London's must-see musicals

High School Musical

5 April 2012

The hit West End shows to see this summer, by Daralyn Danns.

Disney's High School Musical
The live stage adaptation of the Disney smash-hit TV movie features Letitia Dean. A must for tweenage fans.
Hammersmith Apollo, Queen Caroline St, W6 (0844 847 2397). £10-£65. Book and pay by 28 Aug to save £5 on £45 top-priced children's seats (under-16s). Deal avail Tues --Thurs eves and Wed and Thurs matinees from 1 Jul- 28 Aug. Show finishes 31 Aug. hsmonstage.co.uk

The Wizard of Oz
New production of the all-time family favourite. Not suitable for undersevens. Previews 23-27 Jul. The Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, SE1 (0871 663 2500.)
23 Jul-31 Aug. £12-£50. Previews £10- £40 Under 16s 50% discount (limited availability). southbankcentre. co.uk/children-family

Into the Hoods
A hip-hop song and dance show presented by ZooNation, a dance group. Based on Stephen Sondheim's musical Into The Woods, it's ideal for families.
Novello Theatre, Aldwych, WC2 (0844 482 5170). £15-£39.50. delfontmackintosh.co.uk

Never Forget
Romantic musical comedy about a Take That tribute band.
Savoy Theatre, Strand, WC2 (0870 164 8787). £19.50-£55. neverforgetthemusical.com

The Lion King
Award-winning musical based on Disney's much-loved animation. Suitable for children over seven. School holidays do get booked up. Best availability is usually for Tues, Wed and Thurs eve performances, and Wed and Sun matinees.
Lyceum Theatre, Wellington Street, WC2 (0870 243 9000). £20-£52.50. disney.co.uk/musicaltheatre/

Billy Elliot
The story of working-class boy Billy's struggle to get into The Royal Ballet School. With music by Sir Elton John it's a real family feel good show.
Victoria Palace Theatre, Victoria Street, SW1 (0870 895 5577). £17.50-£60. victoriapalacetheatre.co.uk

Dirty Dancing
The stage version of the superb classic 1980s film. Tickets are limited during the holidays.
Aldwych Theatre, Aldwych Theatre, Aldwych, W2 (0870 400 0805). £15-£60. dirtydancing onstage.com

Grease
Nicola Brazil takes over the role of Sandy from 16 Jun. Ray Quinn from ITV's X Factor, who has taken on the role of cute Doody (until 15 Nov), will be on holiday from 19-25 Aug.
Piccadilly Theatre, Denman Street, W1 (0870 594 9494). £20-55. greasethe musical.co.uk

Hairspray
Winner of four Olivier awards including Best Musical 2008. See Michael Ball as Edna Turnblad. He doesn't perform on Mon eves.
Shaftesbury Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, WC2 (0207 379 5399). £20-60. hairspraythemusical.co.uk

Jersey Boys
How Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons became pop stars.
Prince Edward Theatre, Old Compton Street, W1 (0870 850 9191). £20-£60. delfontmackintosh.co.uk

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat
Lord Lloyd Webber's classic musical, now booking until 10 Jan. Lee Mead is on holiday from 28 Jul - 5 Aug.
Adelphi Theatre, Maiden Lane, WC2 (0844 412 4651). £15-£49.50. josephthemusical.com

Monty Python's Spamalot
Children aged five-to-15 can enjoy family-friendly Friday matinees.
Palace Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, W1 (0870 890 0142). £15-£60. montypythonsspamalot.com

The Sound of Music
Hollyoaks actress Summer Strallen plays Maria.
London Palladium, Argyll Street, W1 (0870 890 1108). £25-£55. soundofmusiclondon.com

We Will Rock You
The music of Queen. Plenty of well-known songs. Ideal for kids. Seats available Jul and Aug.
Dominion Theatre, Tottenham Court Road, W1 (0870 169 0116). £27.50-£60. dominiontheatre.co.uk

Wicked
The untold story of the Witches of Oz. There is availability over the holidays. Recommended for children over eight.
Apollo Victoria Theatre, Wilton Road, SW1 (0844 826 8000). £15-£60. wickedthemusical.co.uk

Details are correct at the time of going to press but should be checked with the theatre prior to booking.

OUTDOOR THEATRE
Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
Magical setting for Romeo and Juliet (until 2 Aug) and Twelfth Night (until 30 Jul) - both £10-£42; A Midsummer Night's Dream (until 2 Aug) - £12. Gigi (6 Aug-13 Sep) previews 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 13 Aug. £10-£42. (Previews £2 off all seats.) For Special Sun events, see website.
Regent's Park, Inner Circle, London NW1. 0844 826 4242 or openairtheatre.org

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
Experience Shakespeare's plays in the reconstruction of the original open-air playhouse. The Totus Mundus season features King Lear, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Timon of Athens and The Merry Wives of Windsor.
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, New Globe Walk, SE1 (020 7401 9919) £5-£33. shakespearesglobe.org

Korn/Ferry Opera Holland Park
1,200 tickets are being given away to young people between 9 and 18 until 9 Aug. Productions include The Magic Flute 10 and 12 Jul; Tosca 11 and 13 Jul; La Gioconda 22, 24, 26, 30 Jul and 1, 5, 7, 9 Aug; and Iolanta 25, 29*, 31 Jul, 2, 6*, 8 Aug.
Holland Park Theatre, W8 (0845 230 9769). £10, £39, £46 and £52. rbkc.gov.uk/ohpseason/general/

FREE WEST END SHOWS WITH KIDS
The Society of London Theatre is celebrating its 100th birthday, this year so Kids Week (or rather a kids' fortnight from 15-29 Aug) promises to be extra special with free activities and workshops and a money-off voucher to spend at Hamleys.

With around 30 shows to choose from including Hairspray and Billy Elliot, the deal is this: one child (aged between 5 and 16) gets a ticket for free to any participating show when accompanied by a full-paying adult. Another two children can go for half-price.

Look out for South West Trains' rail travel offers, including free travel and stay for kids with Superbreak. Call 0871 700 4391 and quote "Kids Week" to save an extra 10% on the full package price. Kids can also get free meals at a selection of family restaurants. kidsweek.co.uk

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London's must-see musicals

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