Top new musicals to see in 2021

With vaccines and faster Covid tests now a go-go, we expect some sort of normality to return at some point soon. This means a bumper crop of wonderful stage shows and the chance for audiences to witness brand new pieces set to become much-loved classics. With this in mind, we round-up some of the new musicals coming your way in the next few months…

Get Up, Stand Up!

Bob Marley is an iconic musical figure, so it'll be extra special to see his story come to life on stage, with stalwart performer Arinze Kene of Misty fame in the lead role. We're already excited and it doesn't even open until next year! Lyric Theatre, from October 2021

Bedknobs and Broomsticks

The Sherman Brothers certainly know how to craft an iconic tune – so we're very excited to see the eagerly anticipated stage version of the 1971 Disney film

UK and Ireland tour opens at Newcastle Theatre Royal on 14 August

Moulin Rouge!

It's an epic Broadway bonanza and already audiences in the UK are eager to get a slice of the bohemian knees-up. The soundtrack is enough to keep us sated for now, but it won't be long before we're clamouring for sequined excess and larger-than-life numbers. The show will head into the Piccadilly Theatre post-Pretty Woman. Piccadilly Theatre, from November 2021

Cinderella

A new Andrew Lloyd Webber musical is always a momentous occasion, and with the performance calibre of Carrie Hope Fletcher leading the cast (which also features Victoria Hamilton-Barritt and newcomer Ivano Turco), this new take on the classic Cinderella story might well the perfect post-corona tonic. Emerald Fennell (Killing Eve) supplies the book. Gillian Lynne Theatre, from 2021

Frozen

The coolest musical of the lot! Frozen has already unveiled casting with the wonderful Stephanie McKeon and Samantha Barks playing the two sisters Anna and Elsa. A gargantuan film franchise, we expect similar results when the live version finally lands in the West End. Theatre Royal Drury Lane

The Drifters Girl

If you don't think you know the music of The Drifters, then we can guarantee that you know the music of The Drifters, with hits including "Under the Boardwalk" and "Save the Last Dance for Me". West End legend Beverley Knight stars in this brand new show, with book by Ed Curtis and direction by Jonathan Church. Newcastle and the West End in autumn 2021

My Best Friend's Wedding

Alexandra Burke heads up a brand new musical based on the film about a couple of late-20-somethings who promise to marry each other if they don't find anyone else. It features a shedload of Burt Bacharach and Hal David songs so will probably be a cockle-warming experience with lots of romance to boot. Tour opens at Manchester Palace Theatre on 20 September 2021

The Magician's Elephant

The RSC's big new musical has revealed 2021 dates after being postponed. Kate DiCamillo best-selling book, about a magical flying mammal, looks set to be the sort of wondrous fun that will captivate audiences this festive season. Thursday 14 October 2021 to Saturday 1 January 2022

Something Rotten!

Welcome to the Renaissance – 2021 is, fingers crossed, set to be a rebirth of the theatre industry once vaccines have been rolled out and social distancing can be eased, and that means a chance to finally witness the Broadway smash Something Rotten!. UK premiere at Birmingham Rep, 7 to 30 October 2021

The Osmonds

The music of the iconic family will be hitting the open road for the first time in this brand spanking new musical – promising a riveting story and some instantly recognisable tunes. Who's up for "Having a Party"? UK tour commences in Wimbledon on 26 August

Other important musicals can also be found at the annual MTFestUK – which will show off a variety of new musicals being workshopped for future productions. While technically not brand new – the imminent revamped return of Back to the Future should also be cause for celebration. There are also postponed shows we hope will be staged in 2021 – What's New Pussycat?, Monsoon Wedding and Identical among them.