Hello everyone! Welcome back to another fun-filled and interesting blog post 😉 Today I’m going to be talking theatre, more specifically about the shows I’ve seen, my favourites and my not-so favourites! I have a tradition whereby I try to get a programme every time I see a show so that I can keep a record of each different cast I’ve seen perform it. I also try to keep all my tickets in a little tin so I can look back on when and where I saw each performance.
So without further ado, here are all the shows I’ve seen so far;
Kinky Boots
Times seen: 2
1st: Adelphi Theatre, London: 13th May 2017
2nd: Adelphi Theatre, London: 13th February 2018
Kinky Boots is so far my all time favourite show, Its just so much fun! Someone I know described it as being “light hearted with a lot of heart” and they totally hit the nail on the head with that! I cannot wait to see it again as I’ve heard its coming close to where I live on its 2018 UK Tour. If you are going to see any show in London and want to see something other than the usual classics, go and see Kinky Boots.
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (x100000)
Ghost The Musical
Times seen: 2
1st: Piccadilly Theatre, London: 7th September 2012
2nd: Princess Theatre, Torquay: 4th February 2017
Ghost was the first show I ever saw in London. My mum took myself and my two brothers, Sam and Alex, to see it together and it was just amazing! Me and my mum have seen it again since but it wasn’t as good as the first time as we were able to see how they did the special effects from where we were sat in the second theatre, which kind of spoilt it for us! Still a great show none the less, a real tear-jerker! (take some tissues!)
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Wicked
Times Seen: 2
1st: Apollo Victoria Theatre, London: 27th November 2013
2nd: Theatre Royal, Plymouth:
Wicked was my second ever West-End show which turned out to be a complete surprise as Lee told me we were going to a “work meeting” (classic Lee) 😉 It was really good but I think there is a lot of over-rated hype around the show as it wasn’t as good as I had anticipated it would be. It is still good though and I have been to see it again since! The storyline is good and whenever I’ve done a “which musical theatre character are you?” quiz (don’t judge me) Its always been either Elphaba or Eliza Hamilton – figures.
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
The Book of Mormon
Times seen: 2
1st: Prince of Wales Theatre, London: 23rd October 2013
2nd: Prince of Wales Theatre, London: 13th May 2017
The first time I saw BOM was on a trip in my first year of college. At first I was a bit taken aback by it as I didn’t really know what to expect and the language was a bit shocking! 🤬 but when I went to see it the second time, I knew what I was letting myself in for! It’s such a funny show and the songs are great too. It is however, the second most expensive show in London’s West-End (after Hamilton!) so probably not the best option if you’re on a budget!
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Aladdin The Musical
Times seen: 1
1st: Prince Edward Theatre, London: 1st October 2016
Being a massive Disney fan I was so excited when Lee told me he had bought tickets for us to see Aladdin in London. IT IS AMAZING! The souvenir brochure for Aladdin is also the most beautiful programme I’ve ever seen, you probably can’t see very well in the photo above but it is completely made of shiny gold foiled card- amazing! the aesthetics of the show are just what you would expect from Disney- extravagant, overwhelming and so, so beautiful! The sets, costumes and colours make you feel like you’ve jumped straight into Agrabah. Definitely go and see this one, great for kids also!
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Phantom Of The Opera
Times seen: 1
1st: Theatre Royal, Plymouth: 24th March 2012
Phantom was one of the first movie musicals that I ever saw (along with Cats and Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat) but I didn’t see the stage production until 2012 when I went with my mum, nan and brothers. It is such a dramatic and dark production and I just love the very beginning when the overture starts and the chandelier drops, It makes your heart drop and gives you chills up and down your spine!
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
The Addams Family Musical
Times seen: 1
1st: Hall For Cornwall, Truro: 24th June 2017
I absolutely loved the Addams Family movies when I was a kid and had no idea they had made a sequel in the form of a musical until Carrie Hope Fletcher mentioned that she was going to be playing Wednesday Addams in her next role. We of course downloaded the soundtrack and bought our tickets for the closest venue! It’s a great show which I feel would be a fantastic addition to the London stage!
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Matilda The Musical
Times seen: 1
1st: Cambridge Theatre, London: 6th January 2016
I was so excited to see Matilda as it had been one I was looking forward to for such a long time. I had all the soundtrack, loved all the songs, but I found the show to be a massive disappointment. For me it really didn’t live up to the hype that had formed around it, I don’t know whether that was because I had hyped myself up for it too much or the fact that I was going through a difficult time when I saw the show and didn’t have a very good experience throughout. Either way, I probably won’t be seeing it again…
Rating: ⭐ ⭐
West Side Story
Times seen: 1
1st: Theatre Royal, Plymouth.
My dad and his Fiancèe actually took me to see West Side Story which was nice because I’d never been to the theatre with my dad, just my mum or Lee! I really enjoyed it as I knew most of the songs before going to see it and actually performed a piece from West Side Story as part of my Drama GCSE. What stole the show completely was the dancing. Forget the storyline, forget the acting, the dancing is what makes the show. The choreography is INSANE.
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Chicago
Times Seen: 1
1st: Princess Theatre, Torquay: 28th July 2012
I saw Chicago with my Nan as she was really interested in seeing it and I’ll never say no to seeing a show for the first time! It wasn’t really my cup of tea as I think I prefer the more modern musicals, but still had a good night none the less!
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Billy Elliot
Times seen: 1
1st: Theatre Royal, Plymouth: 7th March 2016
Billy Elliot wasn’t really one on my must-see list but upon seeing it has become one of my favourites! The music is great and the message the show gives out is really lovely. It’s also quite a funny show!
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
The Woman In Black
Times seen: 2
1st: Theatre Royal, Plymouth: 18th May 2015
2nd: Princess Theatre, Torquay: 1st March 2017
Okay, I love a good ghost story. I may end up not sleeping for weeks after seeing or hearing one but I love ’em none the less! The Woman In Black absolutely terrified me the first time I saw it, at least I was a bit more prepared for the second time! I would definitely see this one again if given the chance, though I want the next time to be in London!
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Cats
Times seen: 1
1st: Princess Theatre, Torquay: 29th August 2014
I used to love watching the VHS movie of Cats whenever I went round to my nan and grandads house when I was little, however upon seeing it in 2014, I realised how Cats literally has no storyline whatsoever.
Rating: ⭐ ⭐
THRILLER LIVE
Times seen: 1
1st: Princess Theatre, Torquay: 13th June 2016
I saw Thriller on a staff night out when I worked at the Theatre. It was such a good night and the show was fantastic! I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did – the atmosphere was brilliant! I would love to go and see it again!
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Starlight Express
Times seen: 2
1st: Bournemouth International Centre: August 2012
2nd: Princess Theatre, Torquay: 15th January 2013
Starlight Express is a bit of weird one. It’s pretty amazing that the whole cast perform the show on roller skates, but, it’s about trains… who decided to make a show about trains?? Anyway, it’s quite a cool show to be honest and I would see it again!
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Our House
Times seen: 1
1st: Theatre Royal, Plymouth: 21st November 2013
Myself and Lee originally went to see Our House after working on a production ourselves. Its quite a good show based on the music of Madness.
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
The Christmasaurus Live
1st: The Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith, London: 21st December 2017
The Christmasaurus Live is based on the book by Tom Fletcher of the same name. Other than pantomimes, this was the first proper show I had seen with Emily. It was a lot of fun and really got us into the Christmas spirit! I really hope it ends up on the stage again and can’t wait for the film!
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Charlie And The Chocolate Factory
Times seen: 1
1st: Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London: 21st February 2014
My stepdad bought me and my mum tickets to see Charlie And The Chocolate Factory for Christmas 2013. It was much better than I was expecting it to be! We had such a great time and even made a weekend of it staying in London.
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
The Lion King
Times seen: 1
1st: Theatre Royal, Plymouth: 15th March 2014
Being a huge Disney fan, I was also really excited to see the Lion King. Now, the film has never been one of my favourites but, when you’re a Disney fan, you’ve got to see the shows! I quite enjoyed it and would see it again but maybe only once more?
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Little Shop Of Horrors
Times seen: 2
1st: Alexandra Theatre, Newton Abbot: 7th October 2014
2nd: South Devon College Theatre, Paignton.
Little Shop Of Horrors is one of my nan’s favourites shows, I love it because it’s got great music and is quite funny! The second time I saw it was a production that my brother Sam actually played the lead role of Seymour – One of the first shows of many that I saw my brother perform as a main lead role.
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Avenue Q
Times seen: 1
1st: Princess Theatre, Torquay: 13th May 2014
Avenue Q is a funny one for me as I do like it but the soundtrack has been so overly played in my household *ahem* Lee *ahem* I have kind of become sick of it 😂 a great and hilarious show none the less!
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Grease
Times seen: 2
1st: Teign School, Kingsteignton
2nd: Princess Theatre, Torquay: 24th June 2016
I used to love the Grease movie when I was younger but I think I may have over-done it a bit as I now can’t stand it 😬 I’ve seen it twice on-stage, both of which were very good but neither were professional companies. Maybe I’ll give it one last chance with a professional production and then call it quits!
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Other Shows I’ve Seen:
South Pacific: ⭐
Carnaby Street: 0 stars – I hated it, left before the interval! 😬
The Sound Of Music: ⭐ ⭐
Dreamboats And Petticoats: ⭐ ⭐
Have you seen any of the shows above? If so, what were your thoughts? Let me know in the comments below!
See you soon!
Beth x
3 Comments. Leave new
Phantom, always my favorite unless they bring greatest showman to stage then it may change, still need to see it in London though 🙂
I like this weblog so much, saved to my bookmarks.
Hi Lou, Thank you so much! x