Must-see shows for a spooky Halloween!
It’s almost that time of year again; when you keep a bowl of sweets by your front door, when pumpkins stand guard outside the house and when you can legitimately dress up as Elphaba with the excuse that it’s Halloween. Now that we’re a bit old for trick-or-treating (or not, you decide), we have to find other ways of entertaining ourselves. Below, we have outlined our top five spookiest London shows to tickle your ghoulish fancy.
Murder Ballad
If we’re talking about scary scenes on stage, Murder Ballad is the killer rock musical with an all-star cast that is sure to satisfy your spooky needs. Starring Kerry Ellis (Wicked), Ramin Karimloo (Les Miserables), Victoria Hamilton-Barritt (In the Heights) and Norman Bowman (Guys and Dolls), Murder Ballad guarantees a cold-blooded climax that will leave you chilled to the bone! Written by Julia Jordan, with music and lyrics by Juliana Nash, the show follows a doomed love triangle of dark desires and murderous obsession.
Where: Arts Theatre London
When: September 30th – December 3rd
Spooky rating: 3/5
Dead Funny
Ok, so this is technically be a comedy, but it is called Dead Funny! Just look at the poster! Marking the 21st anniversary of Terry Johnson’s rip-roaring play, the comedy opens at the Vaudeville Theatre just in time for Halloween. Dead Funny follows Eleanor, who desperately wants a baby, and her husband Richard, who is preoccupied with running the Dead Funny Society, which celebrates the past lives of comedy greats. When Frankie Howard and Benny Hill pop their clogs in the same week, Eleanor’s family dreams are put on hold. Starring Katherine Parkinson, Ralf Little and Steve Pemberton, Dead Funny may not exactly be the most frightening watch, but it’s certain to deliver some deadly humour.
Where: Vaudeville Theatre London
When: October 27th – February 4th
Spooky rating: 1/5
Wicked
Ride off on a broomstick with London’s ever-popular Wicked. Currently starring Rachel Tucker and Suzie Mathers, Wicked is the back-story of the Witches of Oz and discovers how they came to be known as Glinda the Good and the infamous Wicked Witch of the West. Whilst there are no black cats, there are talking animals, tricks and enough magic and mystery for any Halloween! This stellar musical features show-stopping numbers such as “The Wizard and I”, “Defying Gravity” and “No Good Deed”. Expect flying, spells and, of course, the ultimate green queen.
Where: Apollo Victoria London
When: Booking through 2017!
Spooky rating: 4/5
Matilda the Musical
Could there be a scarier villain than Miss Trunchbull? Join Matilda and her friends as they battle against the terrifying tyranny of their larger-than-life head-mistress, with the help of the delightful Miss Honey. With music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and a book by Dennis Kelly, Matilda the Musical follows five year-old Matilda, a young girl with tremendous capabilities. Extraordinarily talented and cleverer than all the other children, Miss Honey champions Matilda, much to Miss Trunchbull’s chagrin. Soon, Matilda discovers that she has additional powers that can help get rid of her horrible head-teacher!
Where: Cambridge Theatre London
When: Booking through 2017!
Spooky rating: 3/5
The Woman in Black
What better show to see at Halloween than the West End’s number one thriller, The Woman in Black? Set at the creepy Eel Marsh House, The Woman in Black tells the story of solicitor Arthur Kipps, who visits to settle the state, but encounters a much scarier sight than he could have ever imagined. Gripping audiences for decades, The Woman in Black continues to haunt the Fortune Theatre, which is rumoured to house a ghost of its own!
Where: Fortune Theatre London
When: Booking through 2017!
Spooky rating: 5/5
Not for you? How about The Mousetrap, for a deadly whodunit, or The Phantom of the Opera, for a phantastic treat!