10 West End musicals to see in 2019

With new productions opening throughout the year, the West End is always an exciting time to check out the hottest shows from home grown talent and further afield. From anniversary productions to West End premieres, we take a look at 10 musicals that we're excited to see in London next year.

Come From Away

See how the small Canadian town of Gander welcomed in over 6,500 stranded passengers for the immediate days after 9/11 in Come From Away. The compassion of Ganderites welcoming in those who could not travel further is at the centre of this new musical, landing at the Phoenix Theatre in 2019. Weaving individual stories of those who were in Gander on 9/11 and the following days, Come From Away will leave audiences reflecting about the impact of this fateful day which changed the world.

Click here to find out why Come From Away will be one of 2019's most powerful musicals in the West End.

Phoenix Theatre, from 30th January.

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Waitress

Set to whip the West End into a frenzy, Waitress will bring the sweet smell of freshly baked pies to the Adelphi Theatre. When Jenna Hunterson, a small town waitress learns she is pregnant with a child by her abusive husband, she begins to find a way out. An expert pie-maker, Jenna enters a local pie making competition in order to start a new life, growing closer to her gynaecologist during her pregnancy. Receiving four Tony Award nominations on Broadway, Waitress is sure to be an exciting new musical that will leave a sweet taste in the West End.

Adelphi Theatre, from 8th February.

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Only Fools and Horses

The Trotters are going up in the world! Co-written by son of show's creator John Sullivan and comedian Paul Whitehouse, Only Fools and Horses brings the hit television show to the West End for the first time. In this stage adaptation of the BBC classic, Rodney and Cassandra prepare to get married while Del Boy tries to find love, with an original soundtrack featuring songs from Chas Hodges from Chas n Dave fame. See the Trotter family and their friends reunite on stage in Only Fools and Horses and be charmed by their pukka Cockney ways.

Theatre Royal Haymarket, from 9th February.

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9 to 5

Set to an original score by country star Dolly Parton, 9 to 5 tells the dreams of Violet, Doralee and Judy, three female colleagues who work at Consolidated Industries under their ruthless boss Franklin Hart Jr. Wishing they didn't have to work for him, the women plot ways to punish and murder their boss in the hopes of improving their office environment. A star-studded cast including Bonnie Langford and Louise Redknapp will be in 9 to 5, a show where cowgirl dreams and working as a team come together.

Savoy Theatre, from 28th January.

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Man of La Mancha

After the RSC's production of Don Quixote at the Garrick Theatre, Miguel de Cervantes' novel finds itself in the West End once more with Man of La Mancha. Set to a rousing soundtrack featuring "The Impossible Dream", see Don Quixote rise from prisoner to noble knight alongside his trusty sidekick Sancho Panza as the pair travel through medieval Spain. Starring Kelsey Grammer and opera soprano Danielle de Niese, Man of La Mancha is set to take audiences on a journey as they follow that star...

London Coliseum, from 26th April to 8th June.

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On Your Feet

Conga-ing into the London Coliseum, On Your Feet will receive its West End premiere. Recounting the love story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan, London will be set alight with some of the biggest hits from the Latin singers, including "1-2-3" and "Get On Your Feet". Let the rhythm get you, sending you to a world filled with Latin inspired music at On Your Feet, where Cuban rhythms take centre stage. 

London Coliseum, from 14th June to 31st August.

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Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Last performed in London in 2009, the coat of many colours will glisten in the West End once more, as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat comes to the West End. Narrating the biblical tale of Joseph being sold into slavery, the Genesis story comes to life in this sung through musical. Jason Donovan will return to the West End and Joseph to play the Pharaoh, with the show including well known musical theatre songs, including "Any Dream Will Do" and "Close Every Door" set to excite audiences of all ages.

London Palladium, from 27th June to 8th September.

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Dear Evan Hansen

From the award-winning songwriters behind The Greatest Showman comes Dear Evan Hansen, which will receive its West End premiere at the Noël Coward Theatre later this year. This uplifting, contemporary musical follows Evan Hansen as he is about to get the one thing he's always wanted: a chance to finally fit in. Casting is currently unknown, however producers have announced that they are looking for a British actor to play Evan in London.

Noël Coward Theatre, from 29th October.

Dear Evan Hansen tickets are now on sale.

Mary Poppins

Flying back into the West End, Mary Poppins will be revived at the Prince Edward Theatre later this year, starring Zizi Strallen in the title role and Charlie Stemp as Bert, as well as Petula Clark will also return to the West End stage for the first time in over 20 years to play the Bird Woman. Follow the magical nanny, Bert and the Banks children through the streets of London on their fun adventures, with an upbeat soundtrack including "Let's Go Fly a Kite", "Step in Time" and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious".

Prince Edward Theatre, from 23rd October.

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& Juliet

Pop songs by Britney Spears, Ellie Goulding and the Backstreet Boys will feature in the soundtrack of & Juliet, the latest jukebox musical to receive a world premiere in the West End. Miriam Teak-Lee will play the titular Shakespearian leading lady, but not as you know her. Asking what would happen if Juliet had ran away to Paris, watch Juliet take control of her own story when the musical opens at the Shaftesbury Theatre later in the year.

Shaftesbury Theatre, from 2nd November.

Shows previously listed

Violet

Giving us the music for Fun Home and Caroline, or Change, Jeanine Tesori lends her musical talents to Violet, making its UK premiere in 2019. Set in the American Midwest in 1964, Violet embarks upon a personal journey across the country in order to fix her bodily disfigurements. Travelling from North Carolina to Oklahoma, Violet reflects upon her life so far from being a plucky child to an aspirational young woman. With a gospel and blues soundtrack, Violet is set to be a thought-provoking yet heartwarming tale of life and identity.

Charing Cross Theatre, from 14th January to 6th April.

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The Light in the Piazza

Renée Fleming and Dove Cameron are set to make their West End debuts in the London premiere of The Light in The Piazza. Whisking audiences away to Florence, Margaret and Clara Johnson visit the Italian city. All is calm until Clara falls in love with Fabrizio, an Italian who is able to coax family secrets and long-lasting conflicts. Set to an operatic soundtrack, hearts are set to flutter at The Light in The Piazza, running for 20 performances.

Royal Festival Hall, from 14th June to 5th July.

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Evita

After directing the entire Pinter at the Pinter season as well as Betrayal starring Tom Hiddleston, Jamie Lloyd directs his first open air production with Evita, the grand finale of the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre season. One of many musicals featuring music and lyrics by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, Evita focuses on the life of Eva Peron, an Argentine civilian turned political leader featuring an anthemic soundtrack including "Don't Cry for Me Argentina". Casting for Evita is yet to be announced, however we're certain this outdoor production is set to be a dazzling spectacle to round-off the theatre's 2019 season.

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, from 2nd August to 21st September.

Click here to buy tickets.

^{Photo credit: Ell R Brown (Flickr) and Kristopher Harris (Flickr)}