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Five West End shows to see if you liked The Phantom of the Opera
Here’s what you should see next in the West End after seeing The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera has been one London’s biggest musicals for decades, but its reach extends far beyond the West End. Having played for over 160 million people in 201 cities, it remains one of the most popular shows of all time. A night at The Phantom of the Opera guarantees a magnificent theatrical experience, but the West End has plenty more to discover, from further adventures in Paris to other celebrated adaptations of classic novels. If you’re still haunted by Phantom, let us help you pick your next ticket.
Les Misérables
Also adapted from a popular work of French literature, Les Misérables is the only show in London that boasts more performances than The Phantom of the Opera. Like Phantom, the staging is iconic, the design immersive, and the score beloved by generations of theatregoers. If you loved Phantom, this is the perfect show to tick off next – catch it at the Sondheim Theatre.
Starlight Express
This dazzling steam train extravaganza is another of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s big hits, with some of the West End’s best costuming and design, all housed in the specially designed Starlight Auditorium in the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre. It’s a very different sound from Webber, so if you’d like to experience another side of the famous composer, this is the show for you.
Beetlejuice
Another ghost story, but one with quite a different tone. Far from a brooding, mysterious figure of dark romance, Beetlejuice is an unappealing, self-serving, slightly gross spectre, appealing to a young girl in a bid to be alive again. If Phantom’s shadows have left you in the mood for something lighter in tone – but no less creepy – you can catch Beetlejuice at the Prince Edward Theatre from 20 May.
Oliver!
There are a lot of great authors represented in the West End at the moment, and Dickens is another of them, with Lionel Bart’s Oliver! adapted from Dickens’ Oliver Twist. Like Phantom, Oliver! reimagines a classic 19th century novel with a seminal score and plenty of heart. You’ll find it at the Gielgud Theatre.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Set not far from the Palais Garnier Opera House, at the less respectable Moulin Rouge, this eye-popping show is packed full of songs you’ll recognise, along with a heavy dose of Parisian glamour. A lush spectacle, it’ll take you to a different corner of the city – and introduce you to another doomed romance… See it at the Piccadilly Theatre.
