A brief history of musicals and theatres in London

Alongside Broadway in New York, London's West End is home to some of the world's best theatres and musicals. What kind of shows are performed there? How have they evolved over the years? Which legendary musicals were created in London? Read on for a look at the history of musicals in London and beyond!

But what exactly is a musical?

The genre emerged at the end of the 19th century with the first play of its kind: The Black Crook, which premiered in 1866. Inspired by burlesque and music hall revues in America and descended from French operettas, the musical is characterised by a mixture of song, spoken dialogue and dance. Although musicals are often referred to as "comedies", the themes they explore are not necessarily light-hearted, which is why the term 'musical' is preferred in English.

The beginnings of the musical

In its early days, musicals tended to present musical numbers based on a vague theme. There was also a lack of consistency, with several composers often working on the same piece. However, from the 1920s onwards, the emergence of jazz enriched the genre. Many musicals were created in the United States and then performed in London.

The 1930s saw a revival with the advent of "talking pictures". Stage musicals such as Showboat in 1927 emerged alongside film musicals.

The golden age: from the 1940s to the 1950s

The golden age of musicals began with the collaboration of librettist Oscar Hammerstein II and composer Richard Rodgers. They took the genre in new directions, tackling social issues while still incorporating humour. Several of their works became classics that were adapted for cinema, such as The Sound of Music.

Other famous musicals followed, with new composers diversifying the genre. However, it was not until 1957 that Leonard Bernstein created one of the greatest musical masterpieces: West Side Story. This musical was revolutionary in that singing and dancing, which were usually separate, became interwoven with spoken dialogue. Ensemble dances were organised coherently within the story and could transform into solos.

Some of the most famous musicals of the period include:

• Carmen Jones (1943)
• Oklahoma! (1943)
• Annie Get Your Gun (1946)
• The King and I (1951)
• My Fair Lady (1956)
• The Sound of Music (1959)

The 1960s and 1980s saw a renewal of themes

Cultural and social changes meant that musicals could tackle freer and more daring subjects. Cabaret was performed on stage, the hippy movement gave birth to Hair, and Stephen Sondheim's bloody Sweeney Todd premiered in London.

Some of the most famous musicals were also created in London. The revolution in morality led to the unbridled musical The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Above all, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber created Jesus Christ Superstar in 1971 and, a decade later, Evita, Cats and The Phantom of the Opera. These musicals were hugely successful and remain among the best known today.

Another legendary musical was born in 1985 thanks to Claude-Michel Schönberg and Cameron Mackintosh: Les Misérables. Along with The Phantom of the Opera, it is still being performed without interruption to this day (leaving aside the period of the pandemic).

Other musicals performed during these decades include:

• Hello, Dolly! (1964)
• Man of La Mancha (1964)
• Chicago (1975)
• Nine (1982)
• Miss Saigon (1989)

From the 1990s to the present day

The following years saw the creation of many different types of musical. In 1990s London, Sunset Boulevard, based on the film of the same name, and Mamma Mia!, based on the songs of the group ABBA, were born. On Broadway, Disney brought its cartoons to the stage with productions such as: The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast. Other notable musicals emerged during this period, including the contemporary adaptation of Puccini's La Bohème, Rent, which tells the dramatic story of a group of artists suffering from AIDS.

The 2000s saw major successes in the United States, including The Producers, a satire of the musical theatre world; Wicked, which revisited characters from The Wizard of Oz; and Hamilton, about one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. London also produced notable musicals such as Billy Elliot and Mary Poppins, both based on the original films, as well as We Will Rock You, based on the songs of the band Queen.

Other musicals created in London in recent years include:

• Thriller Live (2009)
• Matilda the Musical (2010)
• The Bodyguard (2012)
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2013)

What's next?

London has a rich history of musicals, whether transferred from Broadway in New York or created in the West End. It's all the more impressive when you see a show that's been running for over twenty years. But London hasn't forgotten about the future, with new musicals being created in the British capital's theatres every year. The West End still has plenty of surprises in store!