Watch what happens when a beloved show gets a whole new look. The award-winning Newsies musical made headlines on Broadway and now makes its UK premiere at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre. Now is the time to seize the day. Newsies tickets are available on London Theatre now.
Newsies brings audiences into the heart of 19th-century New York, where a scrappy group of newsboys hawks the day's papers, barely scraping by. These teenagers' dreams of a better life go further out of reach when their boss, newspaper tycoon Joseph Pulitzer, charges them more money just to work.
Led by Jack Kelly, newsies from across the city band together as an unofficial union and go head-to-head with the powerful Pulitzer to fight for their rights as workers. Meanwhile, Katherine Plumber, one of the rare female reporters on the scene, faces her own challenge to be recognized as she covers the newsies' strike.
Menken and lyricist Jack Feldman won the Tony Award for Best Original Score when the Newsies musical came to Broadway in 2012. The show also won Best Choreography and got six additional Tony nominations, including Best Musical. Thanks to its awards success and ever-growing base of "fansies," Newsies's planned 100-performance run repeatedly got extended, and the show ultimately played over 1,000 performances in its two-plus years on Broadway.
The Newsies London production takes place in the round, with the high-energy song and dance, and the world of New York, unfolding all around the audience. Olivier Award nominee Matt Cole directs and choreographs — Cole won an Olivier Award for Best Choreography for Newsies.
Is Newsies based on a true story?
The true story of the 1899 newsboy strike in New York inspired the plot of Newsies. Before it was a stage musical, though, Newsies was a Disney movie musical starring Christian Bale as Jack Kelly. Alan Menken composed the songs for the Newsies film, many of which made it in the musical, like "Carrying the Banner," "Santa Fe," "Seize the Day," and "King of New York."
How long is Newsies the Musical?
Newsies runs 2 hours and 30 minutes, including an interval. Matinee performances begin at 1 or 2:30 p.m., and evening performances begin at 5:30 or 7:30 p.m.
There will be no Newsies performances from 1 - 7 May, and 26 June - 2 July.
Don't just read about the show in the news — experience Newsies for yourself. Tickets to Newsies are available now. Book your Newsies tickets on London Theatre today.