Bio-Musicals: A new mainstay of London's West End
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(Updated on 9 Sep 2025)
The West End has been dominated in recent years by the rise of the bio-musical - shows that bring the lives and music of global superstars to the stage. From *Beautiful: The Carole King Musical* to *Jersey Boys*, audiences have flocked to see the stories behind the songs, and the trend shows no sign of slowing down.
[*Tina: The Tina Turner Musical*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/tina-the-tina-turner-musical-tickets) was a record-breaking hit at the [Aldwych Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/aldwych-theatre-london), becoming the venue’s longest-running show. Charting Tina’s journey from humble beginnings to global superstardom, the musical captured her resilience and iconic catalogue of hits including “Proud Mary”, “What’s Love Got to Do With It”, and “Simply the Best”. Though it has now closed in London, the show was acclaimed worldwide and cemented Tina’s legacy on stage.
[*MJ the Musical*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/mj-the-musical-tickets), which opened in the West End after huge success on Broadway, dives into the creative mind and artistry of **Michael Jackson** during the making of his 1992 *Dangerous* tour. Featuring more than [25 of his biggest hits](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/mj-the-musical-songs), including “Thriller”, “Billie Jean”, and “Beat It”, the show has already picked up Tony Awards on Broadway and won an Olivier Award in London, making it one of the hottest tickets in town.
Of course, not all musicals based on legendary artists lean into drama. [*MAMMA MIA!*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/mamma-mia-tickets) is the ultimate feel-good bio-inspired jukebox musical, using **ABBA’**s greatest hits to tell a heartwarming story of love, friendship, and family on a Greek island. Since opening in 1999, it has become one of the longest-running musicals in West End history, been nominated for multiple Olivier Awards, and even inspired two hit movies.
Earlier bio-musicals such as *Beautiful: The Carole King Musical* and *Jersey Boys* paved the way for this wave of shows, blending iconic soundtracks with stories of struggle, triumph, and resilience. Whether it’s the heartbreaking journey of Judy Garland in *Judy!* or the joyous celebration of Motown’s golden era, these productions prove that audiences want more than just the music - they want to experience the story behind the star.
With [*MJ the Musical*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/mj-the-musical-tickets), and the legacy of [*Tina: The Tina Turner Musical*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/tina-the-tina-turner-musical-tickets), it’s clear the bio-musical is now a cornerstone of London theatre. These shows not only deliver unforgettable songs but also let us step into the lives of the legends who shaped them.