West End Shows this Christmas

I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really want! I want a musical based on the phenomenal hits of British girl-group the Spice Girls. Sixteen years after Baby, Ginger, Sporty, Scary and Posh burst onto the scene amidst a flurry of crop tops and platforms, they have reformed to support the new musical inspired by their global hits. Featuring unforgettable hits like Wannabe, Mama and Two Become One, the show runs at London's Piccadilly Theatre from winter 2012. Calling on the comedy genius of Jennifer Saunders and the theatrical expertise of Mamma Mia! producer, Judy Cramer. The team set about spinning a heavily spiced tale of friendship, fame and fortune based on the band who had nine number one singles, 75 million album sales and a whole lot of zig-a-zig-ah. Viva Forever! Is a thoroughly modern tale of TV talent shows, celebrity culture, and the plight of overnight fame. Absolutely Fabulous star, Jennifer Saunders, makes her West End script writing debut with the show, which according to producer Judy Cramer "embraces all generations." So brace yourselves for peace signs and high-kicks as Spice fever heads directly to London town.  

The hit songs of the Fab Four are performed in this celebratory musical/narrative, which also marks the 50th anniversary of the release of the super-group's first single, Love Me Do. From their early appearances in Liverpool's Cavern Club through to the height of their global fame, this show captures it all. Featuring Twist and Shout, Yesterday and Hey Jude alongside the show's namesake Let it Be, this is great entertainment for die-hard fans and a great way to introduce youngsters to some Beatles classics. An electrifying multimedia show jam-packed with 60s costumes, nostalgic film footage and uncanny performances from the Faux Four.

Welcome back to the Cabaret, old chum, as the king of musicals is revived at the Savoy Theatre complete with a sparkling new cast and a repertoire of classic showtunes. Since its Broadway premier in 1966 the show has managed to collect an astonishing number of awards, including 7 BAFTAS, 8 Oscars and 13 Tonys. Cabaret never fails to attract famous faces to the roles and this production continues the tradition with Will Young playing the Emcee and Eastenders star Michelle Ryan starring as Sally Bowles. Director Rufus Norris's production of the musical written by John Kander and Fred Ebb, features timeless tunes such as Maybe This Time and Willkommen. So take a trip back to 1930s Berlin and visit the famed Kit Kat Klub for some good old fashioned decadence. The show contains nudity and is not suitable for ages below 14.

Twenty years after the romantic thriller burst onto our cinema screens - reducing us all to tears - The Bodyguard is back. Now adapted for the West End stage and appearing at The Adelphi, this version is likely to be all the more poignant following the recent death of Whitney Houston. Based on the Oscar-nominated movie starring Houston as pop-singing superstar Rachel Marron and Kevin Costner as former Secret Service agent Frank Farmer, this production has Grammy Award-winning Broadway actress Heather Headley and the talented Lloyd Owen starring in the lead roles. The pair are brought together when Frank is hired to protect Rachel from an unidentified stalker. As the danger heightens, so do emotions and the couple eventually fall madly in love. This turbulent tale is accompanied by unforgettable Whitney classics: One Moment in Time, I Have Nothing, I Wanna Dance with Somebody and singer's greatest hit, I Will Always Love You, which spent a record amount of time at the top of the charts in 1992. This brand new musical drama adaptation is choreographed by Arthur Pita and directed by Thea Sharrock.

Tommy Steele stars in the title role, in Leslie Bricusse's musical, based on the festive short story written by Charles Dickens's classic Christmas season story at the London Palladium. Scrooge The Musical, set in Victorian London, follows the well loved story of miser Ebenezer Scrooge who is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future on Christmas eve. Originally a 1970 movie musical starring Albert Finney, this musical version has played all over the world (it appeared at the London Palladium back in 2005) and includes tunes such as I Hate People, December 25th, I'll Begin Again and Thank You Very Much which was nominated for an Academy Award. Well known actors including Shane Ritchie have played Scrooge, but this time around it's the turn of 75 year old actor Tommy Steele, the Bermondsey born pop star who shot to fame in 1956 with hits like 'Rock With The Caveman' and 'Elevator Rock' and who became an actor moving on to West End roles in the 1980's, starring in musicals including Half A Sixpence, Singin' in the Rain and Some Like it Hot.

As one curtain falls another rises, and after an impressive twenty-one year run at the Phoenix Theatre Blood Brothers finally bids farewell to its West End home. Its successor will be an adaptation of the heart-wrenching novel, Goodnight Mister Tom, by Michelle Magorian. The tale follows a young boy named Willie who suffers at the hands of his cruel and abusive mother. Events take a turn when the Blitz hits London and young Willie is evacuated to a small rural village, where he is placed in the care of a reclusive elderly gentleman named Mister Tom. The plot follows the two characters as they begin to form an unlikely friendship. Full of emotion and sensitivity, the story is a modern classic that has the ability to entertain audiences young and old alike. This production is the latest success to emerge from the Chichester Festival Theatre and follows a string of hits including Sweeney Todd and Singin' in the Rain.