LONDON

ENTERTAINMENTLET IT BEThis ‘theatrical concert’charts the rise of Britishpop legends The Beatles,from the relative obscurityof Liverpool’s CavernClub to internationalsuperstardom. Amongmore than 20 of the FabFour’s greatest hits youcan hear Hard Day’s Nightand Yesterday. Mon, Wed-Fri 19.30; Sat 15.00; Sun15.00 & 19.00.Savoy Theatre, SavoyCourt, Strand, WC2R 0ET. 08448 717 687. letitbelondon.comË t Charing Cross.Key 41.THE LION KINGA wonderful stageadaptation of the Disneyfilm with innovativecostumes and cleverpuppetry. The evil Scarsets out to kill lion princeSimba and claim thethrone. Tunes include theCircle Of Life and Can YouFeel The Love Tonight.Tues-Sat 19.30; Wed,Sat & Sun 14.30.Lyceum Theatre,21 Wellington Street,WC2E 7RQ. 08448 713 000. thelionking.co.ukË Covent Garden. Key 24.MAMMA MIA!The ABBA musical has anew home. A tribute to themusic of the Swedish poplegends, it has a feel-goodstory that centres aroundwedding day revelations ona Greek island. Hit songsinclude Dancing Queen,The Winner Takes It All andGimme! Gimme! Gimme!Mon-Sat 19.45; Thurs& Sat 15.00.Novello Theatre, Aldwych,WC2B 4LD. 020 78127498. mamma-mia.comË Covent Garden. Key 30.MATILDA THEMUSICALRoald Dahl’s comic kids’book is brought to lifein an excellent musicalstage version by DennisKelly and Tim Minchin. It’sabout a gifted five-yearoldgirl whose sadisticheadmistress and ignorantfamily have failed torealise that she’s actuallya fledgling genius. Tues19.00; Wed-Sat 19.30;Wed & Sat 14.30;Sun 15.00.Cambridge Theatre,Seven Dials, WC2H 9HU. 08444 124 652. matildathemusical.comË Covent Garden. Key 8.MERRILY WEROLL ALONGStephen Sondheim’smusical based on anuplifting George Furthstory about friendship.Songs include Good ThingGoing, Not A Day GoesBy and Old Friends. ActorMaria Friedman makes herdirectoral debut. Times vary.Harold Pinter Theatre,Panton Street, SW1Y 4DN. 08448 717 622. atgtickets.comË Piccadilly Circus. Key 18.MONTY PYTHON’SSPAMALOTA rip-roaring musical byEric Idle, inspired by histeam’s 1975 comedy filmMonty Python And TheHoly Grail. Times vary.Playhouse Theatre,Northumberland Avenue,WC2N 5DE. 08448 717627. atgtickets.comË t Charing Cross,Ë Embankment. Key 36.ONCEAn unexpected romanceblossoms between an Irishbusker and a young Czechmother united by their loveof music. This new musicalis based on the 2006 film,written by Ireland’s EndaWalsh, which features theOscar-winning song FallingSlowly. Times vary.Phoenix Theatre,110 Charing Cross Road,WC2H 0JP. 08448 717629. atgtickets.comË Tottenham Court Road.Key 34.THE PHANTOMOF THE OPERAA masked man hauntingthe Paris Opera HouseWalking With Dinosaurs1-6 May The monster arena spectacular is back intown this month and kids will love it. Quite literallyit’s a rip-roaring journey through 200-million-yearsof pre-history, from the Cretaceous period to thecatastrophic event that caused the dinosaurs’extinction. Based on the popular BBC documentaryseries, an engaging commentary is provided by apalaeontologist character who explains the actionand provides a welcome educational element.Ingenious inflatable trees, foliage and flowers burstfrom the set to suggest the different eras, climates andenvironments, but it’s the creatures that are the stars.Some are of truly monsterous proportions with theBrachiosaurus, for instance, standing an awesome 36fttall. Realised with cutting-edge animatronic technologyand inventive puppetry, the snarling giants prowl thearena convincingly, causing gasps of nervous admirationfrom younger audience members as they near.Thankfully, the beasts are all securely contained, sothere’s no actual danger of being nibbled, yet surelyno other production can boast a show with so muchbite. Review by David G. TaylorWalking With Dinosaurs, p. 80.falls for a beautiful sopranosinger. Songs include TheMusic Of The Night andAll I Ask Of You. Mon-Sat19.30; Thurs & Sat 14.30.Her Majesty’s Theatre,57 Haymarket, SW1Y 4QL. 08444 122 707. thephantomoftheopera.com Ë Piccadilly Circus.Key 19.ROALD DAHL’SCHARLIE AND THECHOCOLATE FACTORYFrom 18 May A newmusical version of Dahl’stale about a nice younglad and an eccentricconfectioner called WillyWonka. Times vary.Theatre Royal Drury Lane,Catherine Street, WC2B5JF. 08448 718 810. charlieandthechocolatefactory.comË Covent Garden. Key 45.ROCK OF AGESAn American jukeboxmusical based around1980s rock anthems. Hitsongs include The FinalCountdown, Wanted Deador Alive, Here I Go Again,Can’t Fight This FeelingDINOSAURS IMAGE © AVID SCHEINMANN76 | visitlondon.com|LONDON PLANNER|May 2013