| n's West End features a wide variety of musicals, | | | | our current economic problems. If you like these |
| plays and comedies that are sure to please | | | | sorts of plays, here are a couple that are worth |
| almost everyone. Here's a guide to some of | | | | watching. |
| some of the hottest musicals, plays and comedies | | | | Enron: |
| that are currently showing at London's West End. | | | | Lucy Prebble's look at the infamous melt-down of |
| West End Musicals | | | | one of America's largest energy companies is |
| The West End usually features a wide variety of | | | | handled nicely by director Rupert Goold. Goold |
| musicals that span many different genres and | | | | uses contemporary videos and music to shed a |
| eras. This trend is continuing nowadays as several | | | | new light on Enron's melt-down and today's |
| classic musicals and new spins-offs on old | | | | current economic bind. In addition, try to find all of |
| favourites continue to dominate the West End. | | | | the references about the 1990's in this play. It will |
| Here are brief reviews of some musicals currently | | | | make watching Enron more compelling. |
| playing that continue to be favourites: | | | | The Mouse Trap: |
| Chicago: | | | | David Turner's fun and spirited adaptation of |
| This version of the classic play is a This classic | | | | Agatha Christie's enjoyable murder mystery has |
| musical is set in 1920's Chicago and features | | | | been in production at the West End since 1974! |
| twilight showgirl Roxie Hart's adventures to beat | | | | This is true because Turner's look at how a group |
| off murder charges that are setting back her | | | | of friends gathered together in a remote area of |
| career in show business. It also features her | | | | England's countryside resolve a murder mystery |
| media-savvy and arrogant lawyer Flynn who uses | | | | amongst them is top-notch! Can you figure out |
| gusto and outright showboating to help Roxie | | | | who is the murderer in the play? |
| contest the murder charges. As time progresses, | | | | Comedies |
| Flynn's swashbuckling antics turn Roxie's case into | | | | London's West End is also famous for staging |
| a 1920s media extravaganza. | | | | funny comedies that are sure to tickle people's |
| Hair: | | | | funny bones. Here are a few comedies that take |
| This timeless 1960s classic musical about a group | | | | silliness to a whole new high. |
| of New York City hippies protesting against social | | | | Grumpy Old Women Live 2 - Chin up Britain!: |
| injustices and the war in Vietnam gets a nice | | | | This very silly adaptation of a popular BBC |
| modern treatment in this adaption by director | | | | Television programme teaches viewers how to |
| Diane Paulus. When one of the characters named | | | | handle today's current economic and social |
| Claude gets drafted into military service in Asia, | | | | messes with grumpy composure and even |
| Paulus does a nice job showing viewers an | | | | grumpier mayhem. Antics include never-before |
| intimate look at his feelings and reactions to the | | | | silliness that describes 'Why the Recession is Good |
| group's protests. Don't forget to watch for songs | | | | for Our Kids' and a great how-to-guide that |
| such as the theme from 'Hair' and 'Let the | | | | demonstrates how to have fantastic 'Grumpy |
| Sunshine In' that made the musical in the first | | | | Rumpy Pumpy' that is sure to make your sides |
| place. | | | | hurt. |
| Plays | | | | The 39 Steps: |
| Now that you know which musicals are doing well | | | | This is a comical treatment of a 1935 Alford |
| at the West End, let's have a look at the plays | | | | Hitchcock's classic move thriller that features four |
| that call West End home. | | | | actors playing over 150 roles who promise to |
| The West End is currently showing plays that | | | | perform every scene from this thriller very, very |
| include classic whodunits and modern plays that | | | | quickly. Mayhem and chaos are used to create |
| try to make sense of current social issues. This is | | | | silly farces out of such legendary scenes as the |
| the case because West End theatres are showing | | | | controversial 'stockings and suspenders' scene and |
| several plays that feature classic murder | | | | the 'Escape on the Forth Bridge' scene that is |
| mysteries, contemporary twists on old favourites | | | | bound to make Hitchcock fans laugh in hysterics. |
| and modern plays that try to make sense out of | | | | |