Musicals in the West End Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Musicals in the West End - Essay typeBefore presenting any logical argument, it is inherent to carry out a practical check on the shows currently running in the West End theatres and those lined up for doing later in the year. According to the London Theatre Online by Darren Daglish, there be 23 musicals, 13 comedies, and 11 dramas (or straight plays if you like) currently running. Mathematically, this translates to 48% musicals, 28% comedies, and 24% drama. At this point, one might conclude that there umpteen musicals shows than the other two classes. However, there is a list of shows lined up for production this year, including 9 musicals, 11 comedies, and 37 plays or 16% musicals, 20% comedies, and 64% dramas 2. Clearly, plays still dominate the theatre time if these statistics are anything to go by. While there may be repetition of some musicals such as truncheon Eliot, Blood Brothers, and tee shirt Boys, there is a relatively few reduce of repetition of plays. Actually, there are fifteen musicals repetitions with only six repeated plays. Thus, it would be inaccurate to say that the West End harbours to a greater extent musicals than other subsidised theatres. However, one must bear in mind that musicals have relatively colossal runs than plays. Thus, there may not necessarily be a 64% increase in the number of plays. Dominance of musicals Another interesting statistic is that nearly two-thirds of the straight plays currently showing or planned for production show in subsidized theatres, with only seven and two musicals. Therefore, there will be nigh 30 musicals, 17 comedies, and 16 straight plays in the commercial theatres. Certainly, this is not a show of morbid competition and dominance by musicals Essentially, the dominant nature of musicals in the West End theatres is a apprehension rather than a matter of fact. To prove this practically, try asking any average person about any showing musicals in the West End theatres and majority will me ntion Billy Elliot, Jersey Boys, and The Lion King 3. The person may also mention Cats and Les Mis, and probably Beauty and the Beast. Similarly, ask the lot to mention a few straight plays in the same theatres would probably respond by appellation just a single play and add the typical some Shakespeare. This highlights the enormous interest that the human beings has for musicals as compared to straight plays at all levels, with the exception of real theatrical devotee