Big Name Personalities Behind the Best London Musicals

er on stage or behind the scenes, many LondonLondon musical has won the hearts of audiences
musicals owe part of their success to theand critics alike. Featuring a string of dance-floor
involvement of famous personalities. From writingclassics and incredible outfits, the show follows the
the music to treading the boards, celebrities arecolourful and comic adventures of a performing
queuing up to be part of the magic of London'strio.
West End! Take a look at who has contributed toWe Will Rock You
the most popular London musicals.Having firmly established himself as a novelist and
The Lion Kingstand-up comedian, Ben Elton has achieved huge
With an illustrious career spanning more than threesuccess as writer of the hit London musical We
decades, Elton John is one of the top sellingWill Rock You. This futuristic musical, which was
musicians of all time, having sold over 200 millioncreated in collaboration with Queen’s Brian
records worldwide. He first became involved inMay and Roger Taylor, opened at London's
The Lion King in the early 1990s when he wroteDominion Theatre in 2002 and features 32 classic
the music for the soundtrack to the DisneyQueen hits. The show has been enjoyed by
animated film. The story was adapted for themillions of people around the world, and has sold
stage in 1997, and the London musical version ofalmost 5 million tickets in London alone.
The Lion King opened in 1999. This fabulousAll the Fun of the Fair
musical is renowned for its uplifting score, and theJust opened in London's West End, All the Fun of
award-winning album has produced two hit singles,the Fair is inspired by David Essex's first album.
Can You Feel the Love Tonight, and The Circle ofThis hot new London musical follows the trials and
Life.tribulations of a fairground widower and his
Billy Elliotrebellious son. The star of the show is David
Following his success with The Lion King, EltonEssex himself, and the score includes some of his
John went on to compose the music for thegreatest hits alongside some brand new songs.
smash-hit London musical Billy Elliot, which openedHaving first shot to fame in the London musical
in the West End in 2005. The toe-tapping scoreGodspell in 1971, this is a welcome return to the
has helped this inspirational London musical to winstage for David Essex, who has attracted a huge
four Laurence Olivier awards, including Best Newfan base over his remarkable career.
Musical. The soul-searching track ElectricityOliver!
reached number four for Elton John in the UKBest known as one half of the prolific comedy
singles chart.duo Smith and Jones, Griff Rhys Jones is
Priscilla Queen of the Desertcurrently appearing as Fagin in the classic London
Jason Donovan first appeared in a London musicalmusical Oliver!. No stranger to the London stage,
in 1991, playing the title role in Joseph and theJones has already played leading roles in a number
Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Londonof West End shows and has won two Olivier
Palladium. He's now back, sporting an even moreawards. Jones leads an incredible cast and
outrageous costume as Tick in the fantasticallyorchestra of more than 100 in this dazzling
camp Priscilla Queen of the Desert. This dazzlingproduction.