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The top 10 selling shows on WhatsOnStage in October

See which shows proved most popular for WhatsOnStage audiences last month

Ben Hewis

Ben Hewis

| London |

13 November 2017

Matthew Croke and Trevor Dion Nicholas in Aladdin
Matthew Croke and Trevor Dion Nicholas in Aladdin
© Disney

10. Disney's Aladdin

Prince Edward Theatre

Matthew Croke and Trevor Dion Nicholas make for a magical pair in the stage adaptation of the Disney classic. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Aladdin sees its titular vagabond whisked away for a whole new world of adventure. With the WhatsOnStage review basically calling this an Arabian Night to remember, it's no wonder that the show has soared into our top ten shows of the month.

See the newest casting announcement for Aladdin here


The Ferryman
The Ferryman
© Johan Persson

9. The Ferryman

Gielgud Theatre

Jez Butterworth's newest play stormed into the West End after a sell-out production at the Royal Court earlier this year, in a show directed by the award-winning Sam Mendes. The show had a cast changeover last month, with William Houston taking on the lead part of Quinn Carney, the patriach and leader of the Carney family, beset by woes both internal and external.

See the full new cast announcement here


Natalie Dormer and David Oakes in Venus in Fur
Natalie Dormer and David Oakes in Venus in Fur
© Tristram Kenton

8. Venus In Fur

Theatre Royal Haymarket

Game of Thrones star Natalie Dormer returns to the stage in this steamy revival of David Ives' Broadway hit about an actress who will go to great lengths to get a part. Directed by Patrick Marber.

Watch our video interview with Dormer and co-star David Oakes


Declan Egan, Michael Watson, Simon Bailey and Lewis Griffiths
Declan Egan, Michael Watson, Simon Bailey and Lewis Griffiths
© Matt Martin

7. Jersey Boys

UK Tour

WhatsOnStage readers were beggin' for tickets to the UK tour of Jersey Boys when we announced the new cast that will be walking like a man around the UK. Is there a better way to show someone special you love them than a ticket to see the other fab four in action?

Read our casting announcement


Julian Clary and Elaine Paige
Julian Clary and Elaine Paige

6. Dick Whittington

London Palladium

Halloween has passed so it's apparently fine to use the C word now. Yes Christmas is mere weeks around the corner and our coverage of all things festive is hotting up – including the return of pantomime to the Palladium. This year you can see theatre stars Emma Williams and Charlie Stemp line up alongside stage legends Elaine Paige, Julian Clary and Nigel Havers… oh yes you can!

Check out this first look at Elaine Paige and cast of Dick Whittington


42nd Street
42nd Street

5. 42nd Street

Theatre Royal Drury Lane

The West End revival of Michael Stewart, Mark Bramble, Al Dubin and Harry Warren's toe-tapping musical continues to be a hot ticket on WhatsOnStage. With a cast change imminent, this may be your last chance to see Sheena Easton and co doing their thing.

Watch our timelapse video from the open auditions for 42nd Street


4. The Birthday Party

Harold Pinter Theatre

Just look at that cast. Zoe Wanamaker, Toby Jones, Pearl Mackie, Stephen Mangan… the list goes on. In addition, Ian Rickson's production of Pinter's second full-length play is being staged on its 60th anniversary in the theatre named after the playwright. It'd be rude not to buy tickets for this one.

Read our announcement article


Sophie Evans as Glinda in Wicked
Sophie Evans as Glinda in Wicked
© Matt Crockett

3. Wicked

Apollo Victoria

WhatsOnStage readers clearly got into the Halloween spirit as sales of tickets for Stephen Schwartz's musical defied gravity last month. It's been an exciting few months for the popular musical with a new cast and UK tour announced.

Watch our video with the new cast of Wicked


Suranne Jones and Jason Watkins
Suranne Jones and Jason Watkins
© Dan Wooller

2. Frozen

Theatre Royal Haymarket

No, this is not Michael Grandage's Disney stage adaptation, let it go. This is Bryony Lavery's Tony-nominated piece about a mother whose child goes missing. The brilliant cast features Suranne Jones (Doctor Foster), Jason Watkins (Line of Duty) and Nina Sosanya (W1A).

Read our announcement article


Young Frankenstein
Young Frankenstein
© Manuel Harlan

1. Young Frankenstein

Garrick Theatre

The reviews are out and it's official; Hadley Fraser and the cast of Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein have created a monster… hit! In his write-up for WhatsOnStage, Alun Hood called it 'the funniest West End musical since The Producers', do you need any more convincing than that?

Read our review of Young Frankenstein

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