London is an iconic multi-faceted city, a place where everything is magic. Here, many cultures meet and merge to create something that is hard to find elsewhere. You can appreciate this in every art form, especially in music. One always thinks of British pop but there are other opportunities such as musicals.
The London culture of musicals
There are numerous venues and theatres in London where you can watch musicals performed by the greatest artists from all over the world. This theatrical genre originated in the United States of America in the late 19th and early 20th century. It later spread to the Old Continent and especially to London. Musicals originally ran mainly in Broadway theatres in New York, offering shows that followed the American taste and costume of that period. Then there was a strong diversification of the proposal and this contributed to the spread to all parts of the globe. For many, it is a revival of certain genres that already existed such as the theatre revue, the musical comedy and the simple operetta. They are characterised by the presence of protagonists who interact with each other by singing and dancing, through a plot that is never banal or predictable. London is the perfect city for those who want to enjoy musicals, especially in the West End area. Performances are organised here every day and revived cyclically due to the enormous success of the public. The English capital has always paid particular attention to this type of show and, in fact, you are spoilt for choice
London’s most important musicals
Planning a trip to London also means being able to sit in the theatre and exclusively enjoy the world’s most renowned musicals. In the recent past there have been many different types, some of which are still available today. Some of the biggest hits include the musical Mamma Mia! centred on the songs of ABBA or Wicked, which tells the story of The Wizarding World of Oz. The latter is a great classic set to the vicissitudes of the wicked Witch of the West, a young American girl away from home together with very interesting characters such as the cowardly lion, the tin man and the scarecrow. The proposal is so wide and varied that one can range from a Disney classic like The Lion King to the famous The Phantom of the Opera based on the novel by Gaston Leroux. One can be entertained with cheerful songs or enjoy the emotions of a moving story like Billy Elliot. In this variety of works, one appreciates the true essence of the London capital, open to all cultures and able to please everyone.
Where to see musicals in London
London’s culture towards musicals is so well established that the various shows can be seen in many theatres and venues. Close to the magnificent Royal Opera House, there is the Lyceum Theatre in which there are numerous must-see performances all year round. On the other hand, moving towards the Novello Theatre one can enjoy some great classics of the genre such as Mamma Mia while the more timeless operas that have been presented in various versions for over a century, such as The Phantom of the Opera, are usually presented at Her Majesty’s Theatre. The latter is in a fairly easy area to reach as it is a short walk from the National Gallery, near Trafalgar Square. It would be possible, for example, to combine a visit to the splendid London museum full of many works of art with the opportunity to relax and enjoy a wonderful musical. In London, however, there are other places to go including the Lyric Theatre, the Apollo Victoria Theatre near Westminster Abbey, and the Queen’s Theatre where major plays such as Les Miserables based on the novel of the same name written by Victor Hugo have been performed. Not to be forgotten either are the Prince of Wales Theatre, the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the Cambridge Theatre, the Palace Theatre and the Prince Edward Theatre.
So it only remains for us to wish you a good viewing!
Ig – @fairness_mag
