The Big Life is a feel-good ska musical which transports the plot of Shakespeare’s ‘Love’s Labours Lost’ to 1950s London. On the Windrush over from the Caribbean to England, a pact is made by a group of men not to get involved with women for three years while they work to better themselves: but Cupid has another plan. The Big Life roams through almost every conceivable emotion during its toe-tapping tale of Caribbean migrants striving for a better life in London.

Philip Hedley, who has only recently left his post as Artistic Director of Theatre Royal Stratford East, said this of the show: “In my 25 years at Stratford East, I have never known a show that has generated such a strong feeling from its audience. They wanted to come back and bring their family and friends to it.”

Looking to see some musical theatre? Find out more about London musicals.