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The top 10 selling shows on WhatsOnStage in August

See what made our top 10 highest selling list for August

© Matt Crockett

10. Kinky Boots

Adelphi Theatre

Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein's musical announced major cast changes earlier this year with Simon-Anthony Rhoden taking over from WhatsOnStage and Olivier Award-winner Matt Henry as Lola and Verity Rushworth joining as Lauren.

See the full cast announcement here.


© Darren Bell

9. The Comedy About A Bank Robbery

Criterion Theatre

Mischief Theatre have conquered both sides of the Atlantic with their farcical shows, including The Play That Goes Wrong and Peter Pan Goes Wrong. The Comedy About A Bank Robbery is no different, seeing a group of foolish layabouts try and rob an ill-equipped bank.

You can read our five star review of the show here, from when it debuted last April.


© David Jensen

8. Jesus Christ Superstar

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

The WhatsOnStage Award-winning production returns for more in its second year at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Tyrone Huntley continues in the role of Judas, alongside Declan Bennett in the titular role. The musical, which has music from Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, is directed by Timothy Sheader.

You can see some of the stunning production photos from the show here.


© Johan Persson

7. An American in Paris

Dominion Theatre

WhatsOnStage readers couldn't get enough of Christopher Wheeldon's delightful production of this dance show with music by George and Ira Gershwin. It features delicious designs by Bob Crowley and a superb cast lead by Leanne Cope and Ashley Day.

Read our five star review of An American in Paris.


Kelsey Grammer will lead the cast
Kelsey Grammer will lead the cast

6. Big Fish The Musical

The Other Palace

The exciting news broke last month that Emmy and Tony Award-winning Kelsey Grammer would lead the cast in Big Fish the Musical, based on the famous Tim Burton film adaptation of the Daniel Wallace book.

The brand new musical is directed by Nigel Harman and is set to a score by Tony nominee Andrew Lippa (The Addams Family, The Wild Party), with a new book by John August (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory).


© Johan Persson

5. The Ferryman

Gielgud Theatre

Jez Butterworth's new play has the record for being the fastest selling show in Royal Court history when it debuted earlier this year. Coupled with the raft of positive reviews, the show has hit the West End with similar energy, already extending booking through to January 2018.

See our five star review of The Ferryman here.


© Matt Crockett

4. Wicked

Apollo Victoria Theatre

Wicked has become a West End classic, the firmest fixture at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in recent memory. The revisionist musical based on The Wizard of Oz has birthed classic showtunes including "Defying Gravity", "Popular" and "For Good". With a new cast announced only two weeks ago, this trend is guaranteed to continue when some new blood steps into the magical land of Oz.

See photos of the new cast of Wicked here.


© Manuel Harlan

3. Half a Sixpence

Noël Coward Theatre

Charlie Stemp and Devon-Elise Johnson star as Arthur Kipps and Ann Pornick in the updated version of the musical featuring new music and lyrics from Stiles and Drewe (Mary Poppins). With a new book by Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey, Mary Poppins), Half A Sixpence is based on the novel by HG Wells.


© Robert Workman

2. What the Ladybird Heard

Lyric Theatre

The summer holidays continue, and children's theatre shows have come to the West End in bigger numbers than ever. Highest selling among them is What the Ladybird Heard, written by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Lydia Monks. With bank robbers, barmy characters and bright colours, the show runs at the Lyric Theatre.

Read our interview with Lydia Monks here.


© Robert Day

1. The Exorcist

Phoenix Theatre

The Exorcist will receive its West End premiere later this year when it opens at the Phoenix Theatre. The show, which previously ran at the Birmingham Rep where it starred Adam Garcia, is directed by Sean Mathias (Waiting for Godot, No Man's Land) and adapted for the stage by John Pielmeier. Casting for the West End run is to be announced.

Based on a true story, the show is about a small girl possessed by demons and reduced to an animalistic state, and the attempts of local priest Father Damien to save her.

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