West End show recommendations for December

[yotan]

Posted: 8/22/19 at 9:41pm

I’m planning a week-long trip to London in December, mainly doing touristy things and visiting museums, but I’m also planning to see some shows. I have 5 slots and here are the shows I’m considering:

1. SIX

2. Girl from the North Country

3. A Christmas Carol

4. Everybody’s Talking about Jamie

5. A Comedy about Bank Robbery (I enjoyed Play that Goes Wrong)

6. Mary Poppins

7. & Juliet (I’m torn about this since I don’t listen to pop music and I'm not usually a fan of jukebox musicals, but I really enjoyed Moulin Rouge)

These are based on shows listed on https://www.londontheatre.co.uk. Maybe I’m missing some shows not listed there (e.g. Hamilton and HP Cursed Child are not listed on that website, but I’ve seen them on Broadway)

Any recommendations on which 5 I should choose? Or other shows not on my list? I might be able to squeeze in a 6th show.

Just as a background, my preference is musicals but I’m open to plays as well. I live on Long Island, NY and I go to the city regularly, so I’ve seen almost all currently running musicals on Broadway and those that ran in the past 5 years (except for bio jukebox musicals, not my cup of tea). 

I know that 1-3 on my list are coming to Broadway soon, but West End tickets are sooo much cheaper than Broadway, so I figured I could see them in London when I’m there and skip them on Broadway to save money.

Thanks all!

[ggersten]

Posted: 8/22/19 at 11:00pm

The Mischief Theatre (the people behind Play that Goes Wrong and Comedy About A Bank Robbery) have a new show about magic - that supposedly had input from Penn and Teller, It's not a musical, but may be worth a look.

Menier Chocolate Factory will have a Xmas musical - but what that show is has not yet been announced. It's a very small space - and it's always interesting to see what they do with it. Because they've done big musicals in that space!                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

[ggersten]

Posted: 8/22/19 at 11:06pm

If you venture off the West End, the Hampstead is having a world premier about the Fisher-Spassky chess match - but not a musical. And I have no idea if it will be any good.

The Almeida hasn't announced its December show. 

And while I've never seen one, apparently December is the time to go to a "panto" of which there should be plenty.

[Wick3]

Posted: 8/22/19 at 11:44pm

Not sure if this play will go to Broadway but check out Death of a Salesman play (directed by Marianne Elliott.) 

[Just_John]

Posted: 8/23/19 at 6:01am

Comedy about a bank robbery Is not nearly as funny as the play that goes wrong. I walked out so disappointed. Their new show starting next month is called “Groan Ups.”

[yotan]

Posted: 10/31/19 at 2:18pm

Thank you all for the recommendations! It turns out I can fit in 7 shows and I've decided on the following:

1. SIX

2. A Christmas Carol

3. Girl from the North Country

4. Everybody's Talking about Jamie

5. Magic Goes Wrong

6. The Boy Friend (at the Menier)

7. Ghost Quartet

I'm excited!

 

 

[Mark_E]

Posted: 10/31/19 at 2:32pm

If it makes any difference, & Juliet has had fantastic reviews and word of mouth from its out of town tryout in Manchester.

[Impossible2]

Posted: 10/31/19 at 3:16pm

yotan said: "Thank you allfor the recommendations! It turns out I can fit in 7 shows and I've decided on the following:

1. SIX

2. A Christmas Carol

3. Girl from the North Country

4. Everybody's Talking about Jamie

5. Magic Goes Wrong

6. The Boy Friend (at the Menier)

7. Ghost Quartet

I'm excited!



"

Was going to suggest Ghost Quartet, I'm glad you hunted it down yourself.

Going on Saturday night, I can't wait!