Top 10 New Musicals In The West End 6 March 2015

What Musical should you see first in London?

We have compiled this list to save you the trouble of working it out! It's just our view - and everyone has one - based on our Reviewers' thoughts. We will update the list regularly so new productions get on your radar and when original casts change that is factored in.

Plays which have been running for more than three years are not included - this is a list for new or relatively new productions running in London.

So go see them!

Katie Brayben and Carole King in Beautiful. Photo: Brinkoff Mogenberg 1. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

The throbbing, majestic and luminous heart of this production comes from Katie Brayben’s faultless, radiant and absolutely triumphant turn as Carole King. Brayben recreates the feel, the sound, the look of Carole King in a completely authentic and resonant way – she feels like the natural woman.

Read our review  |  Book Tickets for Beautiful

2. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

It is an absolute sensation – guaranteed to restore and replenish your inner child and to restore your faith in the concept of the good old fashioned musical.

Read our review | Book Tickets for Charlie And The Chocolate Factory

3. Cats

The very best aspect of this production is the power, energy and sheer musicality Graham Hurman brings to the score. The orchestra is sizzling, sparking musical energy through every bar of Lloyd-Webber’s rich and diverse score. There is discipline, sensuality, a real sense of tribal connection and acrobatic excellence in the dancing here; it all feels fresh, precise and vigorous.

Read our review | Book Tickets for Cats

Made In Dagenham. Photo: Manuel Harlan 4. Made In Dagenham

When Made In Dagenham is focussed on the fairy tale, it is completely engaging, very funny, heart-warming and genuinely affecting. And intrinsically British. It runs the whole spectrum from cute giggle to silent, handkerchief-drenching tears; a musical roller-coaster with more highs than lows.

Read our review | Book Tickets For Made In Dagenham

5. Miss Saigon

It’s a palpable hit, a wonderful, searing and soaring revival of Miss Saigon borne aloft by three remarkable performances from Noblezada, Hong and Carroll.

Read our review | Book Tickets For Miss Saigon

Killian Donnelly and Beverley Knight in Memphis. Photo: Johan Persson 6. Memphis

More than anything else, Memphis is about change and acceptance, and the important way culture and art (music, in this case) can be transformative in important and tangible ways. But it is not worthy or earnest in any way; rather, it relies upon humour, heart and hockadoo, creating mini-tornadoes of singing and dancing joy to propel your spirit into the stratosphere.

Read our review | Book Tickets For Memphis

7. Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

Tamsin Greig is the lead performer here. She is perfect for the acting requirements. She has style, a sense of whimsical élan and a marvellous comic ability. She lands all the jokes and finds the true sense of despair which defines her character

Read our review | Book Tickets For Women On The Verge

8. Book of Mormon

For my part, it is as plain as a pike staff that the performers at hard work in this Parker, Lopez and Stone piece are, uniformly, at the top of their game and give more than 100% constantly. This production is far, far better than that original Broadway production.

Read our review | Book Tickets To The Book Of Mormon

9. Sunny Afternoon

There is a lot to like in Sunny Afternoon and overall the experience is more than satisfactory. It is great fun. Well worth seeing and hard not to enjoy.

Read our review | Book Tickets To Sunny Afternoon

The Commitments at The Palace Theatre 10. The Commitments The West End is about to be awash with new musicals and tomorrow Jamie Lloyd’s production of Roddy Doyle’s musical adaptation of his book and film, The Committments, opens at the Palace Theatre where it is likely to play for a very long time judging by the reaction of the enthusiastic clapping and dancing-in-the-aisles multi-generational audience at tonight’s performance. Read our review | Book Tickets to The Commitments