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Grease is the word: the leading roles were recruited from an ITV talent show

Award winning musical: The Lion King features songs by Sir Elton John

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• The big West End shows reviewed
• Great Christmas Shows

A hit must-see musical makes the perfect festive family outing - or buy some tickets as a gift.

Grease
With the leading roles recruited from an ITV talent show, this is another show where we all know the story - and you will be humming those memorable showstoppers such as Summer Nights long after you have left the theatre. Seats are limited over the Christmas period.
Piccadilly Theatre, Denman Street, W1 (0844 412 6666; www.greasethemusical.co.uk). £20-£55.
Book tickets here

Hairspray
Set in Baltimore in 1962, where Tracy Turnblad's dream is to dance, this romantic musical stars Michael Ball (who plays the mother) and Mel Smith (the father). Already a winner of eight Tony awards.
Shaftesbury Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, WC2 (020 7379 5399, www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk). £20-£60.
Book tickets here

The Lion King
This award-winning musical show based on Disney's much-loved animation is brought alive on stage with masks, puppets and spectacular costumes as well as songs by Sir Elton John.
Lyceum Theatre, Wellington Street, WC2 (0870 243 9000; www.lionking.co.uk). £20-£52.50.
Book tickets here

Billy Elliot the Musical
In case you haven't seen the film, this musical is set against the backdrop of the Miners' Strike and is the story of working-class boy Billy's struggle against prejudice as he tries to get into the Royal Ballet School.
Victoria Palace Theatre, Victoria Street, SW1 (0870 895 5577, www.victoriapalacetheatre.co.uk). £17.50-£60.
Book tickets here

Disney's High School Musical: The Ice Tour
Young fans can't get enough of the cult hit HSM, and this show - a fusion of dance and hit songs including We're All In This Together -based on the original Emmy Award-winning Disney Channel movie and its sequel, High School Musical 2, will be the perfect treat.
O2 Arena, Drawdock Road, Greenwich, SE10 (0871 984 0002; www.theO2.co.uk). 26-30 Dec. £20.50-£45.
Book tickets here

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic based on the biblical story.
Adelphi Theatre, Maiden Lane, WC2. (0870 895 5598, www.josephthemusical.com). 0870 890 0149 for last-minute tickets. £15-£49.50.
Book tickets here

Mary Poppins
It doesn't take a spoonful of sugar to make this show go down. Family nights at 7pm every Tuesday - for every adult ticket purchased two children go half-price. It closes on 12 Jan - so book now.
Prince Edward Theatre, Old Compton Street, W1 (0870 850 9191, www.marypoppinsthemusical.com). £15-£59.
Book tickets here

Dirty Dancing
The stage adaptation of the beloved Eighties film. It's the story of young Frances Houseman who falls in love with a dance teacher during her summer holiday.
Aldwych Theatre, The Aldwych, WC2 (0870 400 0805; www.londontheatre boxoffice.net). Tickets limited over Christmas. £25-£60.
Book tickets here

The Sound of Music
Connie Fisher is still wowing audiences with her performance as Maria. This fairytale musical is bursting with songs that you will instantly recognise. A family favourite.
London Palladium, Argyll Street, W1 (0870 890 1108, www.soundofmusiclondon.com). £25-£55.
Book tickets here

We Will Rock You
Written by Ben Elton, the show weaves the hits of Queen into a story taking place in the future when rock music is banned.
Dominion Theatre, Tottenham Court Road, W1 (0870 169 0116, www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk). £23.50-£55.

Wicked
The untold story of the Witches of Oz transports you to a fantasy world, telling the story of the friendship of two girls - one of whom is destined to become the Wicked Witch of the West.
Apollo Victoria, Wilton Road, SW1 (0870 400 0751, www.apollovictoria.co.uk). £15-£60.
Book tickets here

Lord of the Rings
The Theatre Royal has been transformed into Middle-Earth for this first stage adaptation of Tolkien's classic trilogy. With a cast of 50 actors and more than 500 costumes, there is no doubt this three-hour musical is massive - actors fly and appear on stilts 10ft high, and the spider puppet is enormous.
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Catherine Street, WC2 (0870 890 6002, www.lotr.com). £15-£60.
Book tickets here

 

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