Every year starts with a bang in Theatreland. A whole raft of productions announce their impending arrival in London’s West End and 2015 is no different.
So, on with the show!
Bend it Like Beckham
Gurinda Chadha’s story of an Indian girl whose traditional Indian upbringing is turned upside when a football talent scout spots her potential. The musical promises to have the same balance of East meets West, West scores a goal but East equalises in the dying seconds, with a score that is part London musical and part bollywood bonanza (sort of like Jai Ho in football boots) with the Bhangra sound added to Howard Goodall’s score by BritBhang (is that a thing?) star Kuljit Bhamra
Bend it Like Beckham opens at the Phoenix Theatre London in May 2015
Beautiful – the Carole King musical
So many shows in London come with the tag “the soundtrack to a generation” Jersey Boys, Sunny Afternoon, Rock of Ages, Thriller Live, so why not add another one!
Beautiful is a lovely story too about a lovely and talented lady. Songs include You’ve Lost that Lovin Feelin, The Locomotion, You’ve Got a Friend, You Make Me Feel (like a natural Woman) Up on the Roof, Take Good Care of My Baby, I Feel The earth Move… if you are that generation, then this is your sound track!
It is a mssive hit on Broadway and there should be no doubt that when it comes to the Aldwych Theatre from 10th February 2015
Gypsy
The Chichester Festival Theatre is on a bit of a run. Every year the West End seems fortunate to welcome yet more productions from this hotbed of creativity and 2015 is no different with their critically-acclaimed production Gypsy, starring Imelda Staunton arriving at the Savoy Theatre in March.
Stephen Sondheim’s musical, about Gypsy Rose Lee and what happens to her touring family when the popularity of their vaudeville act and the very future of vaudeville itself, is threatened by the racy new Burlesque acts sweeping the country, is sure to be one of the season’s highlights.
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
A latino vibe soundtrack has been added to the film’s crazy plot for Tamsin Greig and Haydn Gwynne to negotiate whilst trying to deal with taxi drivers, terrorists and other affairs of the heart in the brand new musical.
The show has actually already started but as Christmas and New year rather got in the way of the usual fanfare and hulabaloo that tends to accompany a West End opening I thought it worth a mention now.
It runs at the Playhouse until May.
Motown The Musical
Another Broadway import will grace the stage of the Dominion Theatre either at the end of 2015 or early 2016. Motown – The Musical is the story of the record label that created the soundtrack to a generation… hang on a moment: haven’t we heard that before?
Of course it features Motown classics such as “My Girl” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” but it is the story behind the hits, of a record label taking on the odds to create the soundtrack that changed, not only American music but America itself, that makes this musical such compelling viewing!
Tickets are not yet on sale but we will keep you informed.
