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The Grinning Man Tickets
4.9 15 reviews from 15 verified reviews- Tickets refunded if your event is cancelled
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The Grinning Man in London
The Grinning Man – that sounds like a cheery title! It does indeed, a show with happy songs and the feel-good factor. But this production is a darkly comic musical, mixing catchy tunes with sinister puppetry and a dark, gothic story. Think Tim Burton and Phantom Of The Opera, or maybe even Les Misérables. Not so cheery now.
What’s the show about? Grinpayne (played by Louis Maskell) is always smiling. By smiling, we mean he has a grin permanently cut into his face, marking him out as a hideous freak. So, why does he look like The Joker from Batman? We don’t know and neither does he. But he’s determined to find out. Maybe the mysterious, terrifying clown Barkilphedro (Julian Bleach) can help him with the answer (why does there always have to be a scary clown in these kinds of productions?). Or maybe a sightless girl will teach him that it doesn’t matter what he looks like, as long as he has someone who loves him for who he is.
Why have I heard of Victor Hugo? He wrote the original story, The Man Who Laughs, which is what writer Carl Grose adapted to create this musical. Carl is a well-known writer in his own right, one of the team behind KneeHigh’s most famous show Tristan & Yseult. But everyone needs some inspiration occasionally, and Victor Hugo’s story is the perfect dark & twisted tale for the job. Victor Hugo himself isn’t a one-trick pony either – perhaps you’ve heard of his most famous book, Les Misérables?
A show with puppetry… is it just like War Horse? Well, yes and no. No, in that it doesn’t have any horses in it. But yes, in that it does have puppets crafted by the original War Horse puppeteers, Gyre & Gimble. It also is directed by Tom Morris, the original director of War Horse when it first galloped onto stage at the National Theatre. He also took the show across the river to the West End and then across the pond to Broadway.
So, why should I go? It’s the perfect anti-Christmas show, no magical happy ever after and no pantomime spirit. Instead, you get dark & twisted – a macabre, Gothic plot and an outstanding musical score. The puppetry is a clever combo of childlike and creepy, just like those dolls that you see in classic Victorian-styled horror films. Plus, it’s on at Trafalgar Studios for only ten weeks and it’s going to sell fast. So, don’t hang about.
The Grinning Man Official Theatre Tickets
Our central reservation system connects you directly to the Trafalgar Theatre box office system. We provide live & full availability for The Grinning Man tickets, from VIP and premium, to top price and discount tickets, helping you choose the perfect tickets for your budget. Pick your seats from our interactive seating plan and get your theatre tickets emailed to you instantly after your booking. Simply present your e-tickets at the door on the day and experience what London & the West End have best to offer: the magic of theatre. Buying tickets for The Grinning Man has never been easier.
The Grinning Man Ticket Information
- Booking until:
Saturday, 5 May 2018
- Age restrictions
Recommended for brave 12 year olds and above. Some scenes contain sexual references and swearing.
- Important Information
Some scenes contain sexual references and swearing.
- Cancellations & Refunds
Once booked, tickets to The Grinning Man are usually non exchangeable and non refundable as per our terms & conditions. In practice, however, we will do our best to accommodate your request as long as we are notified at least 48 hours before the performance. Please contact us for more information.
The Grinning Man cheap tickets
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The Grinning Man reviews
What to expect:
ActingMusic
Costumes
Story
Lighting
- Recommended for:
- Theatregoers (100%)
Latest customer reviews
All reviews are from customers who have been invited to leave a review just after seeing The Grinning Man.
Please note the reviews below are from an old production of The Grinning Man.
verified
Best show I've ever seen!The Grinning Man is utterly mesmerizing. The cast are fantastic, particularly the lead actor who is outstanding. The staging is brilliant and there is fantastic puppetry in it, and the script and characters are also really funny. It's unlike anything else I've seen, and really hard to describe, but it's totally captivating and a complete must see. I would recommend it to anyone!
R Reviewed on 29 April 2018 by Rosie
Gillingham, United Kingdom
verified
AwesomeI could not rate this show highly enough. From the music to the acting to the atmosphere in the theatre it was amazing.
A Reviewed on 21 April 2018 by Alexandra
Manchester, United Kingdom
verified
Must see!!Most amzing fairytale I have seen since my childhood! Magic in real life! Must see!!
A Reviewed on 12 April 2018 by Aleksandar
Qawra, Malta
verified
Poetic, magic, wonderful!!! must seeI highly recommend this show! it is magic, you laugh, you cry (I cried because it is so beautiful and the actors can let you feel the situations), something for your soul. Simply amazing!!! Was there with somebody who is not a big musical fan and he loved it, he already recommended it to his friends.... and me too!!! I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.
F Reviewed on 31 March 2018 by Florence
London, United Kingdom
verified
Top trafalgarSeated on the end of aisle C (1+2) generally a great view apart from when the actors used the platform. You would need to be 2 rows back to see that fully. Myself and 13yr old daughter went. Both thoroughly enjoyed the show . Puppetry superb. I have had to explain what an "orgy" is!!!!! We both laughed .
C Reviewed on 30 March 2018 by Caron
Rochester, United Kingdom
verified
Absolutely captivating!!D Reviewed on 18 March 2018 by David
Llantrisant, United Kingdom
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Fantastic show a must seeI feel this show should win an award personally
L Reviewed on 16 March 2018 by Lorraine
London, United Kingdom
verified
unusual, entertaining and amusingThe puppetry was outstanding, emotional but funny tale. The actors came into the audience so you felt very much a part of the production.
V Reviewed on 11 March 2018 by Vanessa
Uxbridge, United Kingdom
verified
A genre busting phenomenaThe Grinning man was an absolute treat. It was funny, touching and ingenious. It draws you into its world quickly and keeps you there and thinking about it long after the final curtain. The puppetry was incredible, the stage and stage craft was superb and the actors’ performance ces and singing brilliant. I cannot recommend highly enough- it received a standing ovation and I can’t wait to see it again.
T Reviewed on 18 February 2018 by Thomas
Bromley, United Kingdom
verified
AmazingThis was a fantastic show with an extremely talented cast. My 8 year old and 13 year old loved every second of it as I did too. The show was brilliant from start to finish. The music and lighting were superb and the staff at the theatre were just lovely. Thank you
E Reviewed on 18 February 2018 by Emily
London, United Kingdom
verified
fantasic show, dark and hillarious!B Reviewed on 31 January 2018 by Bas
Heerlen, Netherlands
verified
a total gem that has lots of humourR Reviewed on 14 January 2018 by Richard
Goole, United Kingdom
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AwesomeG Reviewed on 12 January 2018 by Gary
London, United Kingdom
verified
Great Show, great puppets.M Reviewed on 06 January 2018 by Mark
Poole, United Kingdom
2017
Review: THE GRINNING MAN at Trafalgar Studios
by Phil Willmott | Thursday, December 21 2017, 09:17
Christmas is a time for over indulgence and the West End’s latest new musical, THE GRINNING MAN, is an opportunity to relish a Grand Guignol excess of melodrama, theatricality, stage craft and emphatic dialogue; all peppered with knowing asides and drenched in a deceptively simple, original score from Tim Phillips and Marc Teitler.
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