For another year, Love Island has swept the nation and had all of us getting far too involved in other people’s relationships. Love them or hate them, the characters in the villa have definitely had our tongues wagging. And, they’ve also got us thinking. If life were a musical, who would they play? We’ve paired each main and/or current Love Island contestant with their West End counterpart. Would you agree with our casting?
Dani Dyer is Anna from The King And I
A wise woman who’s trying to teach a brood of young people to behave in a “proper” way. A woman who turns the head of a previous womaniser and makes him change his ways. Dani, the proverbial mother of Love Island, has selflessly helped everyone on the island and stood up for what she believes is right. She also threatens to go home whenever things don’t go her way so, you know.
Jack Fincham is Timon from The Lion King
Loyal – like ACTUALLY loyal unlike other people in the villa *ahem*. The born wingman. The cheerleader. The man full of lessons and advice, despite being wrong most of the time. He’s loveable and your dream pal. Plus, he’ll feed you terrible food if he has to.
Wes Nelson is Bruce Bogtrotter from Matilda The Musical
The boy whose eyes are bigger than his stomach. Wes literally wanted his cake and eat it when he was approached by Megan. The 21-year-old wanted to stay in his relationship with Laura while “getting to know” Megan. But he came unstuck when Laura told him to stuff it and pursue Megan. And just like Bruce, he struggled at first thinking the “cake” had defeated him but he powered through and was a very happy boy by the end.
Megan Barton Hason is Donna from Mamma Mia!
First there was Eyal… or was it Dr Alex followed by Eyal? Then there was Wes. Then there was Alex. Then there was Dean. Then there was Alex. Then there was Wes. Megan has had a hard time making her mind up – just like Donna. And though she had to kiss a few frogs, she finally found her prince in Wes… we think.
Laura Anderson is Effie from Dreamgirls
Arguably the star of Love Island 2018, Laura has not had the smoothest run in the villa. Just like Effie, she’s had men make her believe she’s the one only to be dashed aside for a shinier model. And just like Effie, after some reflection and time, she makes peace with her rivals. And I am telling you, she ain’t going nowhere…
Paul Knops is the Sultan in Aladdin
He’s older, he’s wiser (to some degree), he doesn’t say much and he’s the perfect father according to Laura. Paul has stepped into the villa and brought a sense of maturity.
Alex George is The Phantom from The Phantom Of The Opera
Everyone felt sorry for Alex. He wasn’t like the other boys in the villa and some of the new girls tried their hardest to like him. But when it came to dealing with rejection, the nice guy mask came off and he didn’t handle it very well. Now, he’s trapped Alexandra in a couple which she can’t escape for the rest of the time on the show…
Alexandra Cane is Galinda from Wicked
Poor beautiful Alexandra. She’s chosen a boy who doesn’t like her but circumstance means she can’t do anything about it. But it’s okay. Everyone else still thinks she’s great. She’ll always be popular.
Georgia Steele is Roxie from Chicago
Despite some shady goings on at the start of this year’s Love Island, Georgia became the stand out villain of this year’s Majorca exploits. The loud, brash youngster won over the public when Josh did the dirty on her during the Casa Amor twist, but she didn’t ride on the innocent good girl long. Just like Roxie, she lied, cheated, tried to steal “someone else’s man” and all with a sweet smile on her face. If these two aren’t kindred spirits, we don’t know who is!
Sam Bird is Elder Price from The Book Of Mormon
When he first stepped in, he was the golden boy. He put Adam in his place and he treated the women with respect. But it was soon clear that this nice guy had his own agenda and was probably a little more deluded than we all thought. But he believed. He believed in himself and the girl of his dreams. He took himself to hell by splitting up with Georgia and staying in the villa. But in the end, he put his faith where it needed to be and left the show with a girlfriend.
Josh Denzel is Scott Hastings from Strictly Ballroom
Playing by the rules? Doing what others think you should. Pfft. Not for Josh. This Romeo dared to break the rules and ended up winning. When he met Kazimir in Casa Amor, you couldn’t stop him from dancing. He defied convention and went for the girl despite being in a relationship and now he’s happier and more loved up than ever.
Kazimir Crossley is Raven from Bat Out Of Hell
Starcrossed lovers. Forbidden fruit. Whatever you want to call it. Josh and Kaz’s romance definitely rocked the boat. As did Strat and Raven’s relationship. But even with external forces impeding their coupling, nothing stopped them.
Samira Mighty is Eponine from Les Misérables
Oh, Samira. Just like Eponine, you fell for a guy who had eyes for someone else. Then, you eventually sacrificed yourself for that man. Okay, you and Frankie eventually ended up together but there wasn’t anything you wouldn’t do for him.
Frankie Foster is Fiyero from Wicked
He swept into town with his eyes on the most popular girl in school… I mean villa. But he eventually ended up with the genuine, good-hearted girl that he dismissed too quickly at the start. He eventually saw there was more to a relationship than initial attraction and ended up with an absolutely gorgeous girl inside and out.
If you’re planning on watching the final on Monday 30 July, why not head to the Bush Theatre where they’ll be screening it.
Has that got you in the mood for a show? Get London theatre tickets, here. You can always watch Love Island on catch up…