Heartbreak, heart-wrenching, heartache: A look at Love on the West End 

As Valentine’s Day looms and more new plays begin their runs this year, let’s have a look at love in some of our favourite, and newest, West End shows! 

Hadestown: How far would you go

Hadestown sees two love stories: Hades and Persephone against Orpheus and Eurydice, both becoming tested and tense due to Hades’ overbearing control, which impacts both relationships. As a result, Persephone has dual citizenship in the underworld and human world as the seasons change, whilst Hades challenges Orpheus and Eurydice to retrace their journey back, separated, with the risk of Eurydice going back to the underworld if the rules are broken. The show is not only poignant, as it navigates contemporary themes of climate change, but also a Greek tragedy which applies to both couples, demonstrating how far one would go for love and how much they’re willing to do.   

The Phantom of the Opera: Twisted and dysfunctional

On the other side of the West End is The Phantom of the Opera, following the love triangle between Raoul, Christine, and the Phantom. Of course, there is a love of music and theatre which is present throughout the show, but there is also added layers of Raoul’s yearning for Christine; Christine being unaware of how intrinsically she’s connected to the Phantom, and the Phantom, who not only loves music but is possessive of Christine to remain in contact with the theatre as well as his own songbird. Not only is the love story dysfunctional and almost twisted, but Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies follows Christine and Raoul’s relationship with their son, as Christine is pulled to America for one final performance. The Phantom again appears and, as it turns out, whilst she’s with Raoul (who is heart-broken upon finding this out), Christine states how she has always loved the Phantom who incidentally is the father of her child. Across the two musicals the love triangle is webbed and messy, and in the sequel (set 10 years later) this doesn’t seem to have changed. Whilst I’m not trying to bash or critique Webber’s thematic exploration, it’s a version of love that is tangled and convoluted, but also full of heart which has had fans obsessed for decades.  

Why Am I So Single?: Platonic and self-love

A recent closure on the West End, Why Am I So Single, by the creators of SIX (Marlow and Moss), explores the ins and outs of friendship, platonic soulmates and the trials and tribulations that come with relationships in the contemporary age. With hit songs, current references, and an incredible cast, the show tastefully explores two friends’ love of musicals, as well as each other, as they ask themselves why they are indeed so single. Despite its glittery and trendy nature, the characters Oliver and Nancy are confronted by their own baggage, as well as forced to reminisce on their past relationships. They realise that they’d had each other through thick and thin, and whilst they may not be able to be able to rely on the male dating pool, they have one another.  

That is not to say that it is all sunshine and rainbows. The show poignantly explores working through grief, self-introspection and confrontation as the characters grow. Whilst you may be laughing one minute, you will truly be sobbing in the next song. Although it has recently closed, this is a show that caters to all generations, and for university students, I think this is a show that we’d all find comfort in! 

The Devil Wears Prada: Love or career

Love or Career? A question that has haunted many American sit-coms and rom coms. One film that explores this in detail through film and has recently been brought to life onstage is The Devil Wears Prada: The Musical, with music by Elton John and starring Vanessa Williams. Having seen the show over Christmas, the plot follows main character Andy Sachs as she finds her way through her profession, whilst also balancing her personal relationships and staying strong. With an incredible costume department and spectacular visual feast, the Dominion Theatre immerses you into the Runway magazine world with displays, photo ops and merchandise. The West End, compared to Broadway, has a better reception towards movie-musicals and many audiences have flocked to the theatres to see the cult-classic revived. Andy, who was initially resistant to conforming to the Miranda-girl type, or trying to get ahead, resolves to prove her boss Miranda Priestly wrong. Her diligence and intentions will lead her to displace her superior and do so well at her job that she betrays her colleague, neglects her relationship, proceeds to have a fling, and subsequently becomes a Miranda-girl. Finally, she resigns and takes back control of her life, romance, and professional life, realising that with work-life balance, you can have your love-life and career both in check and thriving.  

Wicked: Female friendships and love

A rather timely show that champions female friendships is Wicked. The production on stage and screen champions not only the ‘opposites attract’ trope, but also how first impressions, no matter how much you loathe someone, aren’t indicative of someone’s character. Glinda and Elphaba began as competitors, then become two best friends. In the film, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo have shown us that the beauty, support, and rich feeling at the heart of female friendship is what makes them such strong bonds. Recently there has been a phenomenon of celebrating female friendships and upon Wicked’s release, there has been a frenzy of content and media surrounding girlhood and female friendships which is empowered by the pink and green duo who have walked so the rest of best friendships could run! Of course, Fiyero causes a subtle rift as he completes the love triangle in the show, but the female protagonists ultimately want the best for each other and support each other no matter what, immortalised in both ‘Defying Gravity’ and ‘For Good’.