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Longest Running West End Shows That You Don’t Want to Miss

In London's West End, where stories comes to life, there are a few shows that have captured the hearts of audiences for an astonishing number of years. These productions have not only stood the test of time but have also broken records, becoming legendary in their own right. From the gripping murder mystery of The Mousetrap to the exhilarating stories of mass struggle in Les Misérables, here are some of the longest running West End shows.

1The Mousetrap

A legendary whodunit written by Agatha Christie, The Mousetrap is a murder mystery that first hit the stage in London's West End in 1952. The Mousetrap holds the record for being the longest-running show in the history of West End, boasting an impressive 28,915 performances as of November 2022. If you catch this thrilling production at St Martin's Theatre, don't forget to snap a photo next to the wooden counter in the theatre foyer. It displays the total number of performances.

Genre: Mystery
Playing At: St Martin's Theatre

2Les Misérables

Les Misérables is a sung-through production that unfolds the story of Jean Valjean, a humble French peasant on a quest for redemption against the backdrop of the French Revolution. The Musical has been enthralling London's West End since October 1985 with over 14,000 performances. Not only has the musical won several Tonys, Grammys and Ollies, but its film adaption has also won three Oscars.

Genre: Drama, History
Playing At: Sondheim Theatre

3The Phantom of the Opera

The Phantom of the Opera is a musical that delves into the haunting obsession of a masked musical genius residing beneath the Paris Opéra House, as he becomes infatuated with the enchanting soprano, Christine Daaé. In 1986, The Phantom of the Opera debuted in London's West End, receiving prestigious accolades and has more than 13,000 performances ever since.

Genre: Romance, Drama
Playing At: His Majesty's Theatre

4Mamma Mia!

Based on ABBA's iconic songs, Mamma Mia! is a jukebox musical penned by British playwright Catherine Johnson. Set against the backdrop of a Greek island, it follows the exciting journey of Sophie, a young woman yearning for a dream wedding with her fiancé Sky. Charming and funny, this musical has become the sixth longest-running show in West End history. If you happen to be an ABBA fan, you must also check out their live show, ABBA Voyage.

Genre: Romance, Comedy
Playing At: Novello Theatre

5The Lion King

Bringing the beloved Disney tale to the stage, The Lion King made its debut at the Lyceum Theatre in London's West End in 1999, and has over 7,500 performances under its belt. Follow the journey of Simba, a young lion who must flee the pride lands after the tragic murder of his father, King Mufasa. As he embarks on a soul-searching expedition, he ultimately returns to reclaim his throne and restore harmony to the kingdom. A tale for all ages, The Lion King is an unmissable experience.

Genre: Kids, Drama
Playing At: Lyceum Theatre

6Wicked

Wicked tells us the story of two unlikely best friends, Elphaba and Galinda, and how their struggles and strife lead them on two separate paths. Set in the magical world of The Wizard of Oz, the story begins before and continues after Dorothy Gale arrives in Oz from Kansas. It has won three Tony Awards and seven Drama Desk Awards, and has been performed almost 6,000 times in the West End. It also was the first show in the history of the West End to ever gross over £1,000,000 in just one week.

Genre: Fantasy
Playing At: Apollo Victoria Theatre

7Matilda the Musical

Matilda The Musical is a stage musical based on the 1988 classic novel by Roald Dahl. The show follows the story of Matilda Wormwood, a precocious 5-year-old girl with the gift of telekinesis through her wonderful adventure as she tackles her family and school. The show has won a record number of seven 2012 Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical and with over 6000 performances, it has been playing at the Cambridge Theatre in London’s West End since 2011, .

Genre: Children, Fantasy
Playing At: Cambridge Theatre

8The Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon is a musical comedy that follows two missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as they attempt to preach the faith to the inhabitants of a remote Ugandan village. The show is known for its cheeky humor and bops. Created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the makers of South Park, it has won nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical. As of December 20th, 2022, The Book of Mormon has run for 3391 performances.

Genre: Comedy
Playing At: The Prince of Wales Theatre

Honourable Mentions

Although these two productions playing at the West End anymore, they have stood the test of time, entertaining audiences for decades. "The Woman in Black" boasts an impressive 33-year run and over 13,000 spine-chilling performances. Its horror-thriller plot follows a lawyer who finds himself face-to-face with a vengeful ghost in a remote village. Not too far behind is "Blood Brothers," a beloved musical that has secured its place in West End history. With a remarkable 24-year run and over 10,000 shows, it has become one of the longest-running musicals in the West End. "Blood Brothers" tells the tale of twin brothers separated at birth, leading vastly different lives on opposite sides of society's divide. One finds success, while the other struggles with poverty and crime.

The post Longest Running West End Shows That You Don’t Want to Miss appeared first on Headout Blog.



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