LONDON’S BEST MUSICALS

The Capital’s Top Musicals, as Nominated by YOU in the Time Well Spent Awards

Whether you Come Hear the Music Play, enjoy The Music of the Night or prefer to be in The Room Where it Happens, Londoners are spoilt with the world’s best musical theatre.

But which are London’s Best Musicals? You have nominated your favourites for the Time Well Spent Awards, below. The ultimate winner will be crowned in August.

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Wicked

One of the most successful musicals of all time, Wicked has been defying gravity for 18 years, with its untold story of the Witches of Oz.

The smash hit welcomes people to the Land of Oz to discover the background of misunderstood green witch, Elpheba and blonde, popular witch Glinda and the very different paths their lives take after meeting the Wizard of Oz.

The dark and magical fairytale has bagged more than 100 major international awards including three Tony Awards, two Oliviers and ten WhatsOnStage awards.

Wicked, Apollo Victoria Theatre, 17 Wilton Rd, Pimlico, London SW1V 1LG

Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club

Winning seven Olivier Awards - including Best Musical Revival - this intimate and electrifying production is now particularly relevant, and Londoners have been clamouring to come hear the music play.

Stars from Cara Delevingne to Rebecca Lucy Taylor, Jake Shears, and now Billy J Porter have starred in the show, at its atmospheric recreation of the Kit Kat Club - the one place where everybody can be free, in a time when the world is changing forever.

Guests travel back to 1930s Berlin in this spectacular, immersive theatre production with fire-breathing acrobats, extraordinary contortionists, a powerful story and stellar cast, with hits like Wilkommen and of course, Cabaret.

Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, Northumberland Ave, London WC2N 5DE

Hadestown

This multi-award-winning musical invites you on a journey to the underworld and back, where a song can change your fate.

The powerful, beautiful and defiantly hopeful production mixes the Greek mythological love stories of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, with the tale of King Hades and his wife Persephone.

Since opening in the West End last year, it has bagged 8 Tony Awards - including Best Musical - and the Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album.

Hadestown, Lyric Theatre, 29 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 7ES

The Devil Wears Prada

Vanessa Williams strutted into the West End last November, to fill the giant stilettos of formidable fashion editor Miranda Priest - made famous by Meryl Streep in the hit movie - in this blockbuster musical adaptation composed by Sir Elton John.

It tells the story of Andy, an aspiring journalist who lands her dream job, fresh from college, working for fashion’s most powerful and terrifying icon.

Sacrificing her personal life to meet Miranda’s impossible demands, Andy finds herself seduced by the glamorous world she once despised, and discovers if it is worth selling her soul to get what she’s always wanted. That’s all.

The Devil Wears Prada, Dominion Theatre, 268-269 Tottenham Ct Rd, London W1T 7AQ

Les Miserables

We have lost count of the number of times we’ve returned to rewatch London’s - and the world’s - longest running musical phenomenon.

Cameron Mackintosh’s global stage sensation is set amid the social and political struggles of 19th century France, telling the story of former prisoner Jean Valjean, who is pursued for decades by his policeman nemesis, Javert. Against the backdrop of a nation embarking on a revolution, the pair’s cat-and-mouse journey is set within a story of broken dreams, unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption.

Now seen by more than 120 million people and with hits like One Day More and Do You Hear the People Sing, this is a musical you will need to return to time and time again.

Les Miserables, Sondheim Theatre, 51 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 6BA

The Phantom of the Opera

More than 160 million people worldwide have gone to hear the Music of the Night at musical theatre’s most haunting and spectacular love story.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic West End production features soaring music, like All I Ask of You, Masquerade and the iconic title song, alongside jaw-dropping scenery and special effects.

It has bagged over 70 major theatre awards and tells the tragic love story of the Phantom, who - shamed by his appearance - lives a shadowy existence beneath the Paris Opera House. Feared by all but his beautiful protégée Christine Daaé, his love for her is so strong that even she cannot resist.

The Phantom of the Opera, His Majesty’s Theatre, Haymarket, St. James’s, London SW1Y 4QL

Hamilton

Winner of 11 Tony Awards including Best Musical, 7 Olivier Awards including Best New Musical, and the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Hamilton has delighted London since opening in 2017.

It tells the story of America's Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington's right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and helped shape the foundations of today’s America.

The score blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway for a captivating and unique retelling of the story of history’s America, as told by today’s America.

Hamilton, Victoria Palace Theatre, 126 Victoria St, London SW1E 5EA

The Book of Mormon

The smash-hit musical and winner of four Olivier Awards - including Best New Musical - and nine Tony awards, broke records for the highest single day of sales in West End history.

This boldly irreverent musical comedy from the taboo-snubbing minds of South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, based on Joseph Smith, the Church of Latter-Day Saints founder.

The satirical hit follows the journey of two missionaries who are sent to serve in Uganda, but discover they have more to learn about the real world than they have to teach about Mormonism.

The Book of Mormon, Princess of Wales Theatre, Oxendon St, London W1D 6BR

The Lion King

One of the West End’s longest running musicals, Disney’s award-winning musical has enchanted the capital for 26 years with its ingenious puppetry, dance, stunning effects and music from Sir Elton John, Tim Rice and Lebo M.

The acclaimed reimagining of Disney’s hit film follows the story of Simba as he journeys from wide-eyed cub to his destined role as King of the Pridelands.

The Lion King, The Lyceum Theatre, 21 Wellington St, London WC2E 7RQ