Never a fan of musicals made up entirely of nostalgic chart hits, rather than storyline, I was pleasantly surprised by Jersey Boys. Although the music is probably from a generation before me, I still recognized most of the songs and there was enough of a story to keep things interesting in between.

What I didn’t really realize until after the show was that Jersey Boys is actually an accurate portrayal of what happened to Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons. Usually a show like this uses poetic license and concentrates on big sets and big numbers, but in Jersey Boys the set is actually very basic, and the characters have to act as well as be great musicians.

Most of the audience were older, as naturally they have more of an interest in a band from their era. However, if you choose one ‘jukebox’ musical to get tickets for, make it this one. As a whole show, it was far more enjoyable than the likes of Thriller.

If you’d like to see the show, check out the deals available on Jersey Boys Tickets

The long-awaited sequel to Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies, is opening in Spring 2010 in London, and we’ve heard some juicy details about the show. Christine will almost certainly be played by Sierra Boggess, who is probably best known for playing the Little Mermaid on Broadway. She has played Christine before in Phantom so will definitely bring experience to the table.

Erik will be played by Ramin Karimloo, another Phantom veteran who is currently on stage in London. Raoul will apparently be played by John Barrowman, an actor starring increasingly in musicals since the break in filming hit BBC show Torchwood.

The Broadway cast is so far unknown, as are any possible dates for Broadway shows. It looks like we might have to take a theatre break to London to catch the opening run!

See all the deals on Love Never Dies tickets, or even combine the show with a theatre break.

Joseph has been one of my favourite musicals since childhood (I was even part of the cast a couple of times during my school days) but I have to admit something rare for me – I wasn’t looking forward to the show! The reason that so many people have flocked to see this West End production at the Adelphi Theatre – Gareth Gates of Pop Idol fame – gave me reservations. The fact is, I’ve never been a fan of his and I worried I wouldn’t like the performance.

Thankfully, Mr. Gates proved me wrong. Even if I don’t like his music, he can actually sing and he gave a strong, charismatic performance in the title role. The costumes were bright, the choreography both practiced and entertaining and of course the brilliant storyline and songs carry the show all the way through. The whole audience (lots of Gareth Gates fans!) enjoyed themselves and the show was definitely suitable for children as there were lots of families present. By the end of the show everyone was clapping along so if you like to participate in a musical, Joseph is definitely for you!

See the deals available on Joseph tickets, or other shows to see at the Adelphi Theatre.

Playing in the Ambassadors Theatre, Stomp isn’t your traditional musical. In fact, it’s more of a dance show but the percussive music and ingenious choreography rank it amongst one of the most enjoyable spectacles in the West End – it’s certainly the most unique. As a child in the 90s I’d seen Stomp on television several times so thought I knew what to expect with the show, but it was far more exciting and engaging than I expected.

The dancers – or should I call them musicians – are so highly skilled that you marvel at how they’re able to dance and put complex musical arrangements together at the same time. They’re so energetic and the timing of each scene is perfect. The audience was mesmerized throughout the entire performance but be warned – it’s 1 hour 40 without a break so best not to drink too much beforehand! Stomp really is unique and this is a perfect show if you love great choreography and non-stop action.

Take a look at all the deals available on Stomp tickets.

Telling the story of tragic twins separated at birth, Blood Brothers is a fantastically thoughtful, emotive musical but not a good choice if you prefer light-hearted comedy. The humour is Northern and gritty, but much of the show is about romance, drama and eventually tragedy. You can tell right from the start that the brothers are doomed and watching their downfall would bring a tear to anyone’s eye.

The acting in this show really is superb and much of the story is driven by the script, rather than by the songs themselves. However, the singing is powerful and full of emotion – you empathise with every character that gets caught up in the fateful lives of the twins – especially their mother who is particularly well cast. If you want a musical that makes you think then Blood Brothers is the one for you. Be warned though – there is some strong language so the show might not be suitable for young children.

If you’d like to see the show, take a look at the Blood Brothers tickets available.