The Evening Standard's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
It has been a fabulous year so far for musical theatre in London.
We've had Fiddler on the Roof transferring to the West End, Come From Away fresh from Broadway and a return of Sondheim's Follies to show the breadth of creativity on the capital's stages.
Now it's time to look ahead to what will see us through the summer, from returning favourites and long-awaiting transfers to brand new future classics. So here are the musicals running in London over the next few months that you need to keep an eye out for:
Evita
The crowning jewel of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s 2019 season is a brand new production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical. Jamie Lloyd will direct the tale of Eva Peron, from her early life in poverty to the First Lady of Argentina, including some familiar tunes: Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, You Must Love Me and Another Suitcase in Another Hall. The last Lloyd Webber musical to be revived here, Jesus Christ Superstar, went on to pick up a handful of gongs at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards.
August 2-September 21, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, openairtheatre.com
Jesus Christ Superstar
It’s yet another biblical Lloyd Webber and Rice revival as the Evening Standard Award-winning musical transfers to the Barbican Theatre, following two smash hit runs at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Similarly to Joseph, this started life as a concept album in the seventies, looking at the last week in the life of Jesus Christ.
July 4-August 24, Barbican Theatre
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
It has been 50 years since the concept album behind Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was released. Beginning life as a school concert, the biblical tale has gone on to reach more than 80 countries since 1973. This limited run of the Lloyd Webber and Rice classic tells the story of Joseph, son of Jacob, who finds out he has the ability to interpret dreams. Sheridan Smith and Jason Donovan feature in the cast, while newcomer Jac Yarrow stars in the titular role – find out all about him here.
June 27-September 8, London Palladium
The Light in the Piazza
Set in Florence in the summer of 1953, Margaret and her daughter Clara take in the wonders of Italy. When Clara meets local young man Fabrizio, secrets come to light that have been hidden for years. Four time Grammy Award winner Renée Fleming and Disney star Dove Cameron make their London stage debuts in the show, based on Elizabeth Spencer’s novel.
June 14-July 5, Royal Festival Hall
Blues in the Night
Anyone who caught Caroline, or Change will know how much of a musical theatre powerhouse Sharon D Clarke is. Next up, she’s starring alongside Clive Rowe in the first major London revival of Blues in the Night in 30 years, directed by Susie McKenna. The lives of four hotel residents intertwine with the music of Duke Ellington, Bessie Smith and many other jazz icons.
July 20-September 7, Kiln Theatre, kilntheatre.com
The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾
Nearly 40 years after his first diary entry, Adrian Mole gets his life set to music. The first two books of Sue Townsend’s bestselling series are adapted in the musical, following him through the onset of puberty and his belief that he’s an undiscovered genius. Four boys will alternate the role of Adrian, including Aaron Gelkoff, who recently starred alongside Sharon D Clarke in Caroline, or Change.
June 15-October 12, Ambassadors Theatre
Big the Musical
Wishes do come true – Big the Musical is coming to London. Jay McGuiness stars in the role made famous by Tom Hanks, as a 12 year old boy who wishes to be big and ends up as a 30 year old man. McGuiness played Josh in the musical’s initial run at Theatre Royal Plymouth in 2016, a year after winning Strictly Come Dancing.
September 6-November 2, Dominion Theatre
Come From Away
Read More
The small town of Gander in Newfoundland, Canada is the setting for this true story. Following the 9/11 attacks, 7,000 air passengers were stranded when nearly 40 flights were diverted there. The musical comes to the West End after a sell out run on Broadway, an upbeat and celebratory show about the kindness of strangers following a tragedy.
Until February 15 2020, Phoenix Theatre
Waitress
Small town pie-maker Jenna gets the chance to escape her loveless marriage when a new doctor and a baking contest arrive in town. Original New York star Katharine McPhee hands over her role to Lucie Jones in Sara Bareilles and Jessie Nelson’s show, which became the first Broadway musical to have four women in the top creative roles. It's based on the 2007 film that starred Keri Russell. Strictly Come Dancing star Ashley Roberts will also perform for a limited run from June.
Until October 19, Adelphi Theatre
9 to 5 the Musical
What a way to make a living. The famous Dolly Parton film from 1980 gets a stage makeover with some familiar faces. Love Island’s Amber Davies makes her West End debut as she joins Louise Redknapp, Brian Conley and Natalie McQueen in the musical, which first opened on Broadway in 2009. Like the film, it follows three colleagues who team up against their sexist boss. Dolly Parton herself has been closely involved with the musical, writing a host of new songs.
Until April 2020, Savoy Theatre
Six
The six wives of Henry VIII have had enough, so they’ve formed a girl band and are heading out on tour. The initial run at the Arts Theatre proved so popular that they announced the return before it had even ended. The Standard’s Fiona Mountford said in a five star review the musical was “the most uplifting piece of new British musical theatre I have ever had the privilege to watch”.
Until January 5 2020, Arts Theatre
Only Fools and Horses
Del Boy, Rodney and Grandad get a new lease of life in this one. Son of the TV show’s creator Jim Sullivan has teamed up with Paul Whitehouse to create Only Fools and Horses: The Musical, which sees Whitehouse also step into the shoes of Grandad. He’s joined by Tom Bennett and Ryan Hutton in a trip back to 1989, complete with all the dodgy dealings you’d expect.
Until June 22, Theatre Royal Haymarket
15 best musical theatre songs of all time
