Top Touring Shows of 2017

Douglas Mayo nominates the top touring shows from 2017 and congratulates the teams of people who make these amazing shows travel the length and breadth of the UK each week.

The cast of The Addams Family. Photo: Matt Martin The Addams Family One of the best new touring productions of 2017, Andrew Lippa's The Addams Family was an absolute joy. Stunning performances backed up by a stunning production. Producers Katy Lipson and the Music and Lyrics consortium should be justifiably proud. I repeat my call for a cast album since no recording of the revised show exists and hope that the show will return for another tour. Read our review.

Lucie Jones as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde Legally Blonde As vivacious, wonderful and heart-felt as the original London production, Lucie Jones takes on one of the great modern musical theatre roles and triumphs in this new production produced by UK Productions. A joyous night in the theatre to shake away real life blues! Read our review.

Max Runham as Captain Walker and the company of Tommy. Tommy One of the greatest rock musical scores staged by a group of phenomenal performers and receiving rave reviews across the board, Ramps On The Moon blew us away with this production. More please!! Read our review.

The company of Running Wild. Photo: Dan Tsantillis Running Wild Among the best theatrical experiences to be had are the ones that play directly on that childhood bit of the brain that has the ability to imagine; to turn clothes horses into ships, chairs into rockets. The Children’s Touring Partnership’s production of Running Wild, adapted from the novel by Michael Morpurgo is such a show. Read our review.

John Patridge (Zaza) and Les Cagelles in La Cage Aux Folles La Cage Aux Folles Gaudy, brash, grand and heart-warming, Jerry Herman's wonderous score is back thanks to a gorgeous production produced by Bill Kenwright. John Partidge and Adrian Zmed made for a perfect Albin and George and Les Cagelle were sheep perfection! Let's hope that this production remains in touring rotation. Read our review.

The Wedding Singer Nick Winston's fabulously retro production of The Wedding Singer was a highlight of 2017. Perfect casting of the central performances from Jon Robyns, Cassie Compton, Samuel Holmes, Ray Quinn, Ruth Madoc made The Wedding Singer a great night in the theatre. Read our review. I have tried to nominate new productions in this list of top touring shows. I feel though that special mention must go to both Blood Brothers and Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Both shows have been touring the UK for longer than I care to mention, but to Bill Kenwright's credit each is fresh and in tip top form and deserve to be seen.

Finally, personally can I particularly thank the staff of the New Victoria Theatre, Woking and The New Wimbledon Theatre. I have spent a lot of time in these theatres over the past year and the professionalism and welcoming atmospheres have made it a pleasure to review shows in 2017. Having paid a few repeat visits on non-press nights as a paying punter it's a service with a smile based culture that is to be applauded. Thank you!

CHECK OUT OUR TOURING SECTION FOR ALL THE GREAT SHOWS COMING IN 2018