Top shows to see in London

Seeing a top show is one of the big draws for people coming to London, the West End has over 30 theatres with productions on. Here are ten shows to give an idea of what's on offer, with a couple that have just or are about to open.

Daddy Cool This show opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre in September 2006 and is a Romeo and Juliet style story based around the songs of the phenomenally successful 70’s pop group Boney M. Anyone growing up in the UK or Europe in the 1970’s will probably know all these songs whether you liked them or not. Performances run from Mon-Sat with matinees Thurs and Sat.

Dirty Dancing The Patrick Swazye movie re-written for the stage but including all the big songs from the film, one for the ladies. Just opened on October 2006 at the Aldwych Theatre, Dirty Dancing is on from Mon-Sat with an early evening Friday show and a Saturday matinee.

The Sound of Music Due to open in mid-November 2006 at the London Palladium, this will probably be one of the hot tickets to get not just because its a new Andrew Lloyd Webber production but because the female lead was chosen through a very successful recent BBC reality show called How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? which ended in September. (*The Sun had a brillant headline when Kim Jong Il set off his nuke, How Do You Solve A Problem Like Korea, with a Team America puppet in the picture). The Sound of Music runs Mon-Sat with matinees Wed and Sat.

The Producers Running at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane since November 2004, its run comes to an end in January 2007, so get along now if you’re a fan the Mel Brooks classic.
Mon-Sat with Wed and Sat matinees.

Chicago Another popular production that’s also been a movie in the last couple of years, a lot of actresses have had a go at playing Roxie Hart in Chicago’s nine years in the West End, the latest is Ashlee Simpson, sister of pop star Jessica, but she’s finishing her run at the end of October.

Mamma Mia Playing at the Prince of Wales theatre near Piccadilly Circus since 2004 this show originally opened in the West End in 1999. Another show using successful pop music from the 70’s, this time the songs of ABBA around a story of a mother and daughter and the girl’s wedding. Mon-Sat, early evening Friday and Saturday matinee performances.

Billy Elliot The Musical Heart warming story of a young lad who gives up his football boots and boxing gloves for a pair of ballet shoes. This show with music by Elton John has been running at the Victoria Palace Theatre near Victoria for over two years. The theatre recommends only children over 12 attend because of some strong language in the production.
Mon-Sat with matinees Thurs and Sat.

We Will Rock You A futuristic story that incorporates Queen songs, We Will Rock You has been in the West End for over four years, playing at the Dominion Theatre, where Tottenham Court Road meets Oxford Street. Mon-Sat with matinees on Sat.

The Lion King Playing at the Lyceum Theatre near the Strand, this is a long running show with songs by Tim Rice and Elton John. A spin off of the Disney movie it runs Tues-Sat with matinees Wed,Sat and Sun, Hakuna Matata.

Dancing in the Streets A new show that opened in 2006 at the Playhouse Theatre near the Embankment, Dancing in the Streets recreates the Tamla Motown Revue with the music of the Supremes, Smokey Robinson, Martha and the Vandellas, the Four Tops and others. Sounds like a great show.