The Future Of Musical Theatre: 20 More Musicals To Be Excited About

by Daz Gale

Back in June I pulled together 25 new musicals that should be on everyone’s radar. It was heartwarming to see so many people take to these new musicals and actively seek them out with some of them going on to complete successful runs (Look out for an update on two of the musicals from the first post at the end of this one). However, theatre never rests and there are a whole host of incredible new musicals ready to grab the chance to blow you all away. As with the last one, this will be a mix of larger and smaller shows, all in different stages of development – from workshops to fringe to West End theatres, you’ll find them all here.

Here are 20 more new musicals:

42 BALLOONS

Opening at The Lowry, Salford 18th April – 19th May 2024

Having been in development since 2020, this new musical hit the West End for four semi-staged concert performances with many people including myself being blown away by the quality of it. It now gets its fully staged premiere in 2024 with a season at The Lowry in Salford. Written by Jack Godfrey, this musical is inspired by the highly improbable true story of Larry Walters who flew sixteen thousand feet above Los Angeles in a chair using balloons. I won’t spoil it by revealing how many. Next years run will see Charlie McCullagh and Evelyn Hoskins reprise their roles from the 2022 concerts.

Tickets from https://42balloons.com/

I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY: THE STOCK AITKEN WATERMAN MUSICAL

On tour from 2nd November

In my imagination there is no hesitation – we are long overdue a Kylie Minogue musical. I’m dreaming. While this might not be a full Kylie musical, she does appear in it in more ways than one. Featuring the iconic catalogue of music from the legendary Stock Aitken Waterman including the title number from Kylie herself, she will digitally appear in the musical. Written by Debbie Isitt, there is a lot of hype over this musical after their brilliant Mamma Mia-esque trailer debuted. Its extensive UK tour kicks off on 2nd November at Manchester Opera House and continues until May 2024.

Full dates and tickets from www.soluckymusical.com

TO WONG FOO

Opening at the Hope Mill Theatre on 21st October

The 1995 ground-breaking film gets a world premiere stage adaptation in Manchester with a musical written and directed by original film screenplay writer Douglas Carter Beane with music and lyrics by Lewis Flinn. Set in 90s New York, it tells the story of 3 Drag Queens who embark on a trip across America to attend the Drag Queen of the Year Finals in Hollywood. When their car breaks down, their lives, as well as those in the town, are turned upside down.

Tickets from https://hopemilltheatre.co.uk/

SEIZE THE CHEESE

Playing at New Wimbledon Theatre Studio 2nd – 11th November

This brand new musical is an uplifting comedy, loosely inspired by the world-famous cheese rolling in Gloucestershire. Referred to as anarchic and hilarious and being described as the English Book of Mormon.

Tickets available here

SHUCKED

Opening in the West End in 2024

After wowing audiences on Broadway since opening earlier this year, earning nine Tony Award nominations in the process, British audiences don’t have to wait much longer as the country musical is heading to the West End. It will open in a Delfont Mackintosh theatre though which one is anyone’s guess, with dates yet to be confirmed.

Keep an eye on https://shuckedmusical.com for more information

BATTERSEA BARDOT

Playing at New Wimbledon Theatre Studio 14th – 23rd September

This new one woman musical tells the wild, exciting and tragic true-life story of the forgotten star of Swinging London who found herself lost in a Hollywood nightmare.

Tickets available here

BHANGRA NATION – A NEW MUSICAL

Playing at Birmingham Rep 17th February – 16th March 2024

The UK premiere of this new musical about finding your true self is a pulsating and powerful story told with verve. From the international creative team put together by Mara Isaacs and Tom Kirdahy celebrates the traditions we inherit from yesterday and those we create for tomorrow.

Tickets from https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/whats-on/bhangra-nation-a-new-musical

KATHY AND STELLA SOLVE A MURDER

Playing in Bristol Old Vic 13th – 30th Sep/HOME Manchester 5th – 21st October

Fresh from a season at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the expanded version of this new musical from the Olivier award-winning producers of Fleabag heads to Bristol and Manchester for limited seasons. Starring Bronte Barbe and Rebekah Hinds, this big-hearted laugh-out-loud musical sees two true crime podcasters thrust into a thrilling whodunnit of their own.

Tickets from https://kathyandstella.com/

WHY AM I SO SINGLE

Concluding its workshop run 10th September

Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss’ new musical is about two perpetually single best friends who can’t figure out why they are so single and who are deciding what to write their next musical about. presented their new musical this month in a ticketed workshop. It has just concluded a ticketed workshop presentation run in London where audience response was exciting to say the least. I imagine it won’t be too long before we see this show again.

CAKE – THE MARIE ANTOINETTE PLAYLIST

Playing at the Lyric Theatre from 20th – 24th September

Having wowed audiences with its short UK tour earlier this year, this brand-new musical, come gig, come ballet heads to the West End for a few days allowing audiences the unique chance to see this show as it continues to expand and develop before finding its forever home. With a cast including Zizi Strallen and Renee Lamb and a creative team including Drew McOnie, Morgan Lloyd Malcomn and Jack McManus, there is plenty to be excited about with this show.

Tickets from http://thelyrictheatre.co.uk/

BRONCO BILLY

Playing at Charing Cross Theatre from 23rd January – 7th April 2024

The all-new Wild West musical makes its UK premiere early next year. Starring Cabaret favourite Emily Benjamin, this rollicking new comedy is based on the original Clint Eastwood motion picture and is about love, reinvention, family and living your dream.

Tickets from broncobillymusical.com

THE GOOD ENOUGH MUM’S CLUB

Touring the UK from 25th October

This new musical based on women’s stories has been produced, written, directed and performed by mums. It grew out of creator Emily Beecher’s experience with severe postnatal depression and postnatal psychosis. It kicks off in Birmingham on 25th October.

Dates and tickets from http://www.goodenoughmumsclub.com/book

TWO STRANGERS (CARRY A CAKE ACROSS NEW YORK)

Playing at Kiln Theatre 9th November – 23rd December

Olivier award winner Sam Tutty returns to the stage in this new musical by Jim Barne and Kit Buchanan, also starring Dujonna Gift. They play Dougal who meets Robin at the airport in New York as they both head to the same wedding. While they may not have an instant attraction, with the city at their feet, anything could happen.

Tickets from https://kilntheatre.com/

I’M EVERY WOMAN – THE CHAKA KHAN MUSICAL

Workshopping November 2023

The life and songs of the legendary Chaka Khan are being developed into a major new West End show, with Chaka endorsing the project. Depicting her life, the show will get a UK workshop in November with a pre-West End engagement planned for Autumn 2024.

For more information, keep an eye on http://www.imeverywomanmusical.com/

BLOODY ELLE - A GIG MUSICAL

Playing at the Lyric Theatre 27th – 30th September

First seen in Manchester in 2021, this critically acclaimed show is loud, proud and unapologetically queer. It plays a few days at the Lyric Theatre alongside Declan Bennett’s Boy Out The City as part of Paul Taylor Mills ‘A Queer Season In The West End’. A one-woman, semi-autobiographical gig musical from Lauryn Redding, it features original music created live on stage.

Tickets from http://thelyrictheatre.co.uk/

FOR TONIGHT

Played the Adelphi Theatre on 5th September

Debuting a new musical is bold enough but to do that on a major West End stage for a one night only concert production is a whole other level of ambitious. That’s what For Tonight did earlier this month and if the idea was to get people excited about the show’s future, consider it a job well done. Inspired by true events, this musical incorporates traditional Welsh choral, indie-pop, folk and Romani style melodies and rhythms. No word yet on what is next for this exciting new show but I’m sure it won’t be long before it finds a future home.

Keep an eye on https://www.fortonightmusical.com/ for future news

REBECCA

Now playing at Charing Cross Theatre

Following 12 hugely successful foreign language productions, Rebecca finally gets its English language premiere in a new production in London with a translation by Christopher Hampton. Inspired by Daphne Du Maurier’s 1938 novel, this is a gripping thriller full of intrigue and surprises.

Tickets from http://www.charingcrosstheatre.co.uk/

TROMPE L’OEIL

Playing at The Other Palace Studio from 28th September – 15th October

Cabaret, musical theatre, politics, queer theatre and circus combine with the tromp l’oieil illusionary art form in this stunning new musical. With songs containing cryptic and hidden messages, pushing lyrical structure in ways that make the songs illusionary, it is written by Henry Biggs and directed by Blair Anderson.

Tickets from theotherpalace.co.uk

BOYBI

Playing at The Turbine Theatre from 26th – 30th September

After premiering to a sell-out audience at Clapham Fringe last year, it is back for one week only as this exhilarating new musical exploring the self-discovery journey and adversity of growing up bisexual heads to the Turbine Theatre in Battersea.

Tickets from https://www.theturbinetheatre.com/whats-on/boybi

BILLIE THE KID

Playing at Vaudeville Theatre on 13th & 20th November

This new British musical gets a West End premiere in a semi-staged production for two nights only in November. With music and lyrics by Gez Mercer, book by Conway McDermott and Gez Mercer, directed by Kerry Kyriacos Michael, this is the first chance for audiences to see something unlike anything else you may have seen or heard before.

Tickets from http://www.billiethekidmusical.com/

It is also worth checking out MUSICAL BITES at The Other Palace.

In partnership with Mercury Musical Developments, this tasting menu of exciting musicals in development is served at 1.30pm every other Thursday.

Why not spend your lunch hour watching a reading of something brand new for a script-in-hand 45 minute excerpt of the show and an opportunity to provide feedback to the writers.

Upcoming shows:

14th September – Candor

28th September – Flip

12th October – The Forty Elephants

26th October – Chosen

9th November – Bette and Joan and Baby Jane

23rd November – Ukulele Days

All tickets cost £5 from https://theotherpalace.co.uk/musical-bites/

Since Junes post, a couple of the musicals mentioned had exciting updates so here’s the latest on those:

KIN – A NEW MUSICAL

A short London run in King’s Cross was announced… and has sold out!

Keep an eye on https://www.kinthemusical.com/ for tickets and future plans.

IN CLAY: A NEW MUSICAL

Following its one night only concert production at The Other Palace, a full London run has been announced for 2024 at Upstairs at the Gatehouse from 13th March – 7th April.

Tickets from https://upstairsatthegatehouse.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173647539/events/428611011

There you have it! 20 more brand new musicals coming soon to hopefully blow us all away. With some of the musicals from the first post already wowing audiences (including incredible feedback for The Little Big Things) it’s exciting to see what the reaction to these 20 will be.

I hope to do these posts quarterly so to get a new musical on my radar to be included, send me an email or a message on social media.

See you at the theatre!