Hardly ever will you meet an individual who does not know the significance of the west end in London, or, for that matter, a person who would say no to tickets to one of many dozens of reveals which can be operating there on any one night. It is perhaps more difficult to seek out somebody who can title the 5 longest running west finish exhibits in historical past, although they are certain to provide a superb stab at it.
Whereas may appear impressive that Billy Elliot the musical has already entered its sixth 12 months on stage, following its opening in 2005, and the current jersey boys theatre extravaganza, telling the historical past of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, opened in 2006, these trendy hits come nowhere close to the tenures of the west finish reliables.
The Mousetrap
That is the longest operating show in the west finish by far and, in reality, is the longest running show in the world. Since its opening night time on November 25, 1952, the mousetrap has clocked up greater than 24,000 performances over fifty eight years. It's unusual, provided that the identification of the killer in this quintessential murderer mystery has been revealed in countless critiques and newspaper articles.
Written by Agatha Christie, the writer herself revealed in her autobiography that she had given the present eight months on the west end. Nonetheless, its persevering with success is mostly all the way down to the excellence in its plot and production, and maybe the allure of a time in British historical past that's now lengthy gone.
Les Miserables
Based mostly on the 1862 classic novel written by Victor Hugo, Les Miserables is without doubt one of the most well-known musicals in history. Originally produced in Paris, it arrived in the west finish in 1985 and has since been a continuing presence on the theatre listings, with more than 10,000 performances already underneath its belt. Surprisingly, the primary reviews of this present had been largely vital, prompting some to imagine that its run could be short. Nonetheless, the general public took to it, guaranteeing that its preliminary booking of three months was extended.
The Phantom of the Opera
Having opened within the west finish in 1986, it is now probably the greatest identified musicals by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It too is predicated on a classic French novel of the identical title, which was written by Gaston Leroux in 1910. For a lot of, it's the quintessential romance story, with the phantom a disfigured musical genius obsessing over a gorgeous soprano, who shows him compassion regardless of the ordeal he places her through. The show has won the hearts of tens of millions of individuals around the globe, with 1 / 4 of a century spent in the west end so far.
Blood Brothers
Recognised as one of many great modern social commentaries, this musical hit the west end in 1983 after success in Liverpool. Its preliminary run lasted just for six months, nevertheless it returned to London in 1988 at the Albery Theatre where it has already run for greater than 22 years. The plot centres around the separation of twins and their respective lives at opposite ends of the social spectrum, one among the higher crust and the opposite being working class however unemployed. Their love for the same woman brings them along with tragic consequences.
Cats
One other Andrew Lloyd Webber creation, Cats is among the most talked about musicals. Nonetheless, it's the solely one of many list of five to have closed within the west end, with its last performance occurring on Could 11, 2002, precisely 21 years after its opening night in 1981. To date, it has been produced in 20 languages and was an equally notable phenomenon on Broadway between 1982 and 2000, with more than 6,000 performances in New York. Its final show in London was broadcast on a large screen in Covent Garden to followers not in a position to acquire a ticket to the ultimate show.
The total listing of great west finish shows is significantly longer, and the new technology of classics are absolutely on their solution to securing equally impressive runs. Amongst the favourites is Billy Elliot the musical, which is predicated on the successful 2000 Oscar nominated movie of the identical name. It's already an award winner on stage and looks set for its personal place in history.
Due to the love for music, romance and drama that the general public has, there is no purpose to think not, even if it's a US import, resembling the popular jersey boys, theatre goers will proceed to flock to the west end.