Five Shows That Need A West End Comeback

Posted on Oct 20, 2014 | By Hay Brunsdon (Updated on Sep 18, 2025)

The West End is no stranger to revivals, but some shows truly deserve another run in the spotlight. From sweeping romances to groundbreaking contemporary hits and feel-good jukebox favourites, these productions left lasting impressions on audiences. Here are five musicals we’d love to see return to London stages.

Miss Saigon

Few shows can match the emotional scale of Miss Saigon. Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil’s tragic love story between Kim and Chris stunned audiences with its soaring score and unforgettable staging. From “The Heat Is On in Saigon” to “The American Dream,” the show balances spectacle with gut-wrenching intimacy. Its themes of love, sacrifice, and survival still resonate today. After its original blockbuster run and acclaimed 2014 revival, surely it’s time for this powerhouse of a musical to return once again.

Once

Understated but deeply moving, Once proved you don’t need flashy effects to make theatre unforgettable. Set in Dublin, the show follows a busker and a Czech pianist whose connection changes both their lives. With actors playing their own instruments onstage, music and story blend seamlessly. The haunting ballad “Falling Slowly” won an Academy Award and remains a highlight of the show. Simple, tender, and devastatingly beautiful, Once left a quiet but lasting mark — a revival would be more than welcome.

Jersey Boys

Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons rose from humble beginnings to global stardom, and their journey powered one of the West End’s most addictive shows. Jersey Boys combined irresistible music with sharp storytelling, from “Sherry” and “Big Girls Don’t Cry” to the anthemic “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” Its documentary-style narration gave the show grit and authenticity, making it stand out from typical jukebox musicals. Funny, stylish, and full of energy, it’s a feel-good hit that fans would flock back to.

In the Heights

Before Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda brought In the Heights to life — a vibrant story of community and belonging set in Washington Heights, New York. Blending salsa, hip hop, and heartfelt ballads, the show captured the rhythms of a neighbourhood caught between tradition and change. Songs like “96,000” and “Breathe” pulse with infectious energy while anchoring deeply personal stories. Warm, joyful, and celebratory, In the Heights is a reminder of Miranda’s genius — and deserves a return to London’s stages.

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

Carole King’s music defined a generation, and Beautiful brought her story to the stage with warmth and authenticity. From her teenage years writing hits for others to her rise as a superstar in her own right, the show traces both the struggles and triumphs of her career. Packed with classics like “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” it’s both a moving biography and an irresistible celebration of her songs. Katie Brayben broaugh the role to life 10 years ago in the show, and she'll be returning to London soon in the role of the Baker's Wife in Into The Woods.