The Best Book Adaptations To See Live On The West End Right Now
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If you're a book lover, then good news - you'll be absolutely thrilled to see that some of your favourite novels have been made into theatre productions for 2020. If you're in need of a culture fix, discover our top 6 of the best book adaptations to go see now.
The theatre has long been a traditional and prestigious form of evening entertainment since the 1500s, and the UK's drama scene boasts as one of the world's best alongside New York's Broadway. London has so many stand out shows where people worldwide flock to come and see what all the hype is about - and for good reason!
Much in the same way that reading a book or watching a movie might, the theatre allows you to escape from reality and get sucked into a good story. Whether your looking for a laugh or a cry you'll be able to find a production just fit for you - especially if you've found a connection with a story previously.
For Londoners and non-Londoners, taking a trip into the centre is a magical experience and the excitement of going to see a play gets you excited for weeks. For book fans, the excitement is even greater as you long to see how the real life production lives up to the vision in your head. For 2020, there are a whole host of book adaptations to see in the theatre this year from Les Mis to Life of Pi, so you'll be in for a treat. We've picked out the top 6 to see both musicals and plays that you'll be able to see this 2020.
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If you were a fan of the recent BBC TV adaptation of His Dark Materials, you'll be thrilled to know that a theatre adaptation of Phillip Pullman's second trilogy will be coming to the Bridge Theatre in London in July (until October). Phillip Pullman is one of our most treasured authors whose Northern Lights trilogy has shaped both children and adult's creativity. The Book Of Dust is his second trilogy which continues Lyra's lute against the Magisterium and sheds more light on the ever mysterious 'dust' - La Belle Sauvage being the first of the three texts. Nicholas Hynter brought His Dark Materials to stage in 2004 with fantastic puppets so we can only expect the best from The Book Of Dust. Tickets start from £15.
The show has repeatedly been given 5 stars and is credited for it's recreation of the horses which are made from wooden creations brought to life by human movement. The original book was by Michael Morpurgo but was adapted for stage by Nick Stafford. Set in World War I, the play follows a family from Devon and portrays the inextricable bond between a man and his horse through harsh times. It's family friendly, emotional and captivating. The show is currently on tour in Australia however there is a resident show at Troubador Wembley Park Arena in London. Tickets start from £15.
Les Miserables is world famous with superfans flocking to London to see the play from all over. The novel was written in the 1800's by French literary giant Victor Hugo and adapted in 1980 into a musical by the French. Musical theatre legend Cameron Mackintosh reproduced the musical in English and it's been going ever since. If you've seen the film adaptation starring Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway and loved it, you'll feel the same way for the theatre production which shares more of the story, has more songs and is all together epic. Catch it at the Sondheim theatre in London, tickets start from £30.
The National Theatre is putting on the iconic novel by Emily Bronte Wuthering Heights. Due to start showing in Autumn at the Lyttelton theatre by London's South Bank, Emma Rice's production has all Bronte fans buzzing with excitement. If you haven't read the novel, the story follows an orphan in Yorkshire set in the early 1800's who's set to get revenge. Rice describes her adaptation as 'a revenge tragedy of our time' and we absolutely cannot wait. If you can't make the trip to London then fear not as the production will be going on tour in 2021. (Tickets not yet released.)
The cult novel by Canadian writer Yann Martel has been studied in English classes, made into a blockbuster movie and will soon be at the theatre in London. The play follows a boys journey through the sea after he's shipwrecked and his special relationship with Richard Parker, a tiger. You'll be able to catch the play from July at the Wyndham's theatre in London from £45, critics are expecting a spell bounding performance.
Harper Lee's iconic novel has been showing in Broadway for a number of years and in May 2020 it's finally coming to London. The story portrays the amazing bond between a family of three and how Jem and Scout learn about the issues of racism through their father's court case. The Broadway version has been a mega hit so we are expecting big things when it comes to London at the Gielgud theatre in May. Lots of nights have already sold out so make sure you get on it ASAP.
January 15 2020 by Jemima Compton
