We love a Musical and whether you are a dedicated fan of musicals or want to try one for the first time, London’s West End is always the place to start. With some 15 million visitors every year, the theatres here host the most memorable and amazing shows in the world.

At our dance school in North Tyneside we offer Musical Theatre style dance lessons where anyone with a love of the music of musicals can learn fun routines to some of the best music written for these incredible shows.

Here are a quick list of the 10 most successful West End Musicals

Les Misérables

Les Misérables is based on the novel by Frenchman Victor Hugo and first made its debut in 1985. It currently holds the record for the most performances, over 11,000 at last count and the show still goes on. It is a story of love, family and country from the times of the French revolution and has been adapted into a movie.

Cats

Cats played for a record breaking twenty-one years before taking a break from the stage. The show is inspired by the TS Eliot book of poems called ‘Practical Cats’ and has shown in over 25 countries around the world. It has also won seven Tony awards.

Miss Saigon

Miss Saigon opened in 1989 and ran for over 4200 shows before closing but has reopened again in 2014. The show captures the relationship between an American soldier and a Vietnamese girl during the Vietnam War.

The Phantom of the Opera

One of the most famous shows, this adaptation by Andrew Lloyd Webber came from a French work by Gaston Leroux. It is set in the Paris Opera House where the phantom hides from the world, deformed and ugly. He falls in love with this protégé and their tragic love story is the heart of the show.

Oliver!

Based on the Charles Dicken’s novel, this show looks at the cruel conditions endured by orphans in 19th century London and started showing in 1960. It has even received a Tony award for the music composed by Lionel Bart.

The Lion King

The Lion King is a stage adaptation of the Disney movie of the same name and shows just what can be done with a stage. The puppetry and stage show are unique while the music is from Elton John and Tim Rice, just the same as the movie.

Mamma Mia!

Mamma Mia is based on the Gold album by Swedish group ABBA and made its debut in 1999. The show has been seen by over 50 million people so far and has been made into a movie.

Wicked

Wicked is based on Gregory Maguire’s book that focuses on the back story and character of the witches in the well-known and well-loved Wizard of Oz series. It has won 90 international awards and is one of the top new musicals to reach the West End.

Sweeney Todd

If you want something a little gruesome and different, then this is the show for you. Debut in 1979, the tale looks at Todd’s revenue on a judge who wrongfully imprisoned him and has also been made into a movie, directed by Tim Burton.

Billy Elliot

The 2000 movie of the same name has been transformed into a stage show with music by Elton John, following the boy who wants to be a dancer. It has won countless awards and was even live streamed to cinemas around the country.