Allen & Unwin The Faber Pocket Guide to Musicals book Music English Paperback 304 pages

With hit TV shows picking the leads in productions of Oliver! and The Sound of Music, and smash musicals like Hairspray and Wicked all the West End (of London) rage, musical theatre is as popular as it's ever been. James Inverne provides an indispensable guide to his top one hundred greatest shows of all time - and ten of the worst. Whether you know your Pal Joey from The Producers, your West Side Story from your Witch Witch, The Faber Pocket Guide to Musicals is packed with entertaining behind-the-scenes stories, essential songlists and comprehensive recording guides.Did you know, for instance, that one of the best recordings of Les Miserables is in Hewbrew? Or that the Mel Brooks wasn't the first person to want to make a musical of The Producers (it was Eric Idle)? Or the ridiculous story of the huge purpose-built theatre constructed in Holland to house a flop about Grace Kelly? James Inverne has been writing about musical theatre for years and brings copious knowledge, passion for the subject and a sense of fun to a genre that continues to entertain us all. Make the most of the musicals with this vital book.