Take a look at the 10 brightest and best shows currently wowing audiences on London's stages.
The Lion King
The award-winning stage adaptation of Disney's animated film features music by Elton John and Tim Rice plus outstanding costumes and amazing special effects. Set against the majesty of the Serengeti Plains and to the evocative rhythms of Africa, The Lion king will dazzle all ages.
Dates: 14 December 2007 to 29 June 2008
Times: 21 Mar 2007 - 30 Mar 2008 Wed, Sat 2:00 PM; Sun 3:00 PM; Tue - Sat 7:30 PM. Closed Christmas Day
Venue - The Lyceum Theatre, 44 (0)20 7420 8100, www.lyceum.org.uk/
The Phantom of the Opera
Andrew Lloyd Webber's epic musical Phantom of the Opera tells the tale of the phantom that terrorises the Paris Opera in an effort to make his protégé Christine become the leading lady of the opera house. This long-running and haunting show is a must see.
Dates: 14 December 2007 to 27 September 2008
Times: 26 Dec 2007 - 27 Sep 2008 Mon - Sat 7:30 PM; 27 Dec 2007 - 03 Jan 2008 Thu 2:30 PM; 29 Dec 2007 - 27 Sep 2008 Wed, Sat 2:30 PM
Venue - Her Majestys Theatre, 44 (0)20 7850 8750, www.hermajestys.co.uk
Monty Python's Spamalot
One of the hottest shows in town, Spamalot tells the story of the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as told by Eric Idle. This hilarious musical is adapted from the screenplay of classic comedy Monty Python And The Holy Grail.
Dates: 14 December 2007 to 27 September 2008
Times: 26 Dec 2007 - 27 Sep 2008 Mon - Sat 7:30 PM; 27 Dec 2007 - 03 Jan 2008 Thu 2:30 PM; 29 Dec 2007 - 27 Sep 2008 Wed, Sat 2:30 PM
Venue - Palace Theatre, 44 (0)20 7850 6240, www.rutheatres.com
We Will Rock You
Ben Elton and the remaining members of the rock group Queen bring you this vibrant musical. Set in a futuristic world where rock music has been banned, it's up to Galileo to save the world!
Dates: 14 December 2007 to 4 October 2008
Times: 13 Oct 2007 - 28 Jun 2008 Sat 2:30 PM; 26 Dec 2007 - 30 Jun 2008 Mon - Sat 7:30 PM; 02 Jan 2008 2:30 PM; 30 Jan 2008 2:30 PM; 20 - 27 Feb 2008 Wed 2:30 PM; 26 Mar 2008 2:30 PM; 09 - 16 Apr 2008 Wed 2:30 PM; 30 Apr 2008 2:30 PM; 28 May 2008 2:30 PM; 25 Jun 2008 2:30 PM
Venue - Dominion Theatre, 44 (0)20 7927 0900, www.dominiontheatre.co.uk
Mamma Mia!
A mother. A daughter. 3 possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you'll never forget. Over 10 million people all around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make Mamma Mia! the ultimate feel-good show.
Dates: 14 December 2007 to 25 April 2009
Times: 30 Sep 2007 - 28 Jun 2008 Mon - Thu 7:30 PM; Fri 5:00 PM; Fri 8:30 PM; Sat 3:00 PM; Sat 7:30 PM. Closed Christmas Day
Venue - Prince of Wales Theatre, 44 (0)20 7839 5972
The Lord of the Rings
The West End's most expensive show ever produced, a musical production of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, arrived in London after premiering in Canada.
Dates: 14 December 2007 to 27 September 2008
Times: 01 Dec 2007 - 27 Sep 2008 Thu, Sat 2:00 PM; 26 Dec 2007 - 27 Sep 2008 Tue - Sat 7:30 PM; 07 Jan - 22 Sep 2008 Mon 7:00 PM
Venue - Theatre Royal, 44 (0)20 7494 5200
Billy Elliot: The Musical
Acclaimed adaptation of the popular British film with music by Elton John. It's the moving story of a boy who falls in love with ballet and fights to prove his doubters wrong.
Dates: 14 December 2007 to 18 December 2008
Times: 20 Dec 2007 - 25 Oct 2008 Thu, Sat 2:30 PM; 26 Dec 2007 - 05 Jan 2008 Tue - Sun 7:30 PM; 07 Jan - 30 Oct 2008 Mon - Sat 7:30 PM; 30 Oct - 18 Dec 2008 Thu 2:30 PM; 03 Nov - 18 Dec 2008 Mon - Thu 7:30 PM
Venue - Victoria Palace Theatre, 44 (0)20 7834 1317, www.victoriapalacetheatre.co.uk
Wicked
This prequel to The Wizard of Oz follows green-skinned Elphaba and beautiful, popular Glinda who forge an unlikely friendship. The musical tells their story and their transformation into the Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch.
Dates: 14 December 2007 to 27 September 2008
Times: 01 Dec 2007 - 27 Sep 2008 Wed, Sat 2:30 PM; 26 Dec 2007 - 27 Sep 2008 Mon - Sat 7:30 PM; 29 May 2008 2:30 PM
Venue - Apollo Victoria, 44 (0)20 7834 6318, www.apollovictoria.co.uk
Chicago: The Musical (West End)
Chicago tells the tale of Roxie, a chorus girl who has murdered her lover but manages to get acquitted with the help of sleazy lawyer Billy Flynn. She teams up with murderess Velma to form an unusual nightclub act. The all-singing, all-dancing show makes for a great, toe-tapping night out!
Dates: 14 December 2007 to 26 July 2008
Times: 22 Jun 2007 - 26 Jul 2008 Fri 4:30 PM; Sat 3:00 PM; 26 Dec 2007 - 05 Jan 2008 Wed - Sat 8:00 PM; 07 Jan - 26 Jul 2008 Mon - Sat 8:00 PM
Venue - The Cambridge Theatre, 44 (0)20 7494 5081, www.cambridgetheatre.co.uk
Les Miserables
This international award-winning musical sweeps its audience through an epic tale of passion and destruction, against the backdrop of a nation in the grip of revolution. A spectacular adaptation of Victor Hugo's masterpiece, it continues to thrill audiences night after night.
Dates: 14 December 2007 to 27 September 2008
Venue - The Queens Theatre, 44 (0)20 7494 5040, www.queens-theatre.co.uk
You can book tickets for each show online at www.visitlondon.com.




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