With film adaptations such as Everyone's Talking About Jamie and West Side Story being released just last year, the spotlight has refocused on the theatrical scene in cinema.
However, I think we can all agree that not all musicals need a movie makeover – Cats, I’m looking at you. To spare you the disappointment and trauma of rewatching a furry failure go down on screen, I’m here to give you six of the best film adaptations of West End plays.
Les Misérables (2012)
Consisting of intricate set designs and a powerful storyline, Les Misérables promises all that and so much more. Its complex plot centres around four intertwining stories set in France. The movie mirrors the live musical beautifully and raises the bar with special effects, drone shots and an iconic soundtrack which tugs at the heartstrings.
It encapsulates social issues in 19th century urban France through the perspectives of different characters played by A-list celebrities, such as Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Helena Bonham-Carter. The film is definitely unrivalled by any other musical film adaptation out there.
Chicago (2002)
This popular adaptation won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture of the Year. If that doesn't tell you everything, I don't know what will.
We are told the tale of two women in prison, attempting to get out and make it big in the American city. Along the way, the storyline highlights gender-based social issues in this dog-eat-dog world. With its perfectly choreographed staccato jazz numbers such as Cell Block Tango and Catherine Zeta-Jones’s stellar performance, it simply cannot go under the radar.
Phantom of the Opera (2004)
Nothing beats the masked Angel of Music and his operatic tunes. The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical is a classic and definitely one of my favourites, but the film adaptation is a close second. Gerard Butler does a fine job as 'The Phantom' and although no one can replace the maestro and his orchestra, the crisp music rendered by the film's soundtrack is on par.
Despite the film adaptation being brilliant, I would suggest giving the recorded 25th anniversary performance a watch. This really gives you the theatrical experience you’re looking for, as you can watch the mechanics of the play unfold without having to visit Her Majesty's Theatre.
Mamma Mia (2008)
This is the only musical where the film adaptation outdoes the live performance on all fronts. With a star-studded cast including Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan, coupled with picturesque scenes from filming on-site in Greece, it’s hard to not fall in love with the movie.
The play is somewhat underwhelming, with one of the only good things about it being the ABBA songs. Since the musical is not performed in Greece but rather in a theatre in London's West End, it is difficult to picture the white stucco walls and cobblestone roads of Skopelos Island as the backdrop, rather than a black stage.
Hamilton (2020)
I hate to be basic, but the diverse cast and variety of music styles conjure up a storm in this adaptation. It is slightly let down by Lin-Manuel Miranda’s minimal acting, but that is just one part of this rap/hip-hop/R&B extraordinaire and can be overlooked.
This musical tells the story of the American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, as if it were happening on stage with no special effects included. It does not have any opera numbers, so this is likely to be more your style if you’re looking for something fun, fresh and a little edgy.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (2021)
A final mention goes out to Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, a lovely coming-of-age movie based on the real-life events of an aspiring teenage Drag Queen from Sheffield. This is one movie that has made me put its live musical counterpart on my must-watch list.
Even though these musical blockbusters have stolen the show in Hollywood, I will never give up the novelty of sitting in a theatre and watching as the scenes come alive right before my eyes, with vivacious thespians and ambient orchestra music.
Edited by Hannah Youds