West End musical theatre through major openings and transfers (1950–2000)

1. My Fair Lady opens at Drury Lane

   Apr 30, 1958Labels: Theatre Royal, My Fair

   • My Fair Lady
   • Britannica

2. Oliver! makes its West End debut

   Jun 30, 1960Labels: No l, Oliver

   • LondonTheatre
   • Oliver

3. Hair opens amid end of UK censorship

   Sep 27, 1968Labels: Shaftesbury Theatre, Hair

   • Hair
   • Shaftesbury

4. The Rocky Horror Show premieres at Royal Court

   Jun 19, 1973Labels: Royal Court, The Rocky

   • Royal Court
   • Rocky Horror

5. Evita opens at the Prince Edward Theatre

   Jun 21, 1978Labels: Prince Edward, Evita

   • Evita
   • Prince Edward

6. Cats opens at the New London Theatre

   May 11, 1981Labels: New London, Cats

   • Cameron Mack
   • Cats

7. Starlight Express opens at Apollo Victoria

   Mar 27, 1984Labels: Apollo Victoria, Starlight Express

   • Starlight
   • Ovrtur

8. Les Misérables opens at the Barbican Centre

   Oct 8, 1985Labels: Barbican Centre, Les Mis

   • Les Mis
   • Theatrecrafts

9. Les Misérables transfers to the Palace Theatre

   Dec 4, 1985Labels: Palace Theatre, Les Mis

   • Les Mis
   • John Caird

10. The Phantom of the Opera opens at Her Majesty’s

    Oct 9, 1986Labels: His Majesty, The Phantom

    • Phantom
    • His Majesty s

11. Miss Saigon opens at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane

    Sep 20, 1989Labels: Theatre Royal, Miss Saigon

    • Miss Saigon
    • Britannica

12. Chicago revival opens at the Adelphi Theatre

    Nov 18, 1997Labels: Adelphi Theatre, Chicago

    • Chicago
    • Ovrtur

13. Mamma Mia! opens, popularizing jukebox musicals

    Apr 6, 1999Labels: Prince Edward, Mamma Mia

    • Mamma Mia
    • Prince Edward

14. The Lion King opens at the Lyceum Theatre

    Oct 19, 1999Labels: Lyceum Theatre, The Lion

    • Lion King
    • TheaterMania