A Musically Strong West End

[Deleted]

I don't know where to put this, or if this is even the right title.
Wanted to vocalise my thoughts on the state of the West End Musical scene currently.

Around 2014/5 I began feeling quite complacent with shows in the West End. I'd stopped buying tickets having seen everything I wanted to a number of times. It was all starting to feel quite bland and boring.
With Hamilton just opening and Bat out of Hell beginning its full-time residency shortly, amongst many other new or reworked shows, some really interesting 'Fringe' and Off-West End musicals emerging recently and in the pipeline it seems like a new page has turned. Theres a renewed energy, for me at least.

I wondered other peoples thoughts on this subject.

[ali973]

I agree. There hasn't been any locally-grown shows that have been good, for quite some time.

There were a few surprises: Dreamgirls, ENO Sunset Boulevard and Bat Out Hell to name a few.

I do have faith in Southwark Playhouse and Menier Chocolate Factory (although the 2018 program for Southwark Playhouse is so far vey disappointing).

[Deleted]

To see a number of transfers from Hope Mill in Manchester to LDN is encouraging, like you say though, all American musicals - nothing home grown.
The Other Palace seems to have its finger on the pulse currently, which has potential.

[Deleted]

I agree. I think this year especially has been surprisingly strong for me. I went into it not really excited about any shows. But now, we have had some brilliant Off-West End work with the likes of Big Fish, Yank and The Toxic Avenger. Scaled down productions that have really caught me emotionally and with the material itself. Alongisde some brilliant work in musicals with 42nd Street as the prime example in my case and for alot of people, Hamilton, which I have yet to see and Everybody's Talking About Jamie. It's been a surprisingly strong year in my opinion and it gives me hope next year as there is not too kuch as of yet that I am like "HOLY CRAP" about yet in terms of announcements (bar Patti LuPone obvs!).

[showtoones]

So far for this coming year we have Company, Bat Out Of Hell, King and I, and Tina. Any other musicals announced?

[Deleted]

To clarify my thoughts further, I’m not really differentiating between American imports and UK originals. For me a number of the imports have been new, not having the disposable income to visit Broadway regularly.
Dreamgirls and Young Frankenstein two ‘new’ shows I’ve enjoyed thoroughly and would definitely revisit.
It’s the UKs obsession with Jukebox musicals where production values and artistic integrity can suffer that really caused the stagnation in my opinion.

[Deleted]

Dec 14, 2017 19:10:40 GMT showtoones said:

So far for this coming year we have Company, Bat Out Of Hell, King and I, and Tina. Any other musicals announced?

Not announced but these I’m hoping for...
Six - the Henry VIII wives musical, despite it being a short turn I think this has longer legs in the future.
The Grinning Man is a recent addition I’m looking forward to seeing.
I’m hoping Romantics Anonymous seeing another run at some point.
Giving ALWs efforts at The Other Palace I’m sure there will be more reworkings and trials of interest through 2018.

[viserys]

I do think that right now is a very good time for musicals in the West End after some stagnation. Perhaps producers have learned from the mistakes of opening shows "cold" in London - there was this string of movie adaptations that all flopped - Made in Dagenham, Bend it like Beckham, Mrs Henderson Presents to name a few - and none of them found their audiences in the West End.

The new shows like Grinning Man and Jamie are now coming in from regional theatres and already have some buzz. They also have far "fresher" backgrounds - a BBC4 documentary and a little-know Victor Hugo novel - which makes them feel more original and exciting. And while Romantics Anonymous IS based on a movie, it's safe to say that it's not a well-known title in the UK.

Plus the imports from the US - Hamilton, Big Fish, Young Frankenstein now, soon Fun Home opening and The King and I appearing, plus some bigger (Follies) and smaller (Barnum) revivals.

I don't think the obsession with jukebox musicals is fading - Bat out of Hell is coming back, there's Tina in the pipeline and Broadway is brewing on new jukebox musicals too. But perhaps the obsession with slapping mediocre movies onto the stage with a mediocre soundtrack has come to an end and producers and creators are looking for fresher subjects again.

I don't want to get too optimistic though - Broadway had an incredible season last year with tons of new great shows, many of them unusual (Hamilton, Comet...) and followed it with a very lame season that gives us stuff like SpongeBob and Margaritaville.

[wickedgrin]

and just when you thought things were picking up you have Chicago announced clogging up the Phoenix Theatre for a year or two or three or four.............

[Someone in a tree]

Creativity can be commercial it’s such a shame the West End does not recognise this.