13 Going on 30 the Musical
Venue: Battersea Arts Centre, London
Cast: Lucie Jones, Jamie Muscato, Grace Mouat, Caleb Roberts, Alex Stoll, Andrew Berlin, Kia-Paris Walcott, Mary-Jean Caldwell, Jena Pandya, Lewis Asquith, Ivan Fernandez Gonzalez, Doireann McNally, Louie Gray, Bea Ward, Delilah Bennett-Cardy, Finn Henry Barwell and Jasmine Djazel 

What does Jenna Rink want for her birthday? That’s easy. At thirteen years old, she wants to skip her school years and to be thirty, flirty and thriving.

As she blows out her birthday candles, she magically wakes up seventeen years later: a thirty-year-old fashion magazine editor with a life that seems to be perfect. As she unravels the mystery of the person she has grown up to be, Jenna must work out what, and who, really matters.

In the past few years, Moulin Rouge has taken the musical theatre world by storm, in both Broadway and the West End. It seems as though it's here to stay, with booking already having been extended to mid 2024. The standout number of the show is "Come What May". However, did you know that this song wasn't originally going to be in the movie adaptation? It was instead supposed to used in another of Baz Luhrmann's classics, Romeo & Juliet. But what is it about Moulin Rouge that is so irresistible to audiences? Here are my top 5 reasons to go and visit the most extravagant event currently in London's West End.

Queen of the Moment

It's Her Turn Now
Rating: ★★★
Venue: The Mill at Sonning 
Cast: Raphael Bar, Jules Brown, Eric Carte, Felicity Duncan, Elizabeth Elvin, Harry Gostelow, James Holmes, Michelle Morris and Charlie Parker-Swift 

FLIP!
Rating: ★★★★★
Venue: Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle

The Choir of Man
Rating: ★★★★★
Venue: Arts Theatre, London
Cast: James Hudson, Sam Ebenezer, Adam Bayjou, Mark Irwin, Michele Benvenuto, Mike Hamway, Peter Lawrence, Tom Miles and Ben Goffe

Proud Cabaret All Stars: Disco
Rating: ★★★★★
Venue: Proud Embankment, London
Cast: Jasmine Takacs & Aaron Brown (BGT finalists), Shade Flamewater, Emily Winters, Jessicats, Amy Black, Tanya Seifert, Lilleet Marshall, Julia Ruth Smith and Thomas Brackley 

Roles We'll Never Play
Rating: ★★★★★
Venue: Clapham Grand, London 

A Spotlight On: LIVE
Venue: The Pump House Theatre, Watford
Cast: Hosted by Matt Hemley, in conversation with Jon Robyns, Courtney Bowman, and Kate Flatt OBE

A Spotlight On: Live is an 'in conversation with' event featuring some of the biggest stars from London's glittering West End. Get up close and personal and discover how they do, what they do and what it takes to stay at the top of your game. Interwoven with thrilling live performances, A Spotlight On: Live invites you to step through the Stage Door and discover the behind-the-scenes world of theatre like never before!

The Lion King
Rating: ★★★★
Venue: Lyceum Theatre, London
Cast: Thenjiwe Nofemele, Shaun Escoffery, Sadia McEwen, Gary Jordan, George Asprey, Emrys Zeph Adamah, Amber Koduah-Hutchison, Rhiane Drummond, Etian Almeida, Benn Welford, Mark Tatham, Owen Chaponda and Merryl Ansah 

Set against the majesty of the Serengeti Plains and to the evocative rhythms of Africa, Disney's multi-award winning musical will redefine your expectations of theatre. Brilliantly reimagined by acclaimed director Julie Taymor, Disney's beloved film has been transformed into a spectacular theatrical experience that explodes with glorious colours, stunning effects and enchanting music. 

Sondheim's Old Friends
Rating: ★★★★★
Venue: Gielgud Theatre, London
Cast: Bernadette Peters, Lea Salonga, Christine Allado, Clare Burt, Janie Dee, Damian Humbley, Bradley Jaden, Bonnie Langford, Gavin Lee, Jason Pennycooke, Joanna Riding, Jeremy Secomb, Jac Yarrow, Marley Fenton, and Beatrice Penny-Touré