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5 musicals that give fans a dose of girl power

Sometimes you need some help to hype yourself up - here are our pick of musicals that’ll help you do just that.

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Stories about damsels in distress are so passé – we’d much rather inspiring narratives from strong women with more complex characters. So it’s great news that West End is packed full of them. We’ve rounded up five musicals that will give you a dose of girl power, and because there are so many empowering showtunes out there, check out our playlist for even more.


SIX! The Musical

Yass Queens! (Literally). Henry VIII’s six wives finally get their chance to take to the mic and tell us what really went down. Part pop-concert, part history lesson, this modern retelling of the oft-mentioned wives will teach you more about them than you learned at school, and it’s the ultimate lesson in how to flex on your ex. [Find tickets]


Matilda The Musical

Remember when Matilda’s dad said; “I’m smart, you’re dumb; I’m big, you’re little; I’m right, you’re wrong, and there’s nothing you can do about it”? Pfft. Matilda has been teaching young girls for decades that even if you’re little you can do a lot, and now thanks to a Tim Minchin score and a West End stage, there’s no escaping the small-but-mighty girl boss who takes on her haters (aka Miss Trunchbull and her own parents). [Find tickets]


Hairpray

Tracy Turnblad is a big girl who is rejected by society because of her size and silenced despite her talent. But with inspiring women to look up to (like her mother Edna, and Motormouth Maybelle) she’s able to take pride in herself without having to change – and if you don’t like the way they look, well, they just don’t give a damn! [Find tickets]

Big, Blonde and Beautiful


& Juliet

Contains pretty much every pop song you’ve ever loved, & Juliet follows Shakespeare and his wife, Anne Hathaway, fighting over how the story should really end. What if instead of Juliet ending her life because of Romeo, she started living it properly? Along with a supporting cast of diverse, independent and complex characters, prepare to leave feeling empowered and energised. [Find tickets]

Miriam-Teak Lee – Stronger [Official Audio]

9 To 5 The Musical

The fact that 9 To 5 is scored by Dolly Parton, a certified boss lady, is all you really need to know. However you should also know it tells the story of three female workmates pushed to boiling point by their sexist and egotistical boss. It will leave you with the ultimate sense of female solidarity and inspire you to take care of business. [Find tickets]

One of the Boys (feat. Caroline Sheen & Original London Cast) (Live)


Stream the full playlist below:


Discover more:

Feature: 8 of our favourite Olivier Award performances
Feature: The 15 best songs from musicals to work out to
Feature: 10 songs that sample your favourite showtunes


For more from the world of the stage, visit our Theatre Guide.