Top 5 Must-See Musicals for 16-year-olds
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(Updated on 19 Aug 2025)
With so much choice in the West End, musicals-wise, it’s hard to know where to start. From [***Les Mis**érables***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/197/les-miserables-tickets.aspx) to [***The Lion King***](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/9/the-lion-king-tickets.aspx), the sheer number of smash-hit shows lining the streets of London don’t make the already daunting decision any easier. It seems we’re almost spoilt for choice with award-winning performances around every corner! Well, don't worry because I, your average 16-year-old clueless teenager, have compiled my favourite top 5 must-see musicals to help shorten your list – and trust me, I can guarantee you won’t be able to stop singing along to these ones!
**1.** *Hamilton*
I have three words: Ultimate. Sensational. Catchy. ***Hamilton*** is a must-see musical following the life of Alexander Hamilton. This musical tells a story of one of America's founding fathers with a fusion of hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, and R&B. Wait until you meet Thomas Jefferson and the stylish King George. What more could you ask for? Did I mention the cast list, like **Alex Sawyer** *(House of Anubis),* **Simbi Akande** *(Ghost and The Prince Of Egypt) and* **Nathania Ong** *(Les Misérables)?* I don't know about you, but this show just made History a lot more interesting…
🎫 [**Book tickets to see *Hamilton* here**.](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/hamilton-west-end-tickets)
**2.** *Wicked*
With part 2 of the live-action movie featuring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande on everyone's mind, how could we miss **Wicked**? Known as the 10th-longest-running show in the West End, this one is at the top of our list. This show is packed with stars like **Emma Kingston** *(Les Misérables, Evita and The Heathers)* and **Zizi Strallen** *(Mary Poppins, Rock of Ages and Cake: the Marie Antoinette playlist).* It’s the only musical in the West End that leaves you wondering, Are you an Elphaba or a Glinda?
🎫 [**Book tickets to see *Wicked* here**.](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/wicked-tickets)
**3.** *Six*
I’ll admit, when I first heard that the **[Vaudeville Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/vaudeville-theatre-london)** was housing a musical focusing on the topic of my year 8 history classes, I had my doubts. But these didn’t last long until I heard ***Six***’s incredible soundtrack featuring the collective masterminding of **Toby Marlow** and **Lucy Moss**, who have turned the old English tale of Henry VIII into a “75-minute celebration of sisterly sass-itude”. If you’ve come anywhere near me and my friends recently, I’m sure all you could hear was us religiously chanting “XO baby”, earning us some strange looks. Well, I can promise you’ll be humming the songs all day as well after watching this fab musical!
🎫 [**Book tickets to see *Six* here**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/2983/six-tickets.aspx).
**4. ***Harry Potter and the Cursed Child*
After winning the Best New Play Tony Award, ***Harry Potter and the Cursed Child*** is the magical and moving show following Harry Potter (played by **David Ricardo-Pearce)** as a husband and father of three children while working at the Ministry of Magic with darkness and unexpected twists. This show is not only a fantasy lover's dream, but it also includes illusions, magic, adventure and jaw-dropping effects. Sounds like the perfect place to take the whole family. I’m begging for a front-row seat to this performance.
🎫 [**Book tickets to *Harry Potter and the Cursed Child* here.**](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/harry-potter-and-the-cursed-child-tickets)
**5.** *Moulin Rouge! The Musical*
Last but certainly not least, this electrifying and musical masterpiece: *******Moulin Rouge! The Musical.*** This mash-up musical takes classic songs and flips them on their head with hit after hit accompanying the glitz and grandeur of Moulin Rouge. My friend Hannah never stops singing songs from the playlist, and honestly, I’d probably be sick of it by now if it weren’t for the music written by award-winning **Justin Levine** (*The Outsiders* and *Here Lies Love*). From what I can see, it’s a must-see musical. I'll be on the way home singing along to ‘Your Song’ with my family!
🎫 **[Book tickets to see *Moulin Rouge! The Musical* here.](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/moulin-rouge-tickets)**