| London's theatre scene is glitzy, glamorous and | | | | adapted from the classic Victor Hugo novel. The |
| fun, and there are always hundreds of | | | | musical score is excellent, moving seamlesly from |
| performances going on at once. Some of the | | | | rousing marches to moving ballads. |
| most popular shows are the big West End | | | | Lion King |
| musicals, many of which have been running for | | | | Theatre: Lyceum, Wellington Street |
| years and still sell out weeks in advance. Here's a | | | | Current Run Since: October 1999 |
| brief guide to some of the all-time favourites. | | | | Overview: Written by Tim Rice and Elton John, |
| Blood Brothers | | | | this excellent adaptation of the popular Disney |
| Theatre: Phoenix, Charing Cross Road | | | | animation has won six Tony Awards and is a real |
| Current Run Since: November 1991 | | | | stage spectacular, with a dazzling set and |
| Overview: Written in 1981, the original run of the | | | | fantastic animal costumes. It's the story of a lion |
| musical starring Barbara Dickson had limited | | | | cub, heir to his father's jungle throne, whose evil |
| success. However, the remake 10 years later has | | | | uncle plots to take over. |
| proven very popular and has now become a cult | | | | Mamma Mia |
| classic. It's a captivating prince-and-pauper tale of | | | | Theatre: Prince of Wales, Coventry Street |
| twin boys from a poor Liverpool family who are | | | | Current Run Since: June 2004 |
| separated at birth because their mother can't | | | | Overview: 1970s Swedish pop sensation Abba's |
| afford to keep them both. One is brought up by | | | | best hits are brought together in this great |
| the mother's rich employer so both lead very | | | | musical medley, arranged around the story of a |
| different lives, only to meet again in adulthood | | | | girl on the eve of her wedding day. Tuneful |
| with mixed consequences. | | | | melodies such as Money Money Money, Dancing |
| Chicago | | | | Queen and of course Mamma Mia are guaranteed |
| Theatre: Cambridge Theatre, Earlham Street | | | | to have audiences tapping their toes throughout. |
| Current Run Since: April 2006 | | | | Phantom of the Opera |
| Overview: This sordid tale of murder, greed and | | | | Theatre: Her Majesty's, Haymarket |
| corruption focuses on main character Roxy Hart, | | | | Current Run Since: October 1986 |
| who is accused of killing her husband and hires a | | | | Overview: Andrew Lloyd Webber's most well |
| sleazy lawyer to get her acquitted, only to set up | | | | known musical is a love story based on Gaston |
| a dance act with partner-in-crime Velma. With | | | | Leroux's 19th century romantic novel about the |
| catchy tunes such as All That Jazz and Razzle | | | | goings-on behind the scenes in a Paris Opera |
| Dazzle, it's been a hit since its first run, which | | | | House, where a mystery man in a mask falls in |
| began in 1979. | | | | love with one of the opera singers. It has won |
| Les Misérables | | | | several awards, including seven Tonys and the |
| Theatre: Queen's, Shaftesbury Avenue | | | | Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical, and is |
| Current Run Since: October 1985 | | | | immensely popular - so much so that the theatre |
| Overview: In 2006, Les Misérables became | | | | has never had an unsold seat in 20 years of daily |
| the longest running musical in the world. For 21 | | | | performances. Key themes from the musical are |
| years it has been keeping audiences captivated | | | | The Music of the Night and the title piece |
| with its dramatic and emotional tale of social, | | | | Phantom of the Opera. |
| political and romantic turmoil in 19th century Paris, | | | | |