A selection of shows people are dying to see return on the West End

Over the years, the theatre has cemented its place as a true staple of global popular culture. London’s West End is the home of some to of the world’s most iconic theatres and has become a true British institution in its own right, with people flocking from all over the world to sample the biggest and best shows the industry has to offer.

However, despite the abundance of high-quality and long-running musicals currently playing in the West End, a number of classics have been deemed to have run their course of the years and we reckon they should be making a swift return to the big stage and sharpish. With that being said, below is a brief rundown of what we’d like to see making a comeback as well as a show which continues to excite us even to this day despite its advancing years.

Rock of Ages

Glam-rock musical Rock of Ages premiered on Broadway in 2009 and its continued popularity lead to it being nominated for a total of five Tony awards. As well as being accompanied by one of the most catchy and iconic soundtracks of any musical to grace the West End (We Built This City and Don’t Stop Believin’, anyone?), Rock of Ages was even adapted for the big screen back in 2012 with a star-studded cast which included Tom Cruise and Alec Baldwin. Although it’s recently been announced that the musical will be returning for a UK tour in 2018 and we’re obviously thrilled, Rock of Ages firmly belongs in the West End and we’re hoping the popularity of the tour will mean it’s back where it belongs soon enough.

Phantom of the Opera

The Phantom of the Opera has won over 50 major theatre awards, has sold over 100 million tickets worldwide and is second only to Mamma Mia in the longest-running musicals in the history of the West End. After more than 15,000 performances, the tortured genius of the Phantom continues to be as popular as ever and this is partly down to the remarkable impact the story has had on popular culture. There are numerous video games relating to the musical where gamers can enjoy high-quality graphics whilst listening to the musical’s iconic soundtrack, as well as merchandise relating to the musical from the official online London Merchandise shop. The Phantom of the Opera is the perfect example of how a brand can stay relevant with a little bit of lateral thinking and perhaps other shows could learn a thing or two from it.

Whistle Down the Wind

You could quite conceivably argue that Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Whistle Down the Wind is the true hidden gem of the West End or at least a forgotten classic since it debuted back in the mid-1990s. Whilst it’s difficult to summarise the plot in a few sentences, the story is set in 1960s Louisiana and based around a group of young kids who find a man in a barn who they believe to be Jesus. Hopefully, we’ll see the show back on the West End soon enough so we won’t ruin whether he actually is or not. Fun fact – Boyzone’s 1998 hit single No Matter What is actually taken from Whistle Down the Wind. Surely that’s a good enough reason to bring it back? No, you’re right. Probably not.

Never Say Never

A number of West End hits have recently returned to their rightful home including Blues Brothers, Sister Act and Chicago. If there’s enough demand and clamour for a classic to come back then there’s little doubt that those at the top would strongly consider the prospect. So, what are you waiting for? Start an online petition or whatever it is that you guys do these days.

The editorial unit