One of the things that I had on my bucket list before coming to London as a Study Abroad student was to catch as many shows as possible on the West End. As an avid musical theatre lover, I used to lament about the state of musical theatre in my home country, where it was simply much more difficult to be able to catch award-winning productions as often as I would have liked to.
For those who have yet to explore the world of musical theatre, it might be difficult to think about where to start off. Should you choose a celebrated play like the award-winning Hamilton? Or should you go with the latest West End releases and revivals such as Guys and Dolls? To kickstart your musical journey in a fun and palatable fashion, here are two recommendations that you can explore in your free time!
A timeless classic: Mamma Mia
Regardless of where you’re from, you are more likely than not to have heard of the names “Mamma Mia” and “ABBA”. This jukebox musical has captivated the undivided attention of audiences all over the world, and especially in the Novello Theatre today. Premiering in 1999, Mamma Mia is the sixth-longest running show in West End history. Set on the fictional but enchanting island of Kalokairi, the story follows Sophie and her mother, Donna, on a wild journey to discover the identity of her father before her wedding.
The magic of the musical is the integration of iconic ABBA hits like Dancing Queen, Waterloo, Thank You for the Music, and of course, the titular Mamma Mia into its humorous storyline. The ever-familiar tunes that ring throughout the show are sure to bring you on a rollercoaster ride of nostalgia and laughter, and it wouldn’t be surprising if you catch yourself or neighbour singing along to these timeless tunes. The vocal prowess of the cast, along with the exuberant dances presented by the ensemble presents the audience with a visual and audio feast, and there’s no doubt that the show promises an evening of good music and fantastic entertainment.
The pop musical: Six
For strict musical critics, Six might appear as an odd choice for a musical recommendation. After all, it is neither a jukebox musical, nor a “proper” musical in its traditional sense. For inquisitive historians, we might go on about how historically inaccurate the play might be. Discarding these criticisms, what Six has to offer is instead, a fresh and innovative presentation on what musicals can be, and it remains the friendly launching pad for those who have yet to explore the wonders of musical theatre.
The show revolves around the six wives of Henry VIII and reimagines their lives and stories in a pop concert format, giving each queen time to retell her story. The combination of pop music and history gives Six its unique breath of life amongst other musicals on the West End and adopts a dynamic approach to storytelling, making it a West End standout. The show focuses heavily on the theme of female empowerment and does its very best to amplify the voices of women in history and in the arts scene today.
Both musicals present a diverse theatrical experience that you would not want to miss out on during your time here in London. As much as both musicals are vastly different in their style, content and presentation, they really demonstrate the tapestry of the musical theatre scene in London and create an interesting contrast of what’s classical and what’s innovative in the arts industry today. What makes both shows even better is the proximity of these theatres to LSE – which means that catching a show after your weekday class doesn’t have to be that difficult! The West End is truly the heart of London, and I hope you will have as much fun as I had, singing and laughing your heart out when you get the opportunity to catch one of these shows soon.
