London is renowned for its West End productions, some of which have run for many years. There are a number of theatres in London and many of these launch new productions each year.
There are several ways to buy tickets for any of the musicals available in 2012. This can be by phone to the Theatre Box Office, via online booking agencies, or as part of a package holiday as an optional extra.
Be sure to purchase tickets from reputable agencies, which should be members of STAR (The Society of Ticket Agencies and Retailers) or The Ticket Agents Association. Agencies will charge a booking fee on top of the ticket price.
There are many discounted theatre tickets available from agencies, or if you are prepared to go in person and queue, it is possible to buy last minute tickets for shows that day from the non-profit Leicester Square ticket booth. Do not be tempted by the offer of tickets for popular or sold out shows from touts on the street. Many of these may be counterfeit and are often exorbitantly priced.
Backbeat at the Duke of York Theatre runs until February 2012. It tells the story of The Beatles, from a small time band to the international success they became. Many of the old classic rock and roll songs are featured such as ‘Twist and Shout’, ‘Money’ and ‘Long Tall Sally’.
American Idiot at The Hammersmith Apollo Theatre is about three men who have been friends since childhood. They are trying to work out the meaning of the world post 9/11. Music for the production is by Green Day and the lyrics are by the author Billie Joe Armstrong. The show runs from December 4th until December 9th 2012.
Midnight Tango opens on January 20th 2012 at the Aldwych Theatre, running until March 31st. Created by Strictly Come Dancing Stars Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace, it is set in downtown Buenos Aires and features the Tango, with all its sensual elegance. For those who love Latin dancing, it will be a must see show.
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre will host ‘Ragtime’ from May 18th to early September 2012. Based on a book by Terrance McNally, it features the relationship between three different families. It is said to be a tale of hope and transformation. The music is by Stephen Flaherty and the lyrics by Lynn Ahrens.
The Novello Theatre is due to stage ‘Mamma Mia’. It is the emotional tale of a mother and daughter on the night before the daughter’s wedding. Featuring the well loved music and lyrics of Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, with some of the songs sung by Stig Anderson, the production is due to run from 6th of September 2012 until April 2013.
American tap dancer Jerry Travers is set to star in Top Hat, his first West End production. With music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, it will appeal to old and young alike. The film has been adapted for the stage at the Aldwych Theatre from April 19th 2012 and due to run until January 2013.
The iconic sixties songs of Roy Orbison, Eddie Cochrane, Billy Fury, Chuck Berry and The Shadows feature in the production set to run at the Playhouse Theatre from the 7th of January 2012. Dreamboats & Petticoats; the Musical has been put together by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran. Bookings are available up to November 24th 2012.
The stage version of another classic, ‘Singin’ in the Rain’, is based the tale of a star from the silent movies. Don Lockwood has it all, until the advent of the ‘Talkies’, which change Hollywood forever. The Palace Theatre Production will start on the 4th February 2012 and they are taking bookings up to 29th September 2012.
The Adelphi Theatre will be hosting a production of Sweeney Todd – The Demon of Fleet Street, from March 10th until September 22nd 2012. Sweeney Todd has been falsely imprisoned and on his release, goes on a mission of justice and retribution. Adapted for the stage by Christopher Bond, the music and lyrics are by Stephen Sondheim.
The Young Vic Theatre will present a musical play called The Suit from May 21st 2012 to June 16th 2012. Based on the book by Can Themba with music by Frank Krwczyk, it is set in 1950, Sophiatown and is about how a cuckolded husband deals with his wife’s infidelity.
Make the most of a city break in London in 2012 by watching one or more of these memorable West End Productions.
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