Shows rumoured to come to the West End in 2021

It’s safe to say that 2020 has not been the greatest year for theatre. As shows like Six prepare to open with social distancing, we wanted to get excited about the productions that are rumoured to be coming to the West End in 2021.

The Boy in the Dress

Pre-pandemic, director Gregory Doran had confirmed that the Royal Shakespeare Company’s critically-acclaimed production of The Boy in the Dress was going to transfer to London’s Savoy Theatre in 2021. A cast recording of Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers’ hit-heavy score was also confirmed, to be released alongside the West End run. The adaptation of David Walliams best-selling children’s book is likely to delay now until 2022, as the Savoy will need to accommodate the rescheduled dates of Sunday in the Park with George. 

Mean Girls

The classic high-school movie Mean Girls, starring Lindsay Lohan and Rachel McAddams, must be one of the most quotable films of the 2000s. The combination of hilarious characters and zany plot made it perfect for a musical adaptation. Written by Saturday Night Live heavyweight Tina Fey, with music by Jeff Richmond and lyrics by Nell Benjamin, rumours of a West End transfer have been flying ever since it’s 2017 debut, with latest news being that it would come to London in Spring 2021. Whilst no official transfer has been confirmed, with songs like ‘Revenge Party’, ‘Meet The Plastics’, and ‘Apex Predator’, it’s clear why the show has been running on Broadway for nearly two years, and shows no sign of stopping.

Ain’t Too Proud

Following in the footsteps of Jersey Boys and Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, Ain’t Too Proud will be the newest jukebox musical to hit the West End. The all-star creative team is expected to transfer with the show, including Tony Award winning Choreographer Sergio Trujillo, and two‑time Tony Award® winning director Des McAnuff, as well as writer Dominique Morisseau. This 11-times Tony nominated production charts the story of The Temptations’ from humble beginnings on the streets of Detroit, to rock & roll icons in a politically turbulent era of US history. Ain’t Too Proud has been a huge hit on Broadway, and so will almost certainly replicate that success when it comes to London.

Hadestown

Before lockdown, it was rumoured that the producers of Hadestown were looking for a theatre to bring the production back to London. Before it’s 8 Tony Award wins, it played a critically-acclaimed sold out run at the at the National Theatre. Despite the principle cast travelling with the production to Broadway, new casting is expected for the West End run, as the current cast will still be needed at the Walter Kerr Theatre, where the show has been playing to full houses since it opened in 2019.

Beetlejuice

Say the name three times and it might appear in London! Based on the Academy Award winning movie from eccentric Director Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton, Beetlejuice was setting a new box office record in takings every week in the first few months of 2020. In very unusual circumstances, Beetlejuice will not be able to return to the Winter Garden, it’s pre-COVID home, as that theatre is to host the revival of The Music Man starring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster. The producers have confirmed that the show will tour the US when everything gets back to normal, but will it come to the West End first? We certainly hope so!