February is a particularly exciting month in the West End. It’s Valentine’s Day on 14th and it’s also LGBT History Month in the UK, time to celebrate the nation’s colourful lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. What better way to rejoice in our differences than take in a colourful West End show? Whatever production you choose, you can rely on excellence. Shows just don’t reach theatreland unless they’ve consistently delighted audiences and impressed the critics. Read on to find out what’s happening in London’s theatre district this week, complete with special offers and inspiring Valentine’s Day ideas.
Cast Announcement – Grease with Peter Andre
Grease is already thrilling audiences at the Dominion theatre. Now we have a very special Cast Announcement for you. Peter Andre will be playing Vince Fontaine – AKA the Teen Angel - in certain performances, the actor and singer’s West End debut. It’s a fresh new production of Jim Jacobs and Warren Caseys’ smash hit musical, which originated in the early 1970s. Andre is joined by Dan Partridge and Olivia Moore as Danny and Sandy, Jocasta Almgill as Rizzo, Paul French as Kenickie, Mary Moore as Jan, Jake Reynolds as Doody, and plenty more, with the full cast still to be announced. Come along and meet Marty and Sonny, Frenchie and Patty Simcox, Cha Cha, Johnny Casino and the rest of the gang.
Offer – Show of the week – Get Up, Stand Up
Our show of the week, Get Up Stand Up, the Bob Marley Musical, is on at the Lyric Theatre, booking until Sunday 18th September 2022. As one audience member, writing for Good News Jamaica, said, “It was exhilarating, joyous, emancipatory, triumphant, melodic, poignant and inspiring to the audience to unite as a people and make the world a better place.” If you’d like to experience the joy of Marley’s music and extraordinary life story for yourself, hop over to our special offers page and grab your Get Up, Stand Up tickets.
Show extension – Hamilton extends to 10th July
Hamilton at the Victoria Palace extends its booking period until 10th July 2022, giving more people the opportunity to enjoy the remarkable story of America's Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, a West Indian immigrant who supported George Washington in the Revolutionary War. The score combines hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway show tunes to create the winner of 11 Tony Awards including Best Musical, 2016’s Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, and the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Closing soon – The Shark is Broken
The Shark is Broken closes at the Ambassadors Theatre on 13th February, when it completes its extended run. It’s a hilarious and touching true story about what happened during the filming of the famous horror movie, Jaws. Roll back time to 1974. The location is Martha’s Vineyard, USA. The stars of the movie are drunk, they’re trapped in a leaky boat, the weather is appalling, and the gigantic plastic shark is broken. As tempers fray, what’s the worst that can happen? Come and find out.
Cast Announcement for Anything Goes
We’re thrilled to reveal a cast announcement for Anything Goes at the Barbican. Apparently Kerry Ellis, Simon Callow, Denis Lawson, and Bonnie Langford will star in the sold-out musical sensation, now back by popular demand for a limited 7 week season. The fun runs from Friday 15th July to Saturday 3rd September and there’s a 50-strong cast and ensemble as well as a full live orchestra. The result is an uplifting, heart-warming romance packed with show stopping dancing. Cole Porter’s lovely score includes the classics I Get A Kick Out of You, You’re the Top, and of course Anything Goes.
Valentine's Day shows
So what are the best romantic West End shows for Valentine’s Day? Here are our recommendations, with something for every taste.
- Dirty Dancing – A gritty, tough exploration of coming of age with stunning music and some of the best choreography in town – at the Dominion Theatre until 16th April 2022
- Moulin Rouge – Experience the hugely popular stage adaptation of Baz Luhrmann’s Academy Award-winning film at the Piccadilly Theatre, complete with a dash of fairytale romance
- Pretty Woman – The ultimate adult love story with a twist is on at the Savoy Theatre, perfect for lovers. The score, by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, is a classic and this is one of Hollywood’s best-loved romantic stories
- Back to the Future – It may not be a classic romance but it’s perfect for Valentine’s Day. What happens when you go back in time and find yourself tasked with getting your own mum and dad together? Head for the Adelphi Theatre to find out for yourself
- & Juliet – Romeo? Pah! Juliet doesn’t care. She’s packed her bags and she’s escaping from Verona. This is how Juliet recovers from heartbreak, faces her past, and finds her future. It’s hilarious, and it’s on at the Shaftesbury Theatre
- Jersey Boys – The story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons is told beautifully at the Trafalgar Theatre, accompanied by a selection the band’s many gorgeous soul hits. A jukebox musical to remember, packed with beautiful love songs
- Mamma Mia! – The ultimate feel-good musical, stacked with Abba hits, is on at the Novello Theatre, delighting audiences with its contemporary plot, delicious choreography, and cool love story
What will you see first in February? Come back next time for more ideas and inspiration, fresh from London’s theatreland.
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The birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, and London’s West End is preparing for Valentine’s Day, 14th February, when couples from all over the country head for the West End to take in a show. Which production will you choose? We have a new show opening. Some of the most popular plays and musicals in town have just extended their runs, giving more theatre lovers the chance to experience the magic of Life Of Pi, Dear Evan Hansen, Tina Turner, and Six. We have new dates for you, a long-awaited cast announcement, plus special ticket offers on three shows you won’t want to miss. Here’s the latest news from our world to yours. Welcome to our Weekly Round-Up.