Veteran lead Gaumond will play his final performance in the Queen-inspired musical on Saturday 18th February. Cast members continuing their roles through the show’s 10th anniversary include Over The Rainbow runner-up Lauren Samuels as Scaramouche and X-Factor contestant Brenda Edwards as corporation head Killer Queen.

We Will Rock You has also confirmed that Ben Elton and Arlene Phillips’ popular production will run throughout the London Olympics, maintaining its regular schedule during July and August.

Book your ticket and hotel package to see We Will Rock You with Show and Stay from £95pp.

A West End theatre break is pretty much the perfect Valentine’s present.

They’re glamorous and romantic without being showy or over-the-top, they’re not too expensive, but not so cheap that you look miserly when you give them and with so many shows to choose from, West End theatre breaks are suitable for pretty much anybody.

The only real challenge when booking your Valentine’s break is selecting the perfect show. Luckily, we’re here to help.

For romantics

If you’re booking a treat for one of life’s romantics, the West End has plenty of heart-warming love stories for you to choose from. How about one of the following?
Ghost The Musical
A moving screen-to-stage transfer of the hit 1990 movie boasting some of the most impressive special effects to be seen in the West End. Expect a faithful interpretation of the film with some amazing new songs thrown in.

Dreamboats and Petticoats
A toe-tapping jukebox musical about a pair of young musicians competing to win a songwriting competition and the affections of the same beautiful girl. Good, clean fun and plenty of hits from the 1950s and early 1960s.

Crazy for You
A stunning old-fashioned musical featuring Gershwin hits such as Embraceable You and I Got Rhythm. A charming throwback to the golden age of musicals.

For big kids

Everyone knows that growing up is massively over-rated. If you’re shopping for your very own Peter (or Patricia) Pan, try one of these shows.
Matilda The Musical
This critically-acclaimed musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s must-read children’s novel never fails to wow audiences. With music by Australian comic Tim Minchin and a truly sinister incarnation of Ms Trunchbull played by Bertie Carvel, Matilda The Musical is a great choice.

Shrek The Musical
Everyone’s favourite green-skinned, swamp-dwelling ogre has finally come to the West End. This side-splitting stage adaptation of the hit Dreamworks animated movie has a star-studded cast and a fun, lighthearted auditorium atmosphere, perfect if you don’t want to take Valentine’s TOO seriously.

The Lion King
The Lion King is less a musical, more a West End phenomenon. The show is packed with amazing performances of some of Disney’s most unforgettable songs and incredible costumes. The vibrant cast really bring this screen-to-stage adaptation to life.

For ‘blokey’ blokes

There are shows in the West End that are perfect for even the most hardened sports-watching, pub-loving blokes out there. If your partner doesn’t ‘do’ musicals then consider one of the following.
Rock of Ages
This hard-rocking jukebox musical features amazing performances of some of the biggest 1980s rock tracks ever recorded. The music of Journey, Whitesnake and Pet Benatar ensure that there’s not a sentimental showtune in sight. Quite simply, it’s the best musical in town for people who “don’t get musicals”.

War Horse
War Horse is absolutely guaranteed to amaze anyone who sees it. The combination of jaw-droppingly realistic horse puppets and a genuinely moving story make for truly compelling viewing. Make sure you see the play before the new Hollywood movie adaptation.

We Will Rock You
For an electric auditorium atmosphere and impassioned performances of iconic songs, it’s hard to beat Queen jukebox musical, We Will Rock You. The show is full of the rock legends’ greatest hits and features a wacky story by Ben Elton. If your chap is a Queen fan, there’s no better show in the world.

For ‘girly’ girls

If you’re shopping for a lady who you might consider to be a traditional ‘girly’ girl, a trip to see one of these glittering West End extravaganzas would make a great gift.
Legally Blonde the Musical
If your special lady is a fan of pink things, sparkly things, pretty things, fluffy things and/or tiny dogs, this is the show for you. With a love story, catchy songs and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, Legally Blonde the Musical is non-stop girly fun.

Mamma Mia!
It was inevitable really, wasn’t it? If you’ve ever overheard your lady singing Dancing Queen or Fernando in the shower, chances are that she’ll enjoy this sensational compilation of Abba hits. In fact, pretty much anyone will enjoy Mamma Mia!, it’s that good.

Chicago
This glamorous, sassy tale of murder and vaudeville is always a hit with West End audiences. Saucy costumes, a cast which invariably features a celebrity and singalong showtunes like All That Jazz combine to create one of Theatreland’s best shows.

The safe bets

If the person who you’re shopping for doesn’t fit into any of the above categories, try one of our ‘safe bet’ shows. These are the West End classics that everyone should see at least once in their lives .
Blood Brothers
There’s a very good reason to explain why Blood Brothers has been running in the West End for so long: It’s a gritty, powerful show with a wide appeal. It’s a tragic tale, but we all enjoy a sad story every once in a while.

Billy Elliot
A heart-warming story of a boy following his creams with a score by Elton John, what’s not to like about that? Billy Elliot has proved phenomenally popular wherever it opens, why not see what all the fuss is about?

Les Miserables
Ask someone to name a West End musical and chances are that Les Mis will come up. It’s a big, bold show that’s offers everything that a good West End show should.

Peter Andre, Stacey Solomon, the Sugababes and Mel C of Spice Girls fame will appear at selected West End theatres as part of BBC Children In Need’s POP Goes the Musical 2011 campaign.

The first celeb to appear will be X Factor’s Stacey Solomon, who will perform iconic ballad For Good after Wicked‘s 10 September matineé show at the Apollo Victoria. Solomon will be followed by ex-Spice Mel C, who will perform We Will Rock You‘s title track and We Are The Champions at the show’s 13 September show at the Dominion Theatre.

Peter Andre will take to the Piccadilly Theatre‘s stage after Ghost The Musical‘s 14 September performance to sing Unchained Melody. Finally, the Sugababes will perform after Mamma Mia‘s 15 September show at The Prince of Wales Theatre. The girl-group will sing Dancing Queen.

Children In Need raises money for disadvantaged kids in the UK. In 2010 they raised a staggering £40 million.

The Olivier-nominated actor will replace Ricardo Afonso in the dystopian jukebox musical from 8 August, 2011.

We Will Rock You features a huge selection of hits by rock legends Queen, a book by comedian Ben Elton and choreography by Arlene Phillips. The musical is set in a grim future where rampant globalisation has resulted in the death of real music, the total homogenisation of youth culture and the rise of Globalsoft: the totalitarian mega-corporation who rule the world.

Gaumond played Galileo in We Will Rock You‘s UK Tour and was recently nominated for Best Actor In A Musical in both the WhatsOnStage.com Awards and the Laurence Oliviers for his portrayal of Emmett Forrest in the West End production of Legally Blonde.

Ticket and hotel packages for both Legally Blonde and We Will Rock You are available from Show-and-Stay.co.uk

Sure, the story is flimsy and the sets make almost no sense, but when you go to see a show like We Will Rock You you’re not there for highbrow drama and artfully crafted sets; you’re there to clap your hands, stamp your feet and laugh your guts out. If you’re a serious drama fan looking for a Queen biopic then I’m afraid that We Will Rock You will disappoint you. However, if you’re someone who has enjoyed Bohemian Rhapsody at some point in their life, someone who loves a good laugh and good performances, then We Will Rock You should be on your To Watch list.

Even at a midweek matinee the atmosphere in the auditorium is that of a rock concert, not a West End show. People are visibly excited, they hum Queen songs while queueing at the bar and chat animatedly about whether or not their favourite Queen song will make an appearance. With 25 songs, the vast majority of Queen fans will not go home disappointed.

The songs are all performed well, with the only major changes being a touch of modernisation. References to the internet have been carefully woven through the score to bring the songs’ lyrics up to date, to no ill effect. The audience certainly didn’t seem to mind, never before have I heard an audience scream and applaud like that after every single number.

Despite the repeated digs at the X Factor pop music conveyor-belt, one of the show’s vocal stands-outs is Brenda Edwards, the 2005 X Factor contestant who plays Killer Queen. As the undisputed queen of Globalsoft (and therefore the world) Killer Queen could easily be played as a stern authoritarian with a unquenchable thirst for power. Instead, Edwards played her as a mentally unstable and strangely sexually aggressive diva complete with studded red leather outfits, plenty of pouting and vast quantities of lipstick. Sort of Ursula the Sea Witch meets Mamma Morton (another character Edwards has played in the West End).

Other stand-outs include Ian Carlyle’s Brit — a kilt-wearing, high-kicking freedom fighter; Kayleigh Stephenson’s sassy Scaramouche and, much to my surprise, Kevin Kennedy’s ageing hippy, Pop. Kennedy, best known as Corrie’s Curly Watts, kept the crowd chuckling with a steady stream of crude gags and hippy cliches whenever onstage, and although the performance was hardly a Shakespearean soliloquy, it was a distinctly guilty pleasure.

A special mention must also go to the costume department, who have created a look which can only be described as ‘dystopian Boy George’. By which I mean, of course, classic George, not community service George.

The ‘Bohemians’ (the good guys) sport plenty of coloured dreadlocks and peculiar hats, lots of leather and acres of tartan. These rebellious, punky costumes contrast nicely with the circuit board-printed suits of Killer Queen’s board members and the militaristic getup of her right hand, Khashoggi.

Snazzy costumes aside, We Will Rock You was once described as a show “beyond critical criteria” and that description is pretty spot-on. For all its flaws (and it has a few) it’s a fun show stuffed with singalong songs which audiences adore. The simple nature of the story and instantly recognisable songs make it a safe bet for almost any visitor to the West End and the talented cast and band are more than capable of delivering renditions of Queen’s greatest hits that are likely to keep the auditorium full for long while.

All in all, We Will Rock You is a brilliant show for musical-sceptics, visitors to the capital or theatre fans who aren’t adversed to indulging a guilty pleasure every now and again. The wacky tale of a quest for rock in a world of corporate techno-pop may not be a favourite of the critics, but neither was Les Mis and that’s still doing pretty well…

We Will Rock You theatre break packages are available from Show-and-Stay.co.uk from £93 per person.

We have a selection of top London shows and attractions we are sure your dearest Papa will love, so why not surprise him with a special treat? Avoid buying the same old socks and ties and instead spend some quality time exploring the very best of the city together — what could be better?

Here are several West End shows to put a smile on your Dad’s face:

Surprise you Dad this Father's Day

Jersey Boys

The story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, award-winning Jersey Boys is one of the most popular shows in the West End. Ideal for any man who loves the sounds of the 60s, Jersey Boys includes 13 of the band’s top ten hits including Beggin’ and Stay and is a joy to watch. Breathtaking and full of energy, Jersey Boys will take your Dad on a trip down memory lane and have him humming for days. With plenty of attitude and a whole lot of charm, this successful jukebox musical is a must-see.

A package including two third class tickets to see Jersey Boys and an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn Express Limehouse on Saturday 18th June costs £237.00.

Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theatre

We Will Rock You

We Will Rock You is a lively and upbeat jukebox musical which celebrates the famous work of sensational band Queen. If your Dad loves a bit of rock and thinks Freddie Mercury was the best thing since sliced bread, this is definitely the show for him. The story transports you to Planet Mall, a futuristic world where musical instruments are banned; 32 of Queen’s greatest hits including I Want to Break Free and Killer Queen are woven into the show, which was written by the extremely talented Ben Elton.

A package including two third class tickets to see We Will Rock You and an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn Express Park on Saturday 18th June costs £237.00.

We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre

Million Dollar Quartet

A lively and toe tapping musical, Million Dollar Quartet takes you back in time to the magical day in 1956 when something quite amazing happened —Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis made music together for the first time. A nostalgic look into days gone by, this show features over 20 classic hits including Blue Suede Shoes, I Walk The Line, Great Balls of Fire and Hound Dog and is packed with attitude. A great production to enjoy with your Dad, this is the perfect Father’s Day treat.

A package including two first class tickets to see Million Dollar Quartet and an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn Express Park on Saturday 18th June costs £255.00.

Million Dollar Quartet at the Noel Coward Theatre

Stomp

A wonderful mixture of music, dance and percussion, Stomp turns everyday household objects into musical instruments. A West End masterpiece, with more rhythm than Michael Flatly, Stomp has banged, stamped, scraped and brushed its way onto the big stage and is a joy to watch. If your Dad enjoys things that are a little unusual and highly entertaining, this is the perfect West End production for him.

A package including two second class tickets to see Stomp and an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn Express Limehouse on Saturday 18th June costs £203.00.

Stomp at the Ambassadors Theatre

War Horse

A sensational show, War Horse has revolutionised traditional theatre of late with the use of breathtaking puppetry. A visual feast that will blow your mind, the production has attracted many people from around the world and is truly sensational. The emotional and touching story sees a beloved horse named Joey sold to the cavalry and shipped to France during the First World War. This is a show your Dad won’t forget in a long time.

A package including two first class tickets to see War Horse and an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn Express Limehouse on Saturday 18th June costs £255.00.

War Horse at the New London Theatre

As well as a top London show, why not also book tickets to one of London’s top attractions to make your London adventure one to remember? Here are a couple of ideas of things he might like:

Jack the Ripper Tour

Venture into the East End of London and retrace the footsteps of one of the most infamous serial killers ever to have prowled the streets of London, Jack the Ripper. Inspect the murder sites, decipher the evidence and discuss his suspects along this nail-biting tour. The case remains unsolved to this day, so come along and investigate the evidence for yourself, but beware, this is not for the faint-hearted. If your Dad is a real life Inspector Morse this is definitely one for him, so as the shadows lengthen, embark on a fascinating adventure — if you dare.

A Jack the Ripper Tour can be added to your theatre break as an attraction from just £10.00 per person.

Jack the Ripper Tour

Household Cavalry Museum

Come along and discover The Household Cavalry Museum located in the heart of Horse Guards, Whitehall. A living museum, you can enjoy a fascinating insight into the work of the Household Cavalry formed in 1661 and understand the requirements of such a job. Understand the importance of the two senior regiments of the British Army, The Life Guards and the Blues and Royals and discover years of fascinating history. See troopers working with horses, learn all about the intensive training involved and check out the wonderful interactive displays.

The Household Cavalry Museum can be added to your theatre break as an attraction from just £7.00 per person.

Household Cavalry Museum

Gift Vouchers

With so much on offer, we really hope your Dad will be thrilled this Father’s Day, however, if your dearest Pop is really rather fussy and you have no idea what to buy for him, fear not.

Our Show and Stay gift vouchers are ideal as your Dad can decide for himself exactly what he wants to see and do in the capital. We will send the voucher to you via email, which means no postage and you won’t have to worry about buying him something he won’t like. The ideal way to say I love you, our gift vouchers really are a great alternative than simply booking a break yourself, so why not surprise your Dad with one this Father’s Day?

How about a theatre break gift voucher?

If you have surprised your Dad, or a relative before with a Show and Stay package please feel free to let us know all about it on our Facebook page.

*Prices right when searched on 25th May 2011.

Enjoy West End LIVE

The eagerly awaited event, will be staged in London’s Trafalgar Square for the first time ever and will showcase some of the biggest and best acts from Theatreland.

The line up includes the productions Billy Elliot The Musical, Chicago The Musical, Wicked, We Will Rock You, The Lion King, Jersey Boys, Legally Blonde The Musical, Love Never Dies, Mamma Mia!, Million Dollar Quartet, Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical, Stomp, Thriller Live, War Horse and ZooNation’s Some Like It Hip Hop.

New musicals Betty Blue Eyes, The Wizard of Oz, Shrek The Musical, Ghost The Musical, Crazy For You, Lend Me A Tenor The Musical, Potted Potter and The Flying Karamazov Brothers will also feature over the weekend and there will even be a special preview of Broadway hit Rock of Ages which will open in the city in September.

A host of big-name stars including The Wizard of Oz’s leading lady Danielle Hope — who is currently gracing the Palladium’s stage as Dorothy — and Lee Mead— who will take to the stage as Emmett Forest in Legally Blonde The Musical from mid-June — are set to make an appearance over the weekend.

A great event for the whole family, West End LIVE will also include fantastic onstage performances by acts such as The Gleeks, West End Gospel Choir and London Gay Men’s Chorus, stalls by exhibitors including the National Gallery and guests the children will love including Bob the Builder.

West End LIVE is free to attend and is expected to attract more than 500,000 people to the capital. The event will run from 11:00am — 6:00pm on June 18 and 12:00 — 6:00pm on June 19, so why not come along and join in the fun?

1. Make your way out of Piccadilly Circus Underground by exit four and take a moment to find your bearings. The area surrounding the world-famous Piccadilly Circus road junction is often very busy, however, by noting a few popular landmarks you will know exactly where you are.

Straight ahead of you, you will see the beautiful memorial fountain to Lord Shaftesbury which has stood on the site since 1893 and to your left the Criterion Theatre, currently home to The 39 Steps. Located underground, the theatre sports a delightful nineteenth-century design and during the Blitz was deemed a safe recording studio for the BBC.

2. After admiring the surrounding area, turn back on yourself and head down Coventry Street, making sure the Criterion is now on your right. Glance across to your left and you should see an impressive corner building in the distance donning video displays and neon lights as well as Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum on the road opposite.

3. Continue straight ahead and when you reach the corner you will see the impressive Horses of Helios statue. Take a moment to admire the sculptures and maybe even take a photo, before following the road to the right onto Haymarket.

Horses of Helios. Image by Breros@Flickr

4. Enjoy a relaxing stroll, away from the hustle and bustle of Piccadilly Circus, but keep your eyes peeled as on your right you will see Her Majesty’s Theatre which first opened in 1705. Originally named after Queen Anne it became the King’s Theatre when George 1 came to the throne in 1714 and continues to change name depending on the reigning monarch. Home to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera since 1986 the theatre has been frequented by people from across the globe and is a tourist hot spot.

To your left you will also see the Theatre Royal Haymarket (or The Little Theatre) which has played host to performances since 1720. The third oldest playhouse in London, it is currently home to Terrence Rattigan’s Flare Path starring Sienna Miller, Sheridan Smith and James Purefoy.

5. When you reach the end of Haymarket bear left into Pall Mall, a famous street in the city of Westminster London and at the National Gallery head left into Whitcomb Street.

6. Continue along Whitcomb Street before turning right into Gerrard Street — the epicentre of London’s bustling Chinatown. Situated near the Soho area of the city, Chinatown is alive with shops and restaurants and is the perfect place to sample a range of exquisite oriental cuisine. Heavily decorated for special occasions throughout the year, Chinatown is an exciting place to visit and is a bustling haven of bright colours and mouthwatering smells.

7. After a rest and a delicious meal, make your way to the end of Gerrard Street and turn left at Gerrard Place before turning right onto Shaftesbury Avenue. A major street in the heart of London, Shaftesbury Avenue was the birth place of music sensation Cat Stevens and was used as a film location for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

8. At Cambridge Circus, make your way along Moor Street which leads to the Prince Edward Theatre, currently showing the smash-hit jukebox musical Jersey Boys.

9. Go straight along Greek Street and maybe have a drink or a nibble in one of the eateries, before continuing to Soho Square. Originally known as King’s Square, the area was once the hunting grounds of Kings Henry VIII and although developed now is a nice little place to sit.

Soho Square. Copyright geo sharples and licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence

10. Well rested, head out of the garden onto Soho Street and turn right down Oxford Street where you will find a whole range of high street stores. If you have plenty of time, Oxford Street is a great place to pick up a new outfit, but try not to get carried away as you still have a little while to walk.

11. Cross at the Dominion Theatre, currently showing the spectacular We Will Rock You and walk up Tottenham Court Road.

12. Take the first right onto Great Russell Street where you will find The British Museum and maybe even pop in to admire some of the most wonderful artifacts from around the world. Home to everything from the Cyrus Cylinder (regarded by many as the world’s first recorded document of human rights) to mummies from Ancient Egypt, it is well worth a visit.

13. After exploring many fascinating treasures make your way back outside and head along Museum Street. Cross New Oxford Street and High Holborn and merge into Drury Lane.

14. Turn right into Russell Street where on your left you will see Catherine Street and spot the entrance to Theatre Royal Drury Lane (which backs onto Drury Lane). First opened in 1663 and rebuilt four times, the theatre is the oldest in London and is home to the upcoming London production of Shrek The Musical starring Nigel Lindsay, Nigel Harman, Richard Blackwood, and Amanda Holden.

15. Continue along Russell Street until you reach the ever-popular Covent Garden Piazza, one of the quirkiest areas of London. Explore the Covent Garden market, admire the grandeur of the Royal Opera House and even visit the London Transport Museum.

Covent Garden. Copyright David Hawgood and licensed for reuse under a Creative Commons Licence

16. Leave the museum and go straight on, keeping the bustling piazza on your left. Turn right onto James Street where you will see Covent Garden Underground straight ahead.

Enjoy a wonderful walk through the heart of the city and experience the sites and sounds of the capital — the perfect compliment to a London theatre break.

Just in case you’re not familiar with the term ‘jukebox musical’, it essentially means a musical which uses previously released songs as its score.

The brilliant thing about jukebox musicals is their unparalleled accessibility. Sure, the occasional theatre snob turns their nose up at them, preferring to harp on about “proper theatre” and “cheapening the West End” but what those stuffy folk often forget is that ANYONE can enjoy a jukebox musical.

How many of you have enjoyed We Will Rock You with a musical-phobic father or grandfather? Or enjoyed a girly sing-along with mum at Mamma Mia!? That’s the wonderful thing about jukebox musicals, they bring people together.

So what if the stories might not be quite as artfully wrought as some of their higher-brow West End counterparts? Jukebox musicals are jolly good fun and as long as rag-tag groups of friends and relatives are filling up West End auditoriums to enjoy them, long may they live.

Of course, if you’re reading this you’re probably already a jukebox musical fan, so let’s skip to the best bit; picking our favourite!
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Image by Sarah G@flickr

The Royal Mail has today launched a unique set of special stamps in tribute to London’s Theatreland.

The new collection features eight stamps, each celebrating a popular musical that has been performed on the London stage over the last seven decades.

Designs include iconic moments or memorable posters from shows including We Will Rock You, Blood Brothers and Billy Elliot the musical as well as Me And My Girl, Oliver!, Spamalot, The Rocky Horror Show and Return To The Forbidden Planet.