From Sinatra to Jesus Christ Superstar and West End LIVE, London’s stages promise powerhouse vocals, iconic songs and theatrical spectacle this summer. Lisa Hylton and Sam Rogg report.
Sing, Swing, Sinatra!
Bright lights, big band rhythms and a voice that defined a generation set the scene as Sinatra the Musical arrives at the Aldwych Theatre this summer (from 3 Jun). This West End premiere charts the extraordinary life of Frank Sinatra, tracing his journey from young
performer to global icon, capturing the highs, the heartbreaks and, of course, the music that shaped a cultural legend.
At the heart of the musical is Sinatra’s world: smoky clubs, flashing cameras and the constant push and pull between fame and fragility. The story begins in 1942, as a young Italian-American singer steps onto a New York stage and unexpectedly tips into stardom. What follows is a portrait of a life lived at full volume – love, loss, scandal and the relentless drive to reclaim his place at the top in the greatest comeback story of showbusiness. More than 20 timeless songs are woven through the storytelling, including That’s Life, One for My Baby, The Best is Yet to Come and Come Fly with Me. These are not simply musical interludes, but the narrative itself – charting Sinatra’s rise, fall and reinvention.
Heaven Sent
A decade after its sell-out success, an Olivier Award-winning production of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar arrives at The London Palladium for an 11-week summer run (20 Jun-5 Sep). Directed by Tim Sheader, with choreography by Drew McOnie and design by Tom Scutt, this latest staging reunites the acclaimed creative team behind Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s 2016 production. Leading
the cast, Sam Ryder takes on the role of Jesus opposite Tyrone Huntley as Judas, with a rotating line-up of King Herods including Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Simon Russell Beale, Layton Williams, Julian Clary and Boy George. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, and featuring songs including I Don’t Know How to Love Him, Gethsemane and the title number, the story follows the final days of Christ through Judas’s perspective, set to a score shaped by 1970s rock. Don’t miss the return of a musical masterpiece.
West End Wonders
Not sure which show to book tickets for this summer? West End LIVE returns to Trafalgar Square for a high-energy weekend of free performances (20-21 Jun),bringing the very best of London theatre into the open air. At the time of writing, the full line-up is still to be revealed, but if previous years are anything to go by, expect plenty of showstopping numbers from fan favorites such as Hamilton, Wicked, Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, The Lion King and Les Misérables.
You’re also bound to be wowed by some must-see new shows due to open in the capital later this year. Think powerhouse vocals, dazzling choreography and those goosebump-inducing moments that remind you why the West End is world-famous. Arrive early to grab a good spot and settle in for theatre at its most accessible. Whether you’re introducing little ones to musicals or scouting for stars, this is a feel-good, singalong celebration not to be missed.
