While being in London over the past few months I have been very lucky to have seen three more amazing musicals. So today I am going to be adding to my theatre diary with a second round up of shows you HAVE to see!
Come From Away
I saw Come From Away at the end of November last year and was absolutely blown away by it. It only started in London last year after enjoying huge Broadway success, so whenever I mention it a lot of people actually don’t know what it is about. In short, it is set in the wake of 9/11 in a small town called Gander in Newfoundland, Canada, where the population is over-doubled when thirty-eight planes are grounded there.
It may sound like it has quite a serious setting but Come From Away is honestly the most refreshing, uplifting musical you will ever go to see. Two months on I am still listening to the music constantly, the soundtrack is so fun and feel-good. It will make you laugh and make you cry and I cannot recommend it enough.
& Juliet
Me and my friends treated ourselves to see this just before Christmas, buying tickets when TodayTix had a Cyber Monday sale on. & Juliet is a modern adaptation of Romeo & Juliet, where Shakespeare is influenced by his wife Anne to change the ending and give Juliet a better chance.
The premise and storyline really intrigued me and this was the main reason I wanted to watch it. However, before watching it I definitely had some reservations about the music. The songs used in the musical are all modern-day pop songs written by Max Martin, so there’s a lot of Katy Perry and Backstreet Boys in there. I always wished the wrote their own songs because yes, it is fairly cringe but if you take it for what it is at face value, then it definitely is an enjoyable watch.
Hamilton
Last week my Auntie took me to see Hamilton which has definitely been on my musicals bucketlist for years and years – I mean who doesn’t want to say they have been to see Hamilton?! With shows that are so hyped up, you might wonder if they are really as good as you expect, but Hamilton certainly did not disappoint. We all know the musical is about the life of American politician Alexander Hamilton, and this has a backdrop of really important elements of US history such as the Revolutionary War and creating the constitution.
The songs are fast paced, fun and the musical left me wondering how on earth that cast manage to do eight shows a week! I absolutely love The Room Where It Happens, that has to be one of my favourite songs, but Eliza’s great moment in Burn also left me in awe. My friend asked me if it was the best show I had ever seen and she was very shocked that I said no. ‘But it’s Hamilton!’ She cried. I am never going to say that any show is better than Les Mis, so I can’t say it’s the best thing I have ever seen, but it is definitely up there – 100% worth it.
There are still many musicals I am desperate to see so expect some more West End reviews very soon! Read my first round up here, where I share my thoughts about some amazing shows including Mary Poppins! Have you seen any good shows lately?
EG x
