Musicals thriving in London's West End

There have been several high profile musicalUSA as the basis of the story and has
productions debuting in the West End recently tosuccessfully adapted it for this stage production.
varying degrees of critical acclaim. But, regardlessJosef Brown, who played the lead in the
of whether the autumn openings continue theirAustralian production of 2004, stars as Johnny
runs into 2008, musicals look set to dominate thejoined by Sarah Manton as Baby.
West End box office over the next few years.Another former film now gracing the West End
Prominent amongst the successful new showsstage 'Desperately seeking Susan', which originally
unveiled recently include 'Hairspray'. The musicalstarred Madonna and Rosanna Arquette in the
opened in late October in London's West End tocelluloid version, is not doing quite so well in the
rave reviews and has recently extended its runstage adaptation that features the music of
by seven months as a result. First opened onBlondie. The production recently premiered at the
Broadway in August 2002 at the Simons TheatreNovello Theatre and is currently booking until
where it is still playing to packed audiences thismid-April 2008, although judging by the
American import is now booking until 25thunfavourable reviews it may ultimately record a
October 2008 at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Westshorter run that that.
End veteran warbler Michael Ball stars asConversely, Grease is taking the West End by
cross-dresser Edna Turnblad withstorm. Originally a 70's film musical starring John
comedian-turned-actor Mel Smith supporting asTravolta and Olivia Newton-John, this production
"her husband" Wilbur and newcomer Leanne Joneshas made a successful transition to the West End
plays Tracy, their daughter. Following its successstage and looks set to enjoy a long run until the
on Broadway, Hairspray has been made into aend of the decade.
Hollywood feature film starring John Travolta.As well as modern musicals, classics such as
Indeed, productions based on films, or vice-versa,Andrew Lloyd-Webber's Joseph have undergone a
appear to be all the rage in the West End. Dirtysuccessful revival thanks to the BBC talent show
Dancing, another recent addition to the West End'Any dream will do' which has given 26-year-old
theatres, has also extended its booking period untilwinner Lee Mead the starring role in his West End
April 2009, after a successful opening in latedebut. That must be one of the best theatre
October. Writer of the film's screenplay Eleanorbreaks for a young actor since the last BBC
Bergstein used her own childhood experiences oftalent winner Connie Fisher captured the lead role
holidaying with her family in the Catskills in theof Maria in the Sound of Music!