Left Out: Shows That Need A West End Debut
Posted on 7 February 2015
As Brits, we are lucky enough to be surrounded by some amazing original British musicals. We have modern ones like Made In Dagenham at the Adelphi Theatre and Matilda at the Cambridge Theatre, and we have older ones like Les Miserables and Phantom Of The Opera. Annoyingly though, New Yorkers seem to get an ever better bargain when it comes to homegrown American musicals that never seem to come to the West End. So, here are the top five shows that I feel must make their West End debuts ASAP.
5) The Bridges of Madison County (2014)
With a fantastic score by Jason Robert Brown, this show based on the movie and novel of the same name opened and closed earlier this year with a run a lot shorter than expected. Regardless to what most tourists must have thought, this show is absolutely stunning and the score is one of the best I have ever heard.
4) Violet (1997)
Though we most recently saw Broadway leading lady Sutton Foster take on the role in the Roundabout production this summer, this show originally hit NYC back in 1997 off-Broadway. Though that production faced a mixed response, the most original Broadway production starring Sutton Foster was a hit and definitely needs to find its way to the UK in the near future. Any ideas on who could be our Violet?
3) Kinky Boots (2012)
Kinky Boots is originally a British film, so I wonder why it’s taking so long for this show to hit our shores. Starring Tony Award-winner Billy Porter, this hit show about a boring British shoemakers that starts making shoes for transvestites has a fantastic score by Cyndi Lauper and an awesome book by Harvey Fierstein. Rumour has it the show is set to transfer in 2015... please oh please hurry up!
Update: A Kinky Boots musical London transfer has been confirmed for 2015! The show will transfer to the Adelphi Theatre later this year, directed by Jerry Mitchell, with Kinky Boots London tickets going on sale March 2, 2015.
2) Heathers: The Musical (2014)
Off-Broadway is a fantastic source of hidden musical gems and Heathers is no different. Based on the 80s cult classic film starring Winona Ryder, this story is the original Mean Girls. Given a humorous twist and some incredibly catchy songs (seriously, check the soundtrack out!), this show could be the next Legally Blonde...
1) The Little Mermaid (2007)
Disney like to make a spectacular for their audiences when it comes to stage musicals and, as you can imagine, The Little Mermaid is no different. Starring everyone’s favourite Christine Daae, Sierra Boggess took on the role of Ariel when the show hit Broadway in 2007 and we’ve been waiting for a London production ever since. C’mon Disney, what on Earth makes you think us Brits wouldn’t want to see Ariel and the gang live on stage!?
Are there any American musicals you want to see on the West End? Tweet me and let me know!
By Shaun Nolan
@shaunycat
