Little Shop of Horrors- plants on world domination!

The hit musical finally comes back to London! Little Shop of Horrors is the classic story of a nervous flower shop owner named Seymour who buys a weird looking plant for his store. However, the plant is a bit special- it offers Seymour fame and fortune in exachange for flesh. And that's when things start to go wrong.

As this show has just opened, there are not a lot of reviews out there on the interweb for it. Especially for this new London show as there are many versions out there at the moment. But with a cast including famous British talent Csuch as Alistair McGowan, Mike McShane and Sheridan Smith, why would you not want to see this musical classic?

Come see this play in the Duke of York Theatre in London! Tickets are avaliable for online booking.

Tarzan- the musical!

Yup, it's another musical, but this is so amazing that I just had to talk about it. Plus, you can only see it in New York and not London!

Tarzan is basically a stage adaptation of the Disney film with the Oscar winning music from Phil Collins. The tale of the young man raised by Gorrilas in the jungle and falling in love with the prim and proper Jane is brought to life by an energetic cast doing amazing feats on stage.

The reviews have been mixed. But the most balanced has to be this one from USA Today who gave it three out of four stars.

If you are looking for something a bit light hearted, fun and (for the stunts) breathtaking, I recommend that you see this show. Find out more information on the show and how to book here.

Avenue Q- A childhood memory gone adult

Okay it's another musical... but it's one with a difference. When you think of Sesame Street you think of that warm and loving neighbourhood in Manhattan, New York with some of your favourite muppets, including Elmo and Big Bird. When you think of South Park, images of foul mouthed children come to mind and situations you can't believe they air on TV. Now combine the two. Think it's impossible? Welcome to the world of Avenue Q.

This show is definately NOT for kids which you will be thankful for after a long day at work, not having to hear children making noise in the row in front of you. Apart from the show itself, the only noise you will be hearing is the sound of laughter at the madness of it all.

An extensive review from Nowt2do.co.uk called Avenue Q "the must-see show in London this year." If you are up for something a bit different, or you just want to see how a British cast handle the show, why not head down to the Noel Coward Theatre in London? You can book tickets online here.

Wicked- A different take on the Wizard of Oz story

This is my second post on a musical, but this one is also justified as it is the winner of three prestigious Tony Awards (that's the theatre version of the Oscars)

Wicked is based on the novel of the same name by Gregory Macguire and is about the relationship between the two witches in Oz- The Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch- following them through their childhood and seeing how their relationship changes throughout time up to the point where Dorothy drops in.

The musical has been a massive success in New York, even with quite a bit of negative reviews from the NYC press, saying that it lacks a lot of depth (take this article from NY1 for example) but is a fun story with singing and dancing and memorable songs and characters meant to have any depth when it's just meant for a good night out?

If you want to make that decision for yourself and check out this musical with a difference, go onto Broadway.com and book your tickets on there. (Wicked is in the New York Gershwin Theatre)

Billy Elliot- a musical masterpiece

There are many film-to-musical productions out in the London theatre circuit today, but only a few have been great successes.

Today I am recommending Billy Elliot, based on the film with the same name about a young boy living in an 1980's mining town going against all stereotypes and finding joy in ballet dancing.

Broadwayworld.com believes that this musical in an example of "how to do musical theatre and succeed" and The Stage notes that even though, at three hours, the show is notacibly longer than the film but they have made it more "emotionally penetrating and resonant".

Visit London are offering a hotel and show pakage on their site. If you don't want to do that and just want to see the show after a busy working day, then Billy Elliot is now showing at the Victoria Palace Theatre. (Nearest Tube station: Victoria)

Equus- Harry Potter Grows Up

Daniel Radcliffe sheds off his innocent boy wizard image and decides to show off another wand in his stage debut in the play Equus, which premiered in London on the 27th Feb.

The play opened to rave reviews from the public and critics alike. Charles Spencer from the Telegraph said he had shown himself as "a thrilling stage actor of unexpected range and depth" and Whatsonstage called his performance as "Tremendous".

Granted, the play is not intened to be a cheerful night out, as the plot centres around a stableboy's violent treatment of horses. However, if you want to see a very good looking adolecent doing something out of the norm, and in the buff too, why not book tickets for the Gielgud Theatre to see this play? I guess it's something to do whilst you're in London.