The Best West End Shows That Haven’t Transferred to Broadway (Yet)
To celebrate our sister site SeatPlan’s launch in New York, we decided to draw up a list of the shows us Londoners would love to send over to Broadway. From blazing, epic dramas to a “histo-remix” bringing feminism to Tudor England, here’s the top five recent West End hits that deserve a go on the Great White Way.
The Inheritance
Matthew Lopez’ epic two-parter earned rave reviews and four Olivier Awards in London, and plenty of Broadway buffs have been clamouring for it to open across the pond. Following a group of young LGBT New Yorkers grappling with the legacy of the AIDs crisis, the show was described by Time Out as “monumental and transcendent”. Like Angels in America (2018) The Inheritance is real event theatre that can be experienced over an entire day. And with a casting call recently put out in the NYC trades, you can start blocking out restroom and snack breaks right about now…
SIX
The classic “divorced, beheaded, died” chant gets a girl power histo-remix in Six. This bolshy, fist-pumping musical mixes Tudor history with 21st century pop music as Henry VIII’s six wives step up to the mic to belt out their royal woes. Part theatrical show, part gig, Six is the perfect night out for a group of girlfriends wanting to celebrate sisterhood. We think it would find a perfect home at one of Broadway’s smaller venues – or even Off-Broadway.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
It really does feel like everybody’s talking about an Everybody’s Talking About Jamie transfer! After opening in Sheffield in 2017, Jamie set up shop at London’s Apollo Theatre and hasn’t looked back since. Based on a true story, this peppy feel-good musical is about a teenage boy who decides he wants to attend his prom in a dress. It’s been compared to Billy Elliott and would be perfect for fans of The Prom.
Company
Taking Sondheim’s classic tale of a single 30-something New Yorker and imbuing it with some gender-bending relevance, Marianne Elliott’s production of Company hurtled into the 21st century with startling ease. It works so well that Sondheim himself admitted he wished Bobby (or Bobbie) had been a woman all along. There’s been plenty of scuttlebutt about the show opening on Broadway and with four Olivier Awards to its name, it’s probably a safe bet to expect an announcement in the next year.
All My Sons (or any Arthur Miller)
If you want powerhouse actors bringing their devastating best to one of America’s greatest playwrights, cross your fingers for the Old Vic Theatre’s All My Sons to transfer.
…Unfortunately, Broadway has its own production of Miller’s seminal play currently running, so this might be a pipedream. But fear not: London’s been going through a bit of a craze for the playwright, and Marianne Elliott’s Death of a Salesman or The Price, starring David Suchet, aren’t to be sniffed at either.
If you can’t wait for these shows to hit Broadway, Six and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie are currently playing in the West End. Check seat views and buy tickets in London here.
Find out more about SeatPlan in New York and join their community of seat reviewers here.
