Don’t get me wrong, I love a good screen-to-stage adaptation; that’s why I adore Sister Act with a slightly unhealthy passion. I understand that people like familiar stories, especially in times of economic horribleness: It’s comforting. But do we really need Ghost, Flashdance, and Shrek?

If the powers that be must give West End theatre space over to film adaptations rather than original writing, shouldn’t they at least make sure that the source material is actually good? Shrek, fair enough; we need a few more family-friendly options in the West End (that aren’t The Lion King), but Ghost and Flashdance? Really?

Knowing that the hive mind of Twitter could do better, I asked our ever-helpful followers to suggest films which, in their opinions, would make good West End musicals. Amazingly, only two people suggested Twilight, which was good because I’d rather personally fund a revival of Too Close To The Sun than publicly suggest that Twilight would make a decent stage show.

So, here are the best ideas for screen-to-stage adaptations that the citizens of Twitter could come up with. Thanks for all the suggestions.

1) Moulin Rouge

By far and away the most popular suggestion. It’s easy to see why the idea of Moulin Rouge live on stage appeals to so many people. Glittering sets, beautiful costumes, a boudoir in an elephant, a veritable mixtape of exceptional songs borrowed from the great and the good of the recording industry, AND a touching love story. What’s not to like?

But could it really work on stage? Probably. It’s about as theatrical as a film can get so adaptation isn’t really needed, it could just be copied and pasted straight onto a West End stage. I can see West End leading man Lee Mead starring as Christian with perhaps Kerry Ellis as Satine.

2) Labyrinth

Labyrinth is a surreal romp through an enchanted maze stuffed with wacky creatures (including David Bowie). Perfect West End musical material, all it would need is a few extra songs and it’d be pretty much good to go.

Imagine the set, prettier than Wicked’s, more complicated and mechanical than Sister Act’s, with zany (that word is criminally under-used) puppets popping out of every corner. Like Avenue Q but with fewer swears and considerably more involvement from the Jim Henson company.

Now for the interesting bit, who’d play Jareth? Who can we think of who could perform Magic Dance while wearing a vast codpiece? Someone who can sing, dance, and act AND knows his way around a puppet (not like that, pervert). I can think of only one man, Mr Daniel Boys. Steph Fearon from Over The Rainbow could do a decent Sarah, I reckon.

3) Clueless

Given the surprising runaway success of Legally Blonde in the West End, glittery girls’ films are suddenly viable choices for stage adaptation. When it comes to girly films (which 90% of chaps not-so-secretly like) that could be made into the sort of West End show that people would actually watch, there are only two choices. Mean Girls or Clueless.

The good people of Twitter seemed to prefer the idea of a Clueless musical, perhaps because the film’s 1990s soundtrack could easily translate into a collection of fun musical numbers. More likely it’s because it’s very easy to imagine Legally Blonde’s Sheridan Smith starring as Cher, Patina Miller as Dionne, and Spring Awakening’s Charlotte Wakefield as Tai.

4) Mulan

A bit of a wild card, this one. But the good people of the interweb have spoken and apparently they quite fancy seeing Disney’s Mulan live on stage. Apparently it’s something to do with the potential choreography for I’ll Make a Man Out of You.

I guess it can’t be denied that nobody does live family entertainment quite like Disney Theatrical and Mulan has Mushu, which is a great opportunity for a pretty special costume. Perhaps I’ve watched too much Glee this week, but I quite like the idea of Jenna Ushkowitz playing Mulan.

5) The Nightmare Before Christmas

Another opportunity for the clever chaps at Disney Theatrical to show the West End how to do spectacular family entertainment, The Nightmare Before Christmas has been begging for a West End adaptation for years. It would certainly make a nice change to see a West End theatre putting on a Christmas production starring Jack the Pumpkin King rather than ANOTHER production of A Christmas Carol.

Perhaps Paul Spicer as Jack? Since Avenue Q is closing (boo!) he might be available and he can be relied on for a decent performance. For Sally, I’m not sure; it’s hard to suggest casting for a lovelorn zombie. I hear Kerry Katona is looking for work, what do you reckon?

Interestingly, three of the five suggested musicals that made it to this list are very much family-friendly shows. That’s what the West End is crying out for, more musicals you can take the kids to without having to leave during the interval. The Lion King is, of course, a brilliant choice for families visiting London, but when Oliver! closes it’ll be pretty much the only choice.

Twitter has spoken, if we simply must have more screen-to-stage adaptations, make them family-friendly.

Tagged as: clueless, daniel boys, flashdance, ghost, labyrinth, moulin rouge, mulan, musicals, nightmare before christmas, paul spicer, shrek

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