Though the days are (slowly) getting longer, it is still gloomy and cold here in Edinburgh. With characters breaking into song, the non-naturalistic nature of musicals breaks the everyday mundanity and draws you into a world of dance and music. What better way to fight those winter blues than to distract yourself from the real world?
If you are feeling nostalgic and want to reconnect with a beloved childhood story through a different medium, a musical to watch is the Olivier-Award winning Matilda the Musical. You are sure to be entertained by the larger-than-life versions of Matilda’s parents with their solo numbers ‘Telly’ and ‘Loud,’ — with the latter featuring the musical’s original character and Mrs. Wormwood’s ballroom dance instructor, Rudolpho — and an incredible salsa dance break.
Nostalgia really hits in the Act II opening number, ‘When I Grow Up,’ and is an easy reminder of the joys and hopefulness of childhood. An absolute feel-good highlight of the musical is ‘Revolting Children,’ where its celebration of childhood rebellion and high-energy dancing is sure to put a smile on your face.
Based on the 2007 movie written and directed by the late Adrienne Shelley, Waitress: The Musical is the perfect musical to watch if you want to beat winter blues with a cathartic cry. The incredible book by Jessie Nelson is supported by Sara Bareilles’ gut-wrenching music and lyrics that bring emotion and heart to moments as simple as baking pies or being in a doctor’s waiting room.
The final few songs such as ‘She Used To Be Mine,’ ‘Everything Changes’ and ‘Opening Up (Finale)’ are particularly emotional in the context of the show’s plot. Bareilles’ music adds emotion to the story’s beautiful ending that reminds you to never settle for “happy enough.” So if you think a cry might actually make you feel better, you can stream or rent the official, recorded version of Waitress on the National Theatre at Home website.
For good vibes all around, you will probably enjoy the Legally Blonde: The Musical. With all the iconic moments from the original movie such as “What, like it’s hard?” and an entire number dedicated to the bend and snap, it is a show that creates pure joy. Legally Blonde is full of high-energy numbers from its very beginning and features numbers with insane skipping rope choreography in Brooke Wyndham’s ‘Whipped Into Shape’ and Vivienne Kensington’s killer vocals in ‘Legally Blonde Remix.’ In addition to fun numbers, Elle and Emmett’s relationship is developed a lot more, with songs such as ‘Chip On My Shoulder’ and ‘Take It Like a Man’ exploring their relationship.
It is impossible to be sad after watching Legally Blonde. If you have really enjoyed it, you might also be interested in watching Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods, an MTV reality TV show that aimed to find Broadway’s new Elle Woods through weekly challenges and eliminations.
Whether it is through watching these shows live, on your laptop, or just listening to the soundtracks, these musicals will definitely get you through the last of the dreary winter days before the sun makes its reappearance in Edinburgh.
“Legally Blonde The Musical” by Eva Rinaldi Celebrity Photographer is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.