Must see London Shows for 2008
At $2 to the pound until quite recently London seemed like an expensive and crowded tourist option for many Americans, Europeans and Australians. But the credit crunch has seen to that and London is suddenly 20% cheaper. And now the summer is over the crowds have dissipated and London is left with world-class attractions and plenty of beds, seats and chairs for visitors.
What?s on in the West End?
Here are four shows which I have recommended to visitors coming to London to see us this Autumn
Billy Elliot is the story of a mining town boyhood during the toughest years of Thatcherite reforms. The mining strikes makes life tough for Billy, but that is only the beginning of his woes. Because Billy is different. He loves to dance and that is simply not expected of boys in Northern towns. This show is a winner because it combines a win-against-the-odds story with superb music by Sir Elton John and a strong cast of superb dancers and performers. This show has won numerous awards and is the favourite memory many visitors take away from London.
The trend of Hollywood or TV stars treading the boards on the West End continues appropriately enough with the premiere of film-to-stage show Rain Man which debuts at London’s Apollo Theatre on the 19th of September. Rain Man has been adapted for the stage by Dan Gordon and tells the same story as the film starring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman for which Hoffman won an Oscar. The story revolves around the discovery by car salesman Charlie that he has an older brother, Raymond, who had been institutionalised since he was a kid. Ray is an autistic savant with all the social difficulties the condition entails. However, he has a genius for numbers which turns in handy when Charlie’s business is in trouble. The play stars Hollywood actor Josh Hartnett (Black Hawk Down, The Black Dahlia) and well-known London thespian Adam Godley.
Another show better known as a film than a play is The Sound of Music at the London Palladium. The Rodgers and Hammerstein classic won 6 Tony Awards on Broadway 1959 and we have been singing the songs ever since. Revived in London with the help of a BBC talent show it has been a great hit and is a fabulous family outing.
Mamma Mia! You have seen the film. Now see the stage show which inspired the ABBA revival. You will be singing and dancing in the aisles. It is unforgettable. The stage show was written by English author Catherine Johnson, and the project’s originator, Judy Craymer while Bj?rn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson from ABBA worked on the music for the show. The result is a stunning feel-good show with romance, comedy and incredible music. The story is the same as the film ? a young woman, Sophie, invites three men she suspects may be her father to her wedding, but without telling her mother, Donna. The story is a search for identity which leads to unexpected romance for Donna as love is rediscovered.
After the show why not head to Edgware Road. At the Marble Arch end is a row of about 30 Lebanese restaurants each more authentic than the next. The Arabian style strip stays open extra late so you will never go hungry no matter how late you get out. This is London with a twist.
Transport to the West End is easy with tube stations at Covent Garden, Leicester Square and Holborn close-by and hosts of buses and cabs to take you back to your hotel or rented accommodation. For those interested in getting a deal, many theatres offer cheaper tickets same day. Details are on the theatre websites.