The show must go on- Musicals Part 1

By now, almost everyone probably knows. Since I moved to London, I have completely discovered the world of musicals for myself. And every now and then I am asked if I can write something about it. But since the whole topic is already so big, I have decided to make a series of articles about it. So there will be a blog from time to time in which I introduce a few musicals.

Since I moved to London in September 2020, I have seen a total of 43 musicals. Okay, twice doesn't really count, as I saw the two (Fame, Kudamm 56) in Germany.

41 musicals is quite a lot and seeing it written down like this is almost unbelievable. Especially since I couldn't see any theaters from the inside during the first year because of Corona. Of the 41, I have seen a total of 32 different ones. I have either seen the remaining ones twice or more often.

London is famous for its musical scene. In addition to Broadway in New York, the West End is the most famous venue for all its musicals. But London is also big and there are incredibly many different theaters here. The West End includes approximately 40 theaters, but the number of theaters outside the West End is probably much larger. Because even every district often has its own theater. Best example: Camberwell (where I live!): from here I can reach around nine theaters within 15 minutes by bike. I know for sure that three of them also occasionally perform musicals.

Corona has of course also made life very difficult for the cultural world here. Everything came to a standstill. No theater was open, no rehearsals, no performances, and a very uncertain future. To support the cultural sector, the 'The show must go on' charity campaign was launched. Each letter (see picture above) represents one of the then largest musicals in the West End (now who can guess the individual shows?).

You could then purchase different items (hoodies, t-shirts, masks, mugs, magnets, posters) or simply donate money. A total of 80,000 orders were received and the packages were shipped to 75 different countries around the world. Through this campaign, more than £1,000,000 was raised for the Theatre Support Fund+. This money then went directly to the many, many people who work in and for the theater in one way or another.

And then the time had finally come. I had tickets for my first musical. In September 2021, I was able to see Waitress.

Waitress is about Jenna, who works as a baker and waitress in an American diner. Privately, she is in an abusive relationship, and when she unexpectedly becomes pregnant, she starts an affair with her gynecologist. As a chance to escape all her problems, she participates in a big baking competition and hopes to win the big prize.

The musical is based on the film of the same name (which is also available on German Disney+, if you are interested). It is still a relatively new musical. It premiered on Broadway in 2016 and was seen in the West End from 2019 to 2020.

In 2021, a tour of the UK and Ireland started, so we also had the chance to see the musical after the pandemic. It was incredibly fun, and even today I listen to the soundtrack every now and then. Each music number was written especially for the musical by Sara Bareilles, and the band, consisting of a total of six musicians, was always visible on stage and was sometimes involved in the plot.

Waitress was a very good start to all my previous musical visits, and I would go again right away if it ever comes to London again.

I know that I am very lucky to have this world full of musicals right in front of me. But I gladly accept this privilege and try to visit as many musicals as possible. And what can I say, I think I'm doing pretty well ;).