• Review For Us
    • In London or across the UK
    • at Edinburgh Fringe
  • List Your Show
  • Advertising
  • Musicals
  • Plays
  • Ballet & Dance
  • Previews
  • First Look
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Edinburgh Fringe
    • Edinburgh Fringe News
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Edinburgh Fringe
    • Edinburgh Fringe News
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
No Result
View All Result
Home News
Top Ten West End Productions 2017

Top Ten West End Productions 2017

Top Ten West End Productions 2017

by Staff Writer
December 21, 2017
Reading Time: 8 mins read

In a year dominated by revivals, the West End showed us it was still capable of innovation, with a few exciting new productions winning the hearts of audiences.  The arrival of one of the world’s most successful musicals will surely change the face of the West End, even if the ticketing policy and prices leave many fans with a long wait to see it!  Across musicals, plays, and even circus, our West End theatres are bursting at the seams with world class performances which continue to enchant audiences from across the globe.

Here are our top ten West End productions that opened in 2017.

Honourable Mention – Flashdance The Musical Tour

Flashdance takes our honourable mention spot, only because it hasn’t actually made it to the West End, having toured the country throughout the year. But, it so easily could be a West End production, it has all the right ingredients, including Ben Adams and Joanne Clifton in the lead roles, with the most perfect chemistry together.  The tour continues in 2018, with both leads signed up, so if it comes to a theatre near you, grab the opportunity to see it.

       

Flashdance Review UK Tour

Apologia at Trafalgar Studios

Directed by Jamie Lloyd, Apologia brought the legend of stage and screen, Stockard Channing to London. Alexi Kaye Campbell’s second play, Apologia, set in the home of Kristin Miller, a left wing activist in her youth who has clung on to those ideals long beyond her days of demonstrations in the sixties. This family portrait was delightful to watch and a true hit for Jamie Lloyd.

You mightalso like

The Wind in the Willows Shakespeare North

The Wind in The Willows to be Shakespeare North Playhouse’s 2023 Christmas Production

Sam Lips

Interview: Sam Lips on 42nd Street

Apologia Review Freema Agyeman Laura Carmichael Joseph Millson Desmond Barrit C. Marc Brener

The Toxic Avenger at The Arts Theatre

Originally staged at Southwark Playhouse, then at Edinburgh Fringe, The Toxic Avenger finally found its way to The West End in 2017, and was met with a lot of love from audiences. Director, Benji Sperring did wonders in capturing the fun element of the musical.  This was a production that left you crying with laughter and begging for more.

Out There on Fried Meat Ridge Road at Trafalgar Studios

Every so often a comedy comes along that doesn’t have to try too hard, it’s just innately funny and heart-warming. Keith Stevenson’s Out There on Fried Meat Ridge Road, directed by Harry Burton was one of those rare treats, with a few magical moments hidden up its sleeve. The play is actually part of a trilogy and we can only hope the other two hit the stage some time soon.

       

Out Theatre On Fried Meat Ridge Rd. - White Bear Theatre, courtesy of Gavin Watson

The Glass Menagerie at The Duke of York’s Theatre

Tennessee Williams seminal play, The Glass Menagerie, opened for a West End run at the Duke of York’s Theatre in February. Based loosely on Tennessee Williams own family and life, this semi-autobiographical work is a ‘memory play’, that is, it is based on his memories but isn’t entirely accurate. John Tiffany brought his magical flair to the production giving it a truly beautiful look and feel.

Glass Menagerie Review Duke of York's Theatre

Bat Out of Hell The Musical at London Coliseum

Following an extended run in Manchester, Bat Out of Hell The Musical exploded on to the West End in June and became an overnight success. Packed with those classic Meatloaf hits, you already know all the songs, Andrew Polec and Christina Bennington were perfect as the star-crossed lovers, and the announcement that Bat Out of Hell will return to London in 2018 has been met with delight from fans.

Review Bat out of Hell The Musical at London Coliseum

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at The Harold Pinter Theatre

Imelda Staunton returned to the West End stage this year with the classic Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? It made the headlines for the food ban imposed in the Harold Pinter Theatre, but seeing the production you can understand why, the play is hugely intense, totally captivating, and the lack of rustling food wrappers allowed audiences to become fully immersed in the performance.

WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF by Albee ; Directed by James MacDonald ; Designed by Tom Pye ; at the Harold Pinter Theatre, London, UK ; 21 February 2017 ; Credit : Johan Persson /

Big Fish The Musical at The Other Palace

The casting of American sitcom star Kelsey Grammer was clearly the key pulling point for many people booking tickets to this new musical. But, on seeing Big Fish The Musical, you realise there is so much more to this wonderful production, Grammer isn’t the only star of the show, Matthew Seadon Young and Jamie Muscato are outstanding, and Andrew Lippa’s score is captivating. Also, it made me cry, a lot!

Review Big Fish at The Other Palace

42nd Street at Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Those dancing feet! So many of them! 42nd Street is truly a song and dance spectacular, bursting at the seams with glitz and glamour. The lead cast are sensational, but it’s all those incredibly talented dancers who make this show absolutely un-missable.

Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Angels in America at The National Theatre

What can I say about Marianne Elliott’s production of Tony Kushners epic Angels in America at The National Theatre? It was simply stunning, Andrew Garfield and Denise Gough were breathtaking, while Russel Tovey reminded us all of his tremendous stage skills. Sitting through two four-hour-ish performances was well worth it!

James McArdle (Louis) and Andrew Garfield (Prior) in Angels in America

Hamilton at The Victoria Palace Theatre

Well we’re cheating a little here because technically Hamilton hasn’t ‘opened’ yet.  At the time of writing, the musical theatre behemoth is still in previews following a delayed opening. However, I have been lucky enough to see a preview performance and feel confident that it deserves the top spot. You don’t need me to tell you anything else about this particular show, it’s already more than earned its stripes on Broadway.

Jamael Westman with West End cast of Hamilton - Photo credit Matthew Murphy

Those were our top ten West End productions for 2017, but there were many fantastic productions across London, did your favourite show make the list? Let us know in the comments.

Want more Top Ten’s?

Top Ten Off-West End Productions of 2017

Best Edinburgh Fringe Productions of 2017

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

At Theatre Weekly we are dedicated to giving theatre a new audience. Our News, Reviews and Interviews are all written with the audience in mind, helping you decide what to see next. And when you have decided, our great ticket deals will help save you money too.

Related Articles

The Wind in the Willows Shakespeare North
News

The Wind in The Willows to be Shakespeare North Playhouse’s 2023 Christmas Production

Sam Lips
Interviews

Interview: Sam Lips on 42nd Street

Hero Baatar and Timberlake Wertenberker
News

The Mongol Khan Announces Full Creative Team For UK Staging at The Coliseum In November

DR SEMMELWEIS Cast credit Simon Annand
News

Full Cast Announced For The West End Run of Dr Semmelweis

Vogue World at Theatre Royal Drury Lane
News

Vogue World Arrives in London’s West End

Glow Up Live
News

Glow Up Live Coming to the London Palladium

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Twitter Facebook Youtube Instagram

At Theatre Weekly we give theatre a new audience. You'll find our theatre news, theatre reviews and theatre interviews are written from an audience point of view. Our great value London theatre tickets will get you the best deal for your theatre tickets.
Theatre Weekly, 124 City Road, London EC1V 2NX
  • Join Our Community
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising

Recent News

Jekyll and Hyde Audrey Brisson cred. Harry Elletson

Reading Rep Theatre Announce Edinburgh Transfer of Jekyll & Hyde

Underbelly Boulevard. Photo Tom Lee

Underbelly and Soho Estates Announce Underbelly’s First Permanent Venue – Underbelly Boulevard

© 2022 Theatre Weekly

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Tickets
  • Digital Theatre
  • News
    • West End
    • Off West End
    • Regional & Tours
    • Digital
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
  • Edinburgh Fringe
    • Edinburgh Fringe News
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer

© 2022 Theatre Weekly