2013 is set to be one of the most exciting years in London’s Theatreland. With some big shows and some great stars I am sure we are set to be royally entertained.
From America we will be getting The Book of Mormon and Once whilst home grown musicals include Loserville and Viva Forever. Stage adaptations of successful movies include The Bodyguard and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory rub shoulders with revivals of older shows including A Chorus Line and Cabaret. But what I love when I go to the theatre is to be able to recognise a few of the songs, and nothing does that better than what is known in the trade as a “Juke Box Musical”: a musical created using the songs of a pop star or musical genre: recent successes already in London include Mamma Mia! (ABBA) We Will Rock You (Queen), Jersey Boys (Franki Valley and the four Seasons), Rock Of Ages (80′s American pop) and Thriller-Live (Michael Jackson).
Here are three shows that are hoping to emulate that success.
For no other reason than tickets are already starting to sell out so if we leave it to the end you may be too late, let me tell you about Viva Forever first. Is it ringing any bells for you? It might if I tell you this is the new Spice Girl musical featuring many of their biggest hits to tell the tale of Viva a girl who wants to be a star and the friends and family that help her on her way when she gets the chance to enter a TV talent show. OK half of you are cringing and already scanning to the next paragraph but I KNOW that quite a few of you just let out an involuntary whoop! For those who are still undecided maybe the news that the team behind this venture gave us
Mamma Mia! Will peak your interest a little. If you want my Ha’penny worth, I think it will be great fun!
Loserville is by former Busted and Son of Dork front man James Bourne. Set at the birth of the internet it follows Michael Dork is a computer geek who invention of email coincides with his discovery of girls! This is Glee meets The Big Bang Theory! A great feel-good night out that will have you buzzin’ all the way home (see it whilst email still exists!)
Lastly is the stage adaptation of the hit movie, The Bodyguard which starred Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner and had every wannabee Karaoke singer reaching for the high notes in “I Will Always Love You”. Added to the songs from the sound track are a few of Whitney’s biggest hits… and to sing them? Heather Headley is a Broadway sensation who created the role of Nala in the Lion King on Broadway and more recently won a Tony Award for Best Actress in Aida. She is truly a talented singer and actress and will send shivers down your spine with her stunning renditions of long list of Whitney songs including One Moment in Time, Saving All My Love, Run to You, I Have Nothing and I Wanna Dance With Somebody.
About the Author: Simon Harding has been promoting London Theatre for 30 years. He runs London Theatre Breaks and has recently written “London Theatre and Theatre Breaks“, an e-guide to getting the most out of a trip to London’s world famous Theatreland.”
This 3 Popular Musicals for London 2013 is written on Nelmitravel