘Mamma Mia!’ ‘The Lion King’, ‘The Mousetrap’ – but many have gone and THAT is only good news for anyone thinking of putting London on their list of holiday destinations in 2013 – even if it is just for a weekend break in London! So what is there to look out for?
The big show with a World Premiere right at the end of 2012 but already booking well into 2013 is ‘Viva Forever!’ The exclamation mark may give away the fact that it is produced by the same team that produced ‘Mamma Mia!’ And, like Mamma Mia! It has taken the songs of a super group to help the story along. The super group in question is The Spice Girls! And the writer given the job of making sense of their “Ziga-zig-ahh” is comedy legend Jennifer Saunders. Put all this together and I think you will agree, it has the pedigree to be the next big thing in London – and you could see it first!
The second show to be worthy of mention is ‘Charlie and The Chocolate Factory’ which will be coming to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane from June 2013. The huge success of Tim Minchin’s stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s ‘Matilda’ (which is also still on in London), must have been at the forefront of the producers for this show. Again the team behind the production is a good indication of its chances for success. Sam Mendes will produce, he has just finished producing ‘Skyfall’, the latest James Bond movie, the songs are by Marc Shaiman and Scott Whitmann who wrote the songs for the stage show ‘Hairspray’ and Award-winning actor Douglas Hodge will play Wonka in a move that has been seen as a triumph of talent over celebrity!
Third on our list is another stage adaptation of a hit film. This time it comes with its own pre-written hit songs: ‘The Bodyguard’ was a huge success for Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner and the stage version looks to do the same for its stars. Of course the music is well known: in addition to the movie sound track, extra Whitney Houston songs have been included, and why not: Heather Headley who is playing the role is more than up to singing them. She created the role of Nala in the stage musical of ‘The Lion King’ and won a Tony for best actress in ‘Aida’ on Broadway but her vocal pedigree goes way beyond the stage with a long list of award-winning live and recorded performances. The Bodyguard himself is British beefcake and ex ‘Monarch of the Glen’ star Lloyd Owen.
If these first three shows are all about the stars then our next show is all about the chorus: ‘A Chorus Line’ is back! If you are a fan of X Factor and the like then you need to see this. ‘A Chorus Line’ is based on the true stories, the real life auditions that dancers go through for every job they do get and every job they don’t get! This is the show many dancers quote as being the show that inspired them to dance (no, not ‘Strictly Come Dancing’!) but it is also the show that shows us mere mortals how hard that choice is! It has been over 30 years since the show was first in London but having seen it more recently it hasn’t aged. As a dramatic piece there is no doubt it will be a success but will it fill the London Palladium night after night? This is why it is in my list because it will undoubtedly be one of the successes of 2013 and you really must go and see it, but I’m a realist – how many of you actually will?
The last show in my top five is one that I predict will be a slow burner but will become one of those shows that takes London over for many years to come. ‘Once’ is another Broadway import and yet another stage adaptation of successful movie. If you haven’t seen either, it is the story of the relationship between an Irish musician and a young Czech mother who meet through a shared love of music. A talented cast of actor/musicians bring the music to life and it won no less than 8 Tony’s in 2012. Although it is not always the case that a successful Broadway show becomes a successful London show I think this one will.
So that is my top five! It is, I have to say, the tip of the iceberg. I’ve not mentioned any of the great plays featuring a multitude of stars that will open in 2013… and I have steered clear of the gossip mongers who will have every musical ever written, coming to London – however likely that may be. And I’ve not mentioned any of the shows that are already wooing London audiences and will continue to do so throughout 2013 and the beyond. But maybe that was my fault for only promising you 5 shows!
About the author: Simon Harding has been promoting London theatre for over 30 years. He currently runs London Theatre Breaks and recently wrote London Theatre and Theatre Breaks – a guide on getting the best out of your London theatre-going. SPECIAL OFFER: Readers can download a copy by clicking on the link – it’s free for a tweet or a share.
