Top 2019 West End Picks
26th Jan 2019 Music
London’s West End is thriving with new show openings in 2019 and we want you to be the first to enjoy these amazing new musicals and plays from star studded casts to toe tapping hits you’ll want to hear time and time again. Take a look at our top picks below and book the hottest tickets in town with Reader’s Digest Tickets at tickets.readersdigest.co.uk.
Home, I’m Darling Duke of York’s Theatre
From 26 January
Following a sold-out run at the National Theatre, Laura Wade’s ‘piercingly funny’ (Time Out) new play transfers to the West End for 11 weeks only. Katherine Parkinson (The IT Crowd, Humans) reprises her acclaimed role as Judy, in Laura Wade’s fizzing comedy about one woman’s quest to be the perfect 1950’s housewife.
How happily married are the happily married? Every couple needs a little fantasy to keep their marriage sparkling. But behind the gingham curtains, things start to unravel, and being a domestic goddess is not as easy as it seems.
Tickets from £24
The Price
Wyndham’s Theatre
From 5 February
David Suchet delivers a comic tour de force as a silver-tongued 90 year old furniture dealer in Arthur Miller’s ‘masterpiece’ (Daily Telegraph), The Price.
Two brothers , Victor and Walter Franz, one a New York cop nearing retirement, the other a successful surgeon meet for the first time in sixteen years to sell their family furniture stored in the attic of a condemned New York brownstone . Revelation follows stunning revelation as each brother realises the price they have paid for heart breaking decisions made decades earlier.
Overseeing the psychological battlefield is the wily veteran appraiser, Gregory Solomon , who has his own demons to conquer as well as securing the best possible price for the Franz family possessions.
David Suchet, revisiting the work of Arthur Miller after his legendary award-winning performance in All My Sons, plays Gregory Solomon. He is joined by Brendan Coyle (Mr Bates in Downton Abbey) , Adrian Lukis and Sara Stewart who plays Esther Franz, Victor’s wife.
This fifty anniversary production of Arthur Miller’s richly affecting play – which, like his better known works, mines his preoccupation with the pleasures and perils of the American Dream - transfers from a sell-out run at the Theatre Royal Bath where it was hugely acclaimed by critics and audiences alike.
Tickets from £16 with a premium ticket upgrade available for £67.50 (usually £125) if you book by 31 January.
All About Eve
Noël Coward Theatre
From 2 February
"Fasten your seat belts. It’s going to be a bumpy night."
Margo Channing. Legend. True star of the theatre. The spotlight is hers, always has been. But now there’s Eve. Her biggest fan. Young, beautiful Eve. The golden girl, the girl next door. But you know all about Eve…don’t you…?
Ivo van Hove directs Gillian Anderson and Lily James in his new adaptation of All About Eve, a razor-sharp, unsettling exposé of the eternal obsession at the heart of show-business. BAFTA Award-winner Monica Dolan will join the cast in the role of Karen, alongside Julian Ovenden as Bill, Sheila Reid as Birdie and Rhashan Stone as Lloyd. Further casting to be announced.
Lifting the curtain on a world of jealousy and ambition, this new production, from one of the world’s most innovative theatre directors, asks why our fascination with celebrity, youth and identity never seems to get old.
Ivo van Hove’s direction will be accompanied by set and lighting design from Jan Versweyveld, costume design by An D’Huys and music from double Mercury Prize-winner PJ Harvey, alongside Tom Gibbons’ sound design. Casting is by Julia Horan CDG.
Tickets from £71 with best availability from April.
Come From Away
Phoenix Theatre
From 30 January
Discover the remarkable true story of a small town that welcomed the world.
As it continues sold-out, record-breaking engagements on Broadway, across the USA and in Canada,
Come From Away will land for its UK premiere at London’s Phoenix Theatre from 30th January 2019.
This joyous new musical shares the incredible real-life story of the 7,000 air passengers from all over the world that became grounded in Canada during the wake of 9/11, and the small Newfoundland community that invited these ‘come from aways’ into their lives.
As uneasiness turned into trust and music soared into the night, gratitude grew into friendships and their stories would become a celebration of hope, humanity and unity.
Awarded the Tony® for Best Direction of a Musical, Christopher Ashley’s production guides audiences through a colourful and spirited cast of characters, brought to life by Tony® and Grammy® nominated writing team Irene Sankoff and David Hein.
Tickets from £23
9 To 5 The Musical
Savoy Theatre
From 29 January
Pour yourself a cup of ambition, and head on down to Dolly Parton’s rollicking West End musical!
9 TO 5 THE MUSICALis clocking in to the West End - with a strictly limited West End season at the Savoy Theatre.
Starring Louise Redknapp, Amber Davies, Natalie McQueen and Brian Conley, the smash-hit show features an original Oscar, Grammy and Tony award-nominated score by country legend and pop icon Dolly Parton.
9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL tells the story of Doralee, Violet and Judy - three workmates pushed to the edge by a sexist supervisor. The three ladies tie up their bigoted boss to take revenge and reform the office - but when the CEO pays a surprise visit, everything’s in danger of unravelling...
Presented by Dolly herself, and inspired by the cult film, this uproarious new West End show is about taking care of business - by taking on the man.
Tickets from £24
Waitress
Adelphi Theatre
From 8 February
Brought to life by a ground-breaking all-female creative team, this irresistible new hit features original music and lyrics by 6-time Grammy® nominee Sara Bareilles (Brave, Love Song), a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam) and direction by Tony Award® winner Diane Paulus (Pippin, Finding Neverland).
WAITRESS tells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and loveless marriage. A baking contest and the town’s new doctor may offer her a chance at a fresh start, while her fellow waitresses offer their own recipes for happiness. But Jenna must summon the strength and courage to rebuild her own life.
Don’t miss this uplifting musical celebrating friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie.
Tickets from £17.50
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
London Palladium
From 27 June
A new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s multi-award winning musical is returning to The London Palladium in summer 2019 for a strictly limited run!
Released as a concept album in 1969, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has become one of the world's most iconic musicals, featuring songs that have gone on to become pop and musical theatre standards, including Any Dream Will Do and Go Go Go Joseph.
The beloved show has been performed hundreds of thousands of times including multiple runs in the West End and on Broadway, international number one tours, and productions in over 80 countries.
Tickets from £13
You may also enjoy Only Fools and Horses The Musical written by and starring Paul Whitehouse, Betrayal starring Tom Hiddleston, On Your Feet! , the story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan and All My Sons starring Sally Field and Bill Pullman at The Old Vic.
To book tickets to these hot shows and many more visit tickets.readersdigest.co.uk.
