What Does It Take To Make A Hit Jukebox Musical?
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| By
Tony Peters
(Updated on Sep 26, 2025)
So the saying goes, “If you can remember the Sixties, you weren’t really there”. But it’s lucky some people remember the decade when many aspects of cultural life underwent a seismic shift otherwise there would probably be a few West End theatres dark at the moment.
Before the decade was over, its cultural impact was lighting up the stage. The 1968 musical Hair became a landmark moment in British Theatre, arriving immediately after the abolition of censorship and featuring nudity and swearing.
While Andrew Lloyd Webber later mined the Sixties’ political scandals for Stephen Ward, the era was truly defined by its music. Classic tracks for the decade continue to find new life in stage shows, and for those of us who lived through these magical moments, many of these hits never went away.
But here’s the question: can a collection of chart-toppers alone make a successful show? If you’re thinking the answer isn’t so simple, you’re on the right track.
MJ The Musical is packed with the King of Pop’s greatest hits, but what keeps audiences hooked is the way it explores his creative process and the overwhelming pressure that came with the global fame. This multi-award-winning musical has won four Tony Awards for Best Actor, Best Choreography, Best Lighting Design and Best Sound Design and continues to wow audiences in the Prince Edward Theatre.
I’m Every Woman – The Chaka Khan Musical at the Peacock Theatre is another example of how an emotionally charged story is expertly woven together to show her five-decade-long solo career, with the band Rufus behind the raw voice and passion coming from the streets of Chicago.
Still touring around the UK, Sunny Afternoon is still leaving audiences in awe of the band's passionate career. Perfectly highlighting the struggles and energy from one of Britain’s most iconic sounds by playing through their classical career with hits like You Really Got Me, Lola and All Day and All of the Night. That's why a decade later it is still on everyone's lips while playing in the Alexandra Palace Theatre.
While many productions have taken inspiration from the Sisities with varying success, the musical impact is undeniable, with the next generation enjoying plenty of musicals with stage presence and strong soundtracks. Because when it comes to a jukebox musical, it’s never about the songs; it’s about the story behind them.