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Five West End shows to see if you liked Les Misérables
Here’s what you should see next in the West End after seeing Les Misérables
If your day out seeing Les Misérables has left you with a show hangover, we’ve got the cure. Les Misérables is definitely considered a West End classic for a reason, but there are plenty more staples of London theatre that we believe everyone should see. And if you were captivated by what you saw at the Sondheim Theatre, here are the five shows that should be your top choices for your next ticket.
The Phantom Of The Opera
Another West End must-see based on a classic novel, The Phantom of the Opera has been running in London for over forty years and remains a favourite with audiences. Like Les Misérables, it has its roots in great literature, adapted from a novel by Gaston Leroux. The two shows also share praise for their iconic stage designs, rich costuming and unforgettable score. You can find Phantom at His Majesty’s Theatre.
Cabaret
Cabaret is also unafraid to use the musical theatre form to explore darker periods in history, although unlike Les Misérables, it’s more unsettling than outright tragic. The immersive Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre transports audiences back in time to the underbelly of 1930s Berlin, for a cabaret performance unlike any other. You’ll often catch famous faces in its cast, so make sure to keep an eye on casting announcements before you go.
Hamilton
If you’re ready for another historical, multi-character epic, Hamilton is the show for you. Like Les Misérables, it’s a sung-through musical, but with a rap and hip-hop influenced score that shook the theatre world when it first raised its curtain. With some hints towards the stirring of the French revolution overseas, it tells the story of America’s founding fathers like you’ve never heard it before – and one-ups Les Misérables’ revolving stage with a double revolve. See it for yourself at the Victoria Palace theatre.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical
If you’re missing Paris, Moulin Rouge! lets you take a very different trip. Set not too long in history after the story of Jean Valjean and the revolutionaries, the modern pop musical at the Piccadilly Theatre reimagines Baz Luhrmann’s film as a live extravaganza, bringing Bohemians and aristocrats together for a celebration of truth, beauty, freedom and love. Marius would approve.
Oliver!
Based on another beloved novel that has stood the test of time, Oliver! is Lionel Bart’s celebrated musical reimagined for the 2020s by Cameron Mackintosh. Dickens’ classic returns to the stage with all the heart and wit of the original – and the same celebrated score that has delighted audiences for decades. Make sure to secure your seats at the Gielgud Theatre.
