London's 10 Longest Running Theatre Shows; or the Michael Crawford Touch

Now here's the kind of piece I wish I had time to write more frequently. Top 10s are all the rage at Londonist at the mo...

And what a great way to while away a few idle hours, researching and putting together a list of those shows that have shone for such a long time in London's most exciting district: the West End.

You can read the article on londonist here

Amazing how more than one of these long-runners must owe a (small?) part their success to having Michael Crawford on the bill. I wonder if The Wizard of Oz will still be playing in 17 years time?

Michael Crawford's Going to Be The Wizard, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz!

This is exciting news. If you grew up watching Mr Crawford in Hello, Dolly at your Grandpa's house like I did, you'll have a soft spot for the performer.

My sister and I also saw him in The Woman in White, but didn't realise it was him underneath the fat suit and the accent until about half-way through.

The Wizard isn't the largest part of all time, but this casting certainly suggests Lord Webber's not holding back when it comes to populating his Oz. Can't wait to find out who the Tin Man, the Lion and the Scarecrow are...

Photo by Gabrielle Crawford, showing Andrew Lloyd Webber, Danielle Hope (Dorothy) and Michael Crawford (The Wizard).