The musicals in London to see right now

London is one of the most diverse cities for culture an entertainment. In need for an art break? Head to the V&A, British Museum, Tate, the list goes on. Want to see you favourite artist perform? Just check the listings in the O2, Roundhouse or SSE Arena. If theatre and musicals is what you’re after, you’ll be spoilt for choice too, as London is the home of some of the best performances.

This week I had the opportunity to see some of the best musicals and plays currently on. Read on and make sure you add those to your list next time you’re in the Big Smoke.

42nd Street

A stellar performance you don’t want to miss! The show is a feel-good depiction of the struggles of director Julian Marsh who’s trying to create a musical extravaganza at the height of the Great Depression.

Its message is that, no matter what, the show must go on and that anyone might get their chance to succeed against the odds. While enjoying the magnificent backdrops – from the cast rehearsing in the studio, to arriving in Philadelphia from New York, to dining out – and endless costume changes, the audience follows the story of Peggy Sawyer, from a nervous but enthusiastic chorus girl to a leading star in the show.

The show is a musical jukebox! The standout songs and performances for me were definitely 42nd street (duh!), There's a Sunny Side to Every Situation, Young and Healthy and We’re in the Money. They’ll make you want to get out of your seat and join the crew as they’re tapping and twirling along on stage!

The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, the home of this spectacular production, is just as magnificent. The building is over 200 years old and hosted the original 42nd Street musical for four years, back in 1980s.

Overall a fantastic feel-good performance for big dreamers.

All or Nothing

A treat for all 60s music lovers, mod fashion and all things cool. All or Nothing follows the rise and fall of the Small Faces – a band of four young guys desperate to make it in the music industry, dedicated to the music and all that comes with it: fun, fame, girls, clothes (but not money!).

The story is masterfully told by the old Steve Marriott (played by Chris Simmons) as he narrates the live of his younger self, the ups and downs of starting a band, being thrown deep in the music business to tour endlessly, perform songs which don’t feel true to the band but are commercially successful, and the changing relationship with his family. All this under hit tunes like Whatcha Gonna Do About It, All or Nothing, Tin Soldier and Lazy Sunday.

Guaranteed to make you take out that mod mini dress, put on some pumps, do the best cat eye you can and hit the town dancing like there’s no tomorrow.

Mood Music

The performance I felt the most relevant in the world we live today. Mood Music is a brilliant theatre drama on the realities of the music industry. The story revolves around an argument over intellectual property for a song between a young, inexperienced but talented singer / songwriter (Cat) and older, selfish but very successful artist-producer (Bernard), which is in no way one-fold.

The action unfolds in between Cat and Bernard’s sessions with their therapists and lawyers who are trying to untangle the story and the details around how the song was created. But it’s not as simple as who wrote the lyrics and the melody. We see Can and Bernard in the studio and see how collaborative and compromising the process can be.

Beyond the issue on intellectual property, the play touches on some highly topical issues such as the differences in the way men and women are treated in the music business (surprise – it’s not great for women!), the myth of the solo creator, the effects of being in the spotlight from an early age and the person you turn into as a result, the desperate need to control at least one aspect of your career when in reality, you’re a puppet for your manager and the audience.

Incredibly thought-provoking play, regardless if you’re in the music industry or not.

Would love to hear which musicals and plays you’ve been to!