Esmé Thompson

Location

Esmé is a self-proclaimed musical theatre lover. A rarity one could say! One of her earliest memories is seeing Anything Goes at the National Theatre with her grandmother as a child. “Cole Porter’s lyrics are just so clever and witty. My grandmother and I would always sing ‘You’re The Top’ to each other.” Whether it’s a “big, old-fashioned musical with all the bells and whistles that feels like such an event” or “just a fabulously funny show, dazzling in that old-school jazz-hands way, with brilliant soundtracks and killer choreography,” she always walks out “feeling transported and absolutely like you’ve gotten your money’s worth.”

Chicago is her all-time favorite, maybe along with The Sound of Music, Cabaret, My Fair Lady, Company, Gypsy, Hairspray, Wicked, and MatildaFor a pre-theatre dinner: “The daily scratch menu served at Spring from 5–6:15 pm is perfect. The Wolseley is always a fun choice for a pre- or post-theatre West End experience, especially for visitors. And The French House is a Soho classic.”

RECOMMENDED BY
Esmé Thompson

The Playhouse has been transformed into the Kit Kat Club in Berlin to take you on an immersive journey inside one of the greatest musicals of all time. Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley originated the lead roles in this production and some fantastic duos have followed.

Esmé Thompson

I was lucky enough to see the original Wicked with Idina Menzel when she came to the West End and it was one of the most mind-blowing performances I have witnessed in a theatre. I returned to the show three more times and was continually amazed. I haven\'t seen it in many years but still listen to the songs and it is a surprisingly profound story in its exploration of friendship, prejudice and corruption.

Esmé Thompson

We love the book, we love the film, but the musical of Matilda might be the winner. The young performers will blow you away and Tim Minchin\'s songs are delightfully witty, sophisticated and moving.

Esmé Thompson

Hamilton is a powerhouse of a musical telling the story of America\'s founding fathers to a score of hip-hop, R&B, pop and soul. Lin-Manuel Miranda is a lyrical genius. There is not a single dull moment in this history lesson.

Esmé Thompson

I was lucky enough to see this at The Royal Court and it was unforgettable. John Lithgow transforms into a complex, curmudgeonly Roald Dahl and leaves you with your jaw on the floor by the play\'s end. Sophisticated in its writing, Giant is deceptively witty, haunting and timely.

Esmé Thompson

Robert Icke is one of the most exciting voices in theatre today. A master of transforming classic texts, he turns this ancient myth into a contemporary political thriller. Lesley Manville and Mark Strong deliver fantastic performances giving us a show that\'s repulsive, captivating and heartbreaking all at once.

Esmé Thompson

Arthur Miller has a remarkable ability to thread sweeping moral and social questions through the intimacy of family life, and All My Sons is no exception, feeling both personal and universal in its themes. The all-star cast deliver captivating performances, and the staging is elegantly minimal—nothing more is needed when Miller’s writing so poignantly exposes the harsh truths of the corrupted American Dream and father-son relationships. The set and lighting are understated yet powerful, rich in presence and symbolism. Expect a thrilling and heart-wrenching 135 minutes of family drama (no interval needed).

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