subject: How Billy Elliot The Musical And Other Shows Transform West End Into A Premier Destination Spot [print this page] In each country, there is a place where theatres and performances are aplenty. Most people would visit these places to check if theres a show they like. Broadway and West End seem to be an exception. These places are not mere centers for the performing arts, they have become a destination on their own. All thanks to the likes of great shows like Billy Elliot the Musical.
Billy Elliots plot is not exactly unique in the sense that you have seen many movies and even theatre plays that use almost the same storyline. A fairytale story about a boy who wishes to fulfil his dreams in his own terms is nothing out of the ordinary. But what makes this musical different is that the stage play was adapted in such a way where the audience can relate to the main characters of the play. After watching the musical, you will end up liking the character all the more. It could also be because Billy Elliot the movie already has the right ingredients to make for a wonderful musical. All it needed was the addition of the accompanying music and the right direction.
The hype that musicals like this create resonates to the edges of the European continent, bringing with it the influx of tourists who wanted to see a good show. And they will not go home disappointed. Because after seeing one musical, they will end up watching two or three more while they are in London. So after watching Billy Elliot, they will follow it through by catching a glimpse of the Lion King London performance and taking a peek at The Mousetrap, a long running play in the West End. Whats even better is that after they have seen the kind of performance that the theatres here can offer, they are eager to return sometime in the future to catch another musical. The positive feedback spreads like wildfire through word of mouth. You can even see some foreigners who dont really speak straight English but would love to watch the musicals anyway. It only goes to show that language is not a barrier if the performance is really great. Seeing the musical up close and getting to see the actors singing the songs right before their very eyes is enough for them.
Perhaps the popularity of London musicals can also be attributed to the actors themselves. The Phantom of the Opera had for many years a very beautiful chanteuse in Sarah Brightman while Evita and Cats were bannered by a great performer in Elaine Paige. Of course the musical genius of such great composers like Andrew Lloyd Webber will never be left out.
On occasions, Londons West End become the destination of choice for some celebrities who want to watch theatre productions but could not afford to be mobbed by paparazzi in New Yorks Broadway. And when there is a celebrity, people will come right after. In one performance of the Jersey Boys, Kylie Minogue was seen watching with the crowd. It was even reported that she visited the cast and crew backstage after the show to congratulate them.
West End has become an international destination not just because of the musicals and theatre plays that are regularly being shown here. In fact, this part of London still has a lot to offer, from restaurants to luxurious shops. But because of the musicals and the amount of people they bring to the West End, the other businesses within the area become the indirect beneficiary. You can just imagine if the most popular musicals are all playing on the same time slot. That would mean lots of potential customers for the other establishments in London.
When you look at Billy Elliot the Musical, The Mousetrap and the Lion King London performance, you are not only looking at three of the most successful shows in the West End. These plays also serve as renewable sources of income that keeps the London businesses livelier than ever. The challenge for the producers now is to make sure that every performance is better than the previous one, so that their clientele will continue to go back to West End to watch the shows.
