Top ten musicals

Musicals may have been making us laugh and cry from as far back as 550BC, but even today their charm has remained.

Whether on stage or on screen, musicals offer unique relief from the sometimes hectic world.

Admittedly the sheer number of musicals can be a little off-putting, but hopefully the following top ten list will help put shows into perspective.

10. Billy Elliot The Musical (Victoria Palace Theatre, London)

Yes, you've probably seen the film but the musical version is arguably even more heartwarming.

This musical comes very highly recommended having won numerous awards, including four Laurence Olivier Awards in 2006 alone, and the New York Times even hailed the transatlantic version as 'almost like being in love.'

Good tickets can be expensive, so booking in advance is advised for the cash strapped amongst us, or else take advantage of the regular special offers.

9. Evita (Film, 1996)

This musical film was responsible for launching the career of a then young popstrel named Madonna to dizzying heights.

Based on the life of Eva Duarte, who was known as 'Evita' to supporters, the film effectively demonstrates her impact on Argentina and her tremendous strength of character.

Iconic, inspirational and truly unforgettable, this film quite rightly wowed the critics and crowds alike on release.

8. West Side Story (Film, 1961)

Undoubtedly a musical that can be enjoyed across the generations, West Side Story has been billed as a masterpiece ever since it was first premiered.

Retelling the classic Shakespeare tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by substituting the Montagues and the Capulets for two rival New York gangs may seem unconventional, but the plot remains captivating.

The choreography has to be seen to be believed, which is perhaps unsurprising as the choreographer was sacked due to his extensive rehearsals as the producers were afraid that they may stray over the budget.

7. Miss Saigon (On worldwide tour)

Although it is often seen as a less well-known musical, Miss Saigon has in fact been seen by more than 31 million people in 18 different countries.

As a modern adaptation of Madame Butterfly, the story unfolds as Vietnamese bar girl falls for an American GI and becomes pregnant shortly before he returns home.

She desperately hopes to be reunited with her baby's father as she yearns for him to have a better life in America, but in order for this to occur she must agree to a great sacrifice.

Although it is one of the most upsetting musicals I have ever seen, the songs are amazing, in particular Sun and Moon and Paper Dragons.

6. Les Misérables (Queen's Theatre, London)

Still going strong after 22 years, this production of Victor Hugo's best known novel documents the intertwined lives of several French characters in the 1800s.

The show examines what is wrong, right, good and bad through the shaky redemption of the protagonist Jean Valjean.

With 392 costume changes, 1782 items of clothing and 31 wigs per performance, authenticity is and always has been key, despite several changes of location over the years. [-[more]-]

5. Moulin Rouge (Film, 2001)

As the final installment of Baz Luhrmann's 'Red Curtain' trilogy, Moulin Rouge does not fail to disappoint.

Tom Mandall, an English student from Worcester, believes it is his favourite musical due to the way in which the spirit of a stage musical is captured on screen, and he cites that the 'frenetic editing' in the first half of the film is its best feature.

With an admirable cast (including Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman), as well as beautiful screenplay, this is one to watch again and again.

4. The Lion King (The Lyceum Theatre, London)

The Lion King is one of the most successful West End plays of all time, having won a handful of Laurence Olivier awards and the Best Theatre/Show in the Visit London Awards for two years in a row.

The animal costumes are unbelievable, especially the 18 foot tall giraffes and the 11 foot tall elephant which seem staggeringly tall from your seat.

The storyline is almost completely unchanged, and can be enjoyed by all age groups. A great outing for a date!

3. Chicago (Film, 2002)

Two fame-hungry vixens meet in jail and hope to become Illinois's most famous murderess, but instead end up as bitter rivals due to sharing the same lawyer, the charming Billy Flynn.

Despite being named as one of 'The 20 Most Overrated Movies of All Time' by Premiere, Chicago still managed to make the list of 'Best 25 Movie Musicals of All Time,' as compiled by Entertainment Weekly.

A truly glitzy musical, with screen veterans Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renée Zellwegar playing Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart respectively. [-[quote]-]

2. The Sound Of Music (Film, 1959)

Although almost guaranteed to be screened obsessively on terrestrial television during the festive season, The Sound Of Music is a delightful and enjoyable film.

Julie Garland's performance as Maria, a young woman who is disappointed with life as a nun and so decides to governess the Von Trapp household, is excellently portrayed.

The film was so popular in South Korea that cinemas showed it up to five times a day, and one enterprising cinema owner even decided to cut out all the songs in order to bring in more customers!

1. The Phantom of The Opera (Her Majesty's Theatre, London)

Undeniably Andrew Lloyd Webber's biggest masterpiece, The Phantom of The Opera has had overwhelming success all over the world.

The show has won more than 50 theatre awards and has the biggest selling cast album of all time.

The stagecraft is jaw dropping, in particular the replica of the Paris Opera House chandelier (which is made of 6000 beads), although the Phantom's make up is also one of a kind.

Having ranked second in BBC Radio 2's 'Nation's Number One Essential Musicals' and gaining profits of 1.8 billion pounds it is no surprise that a sequel is in motion, although this has been deferred several times.