The Big Life London Reviews and Tickets

95%

(128 Ratings)

Positive

98%

Mixed

Negative

Members say

Entertaining, Delightful, Clever, Absorbing, Great singing

About the Show

The Olivier-nominated ska musical combining 'Love's Labours Lost' with the stories of Windrush immigrants.

Ferdy, Bernie, Dennis, and Lennie are on board the HMT Empire Windrush, travelling from the West Indies for a new life in England. Knowing that building a new life for themselves will take sacrifice, the young men make a pact to forgo wine and women for three years in order to devote their time to building their futures in London.

Sybil, Mary, Zulieka, and Kathy have other ideas. They are put to the test as the reality of life in a less-than-welcoming England, not to mention the weather, makes forgoing the warmth of female company hard to resist. Will the men stick with their idea of The Big Life, or will Cupid have the final say?

Paul Sirett's ska musical returns to London after 20 years, where it initially received an Olivier Award nomination for Best New Musical.

This production is directed by Tinuke Craig (Baylis Director at the Old Vic), and is recommended for ages 10+.

Show-Score Member Reviews (21)

85%

Absorbing, Edgy, Entertaining, Profound, Resonant

See it if You're interested in Windrush stories and what black people had to deal with when they arrived.

Don't see it if You're not interested in hearing about the Windrush.

100%

Entertaining, Funny, Great Acting, Great Singing

See it if you want to be pleasantly surprised.

Don't see it if you want serious drama

100%

Absorbing, Clever, Delightful, Enchanting, Entertaining

See it if If you get a chance to see this show, do yourself a favour and go. It is most enjoyable.

Don't see it if I can't think of anything negative to say about it. Read more

100%

Absorbing, Great Acting, Great Singing, Hilarious, Must See

See it if You like musicals with a strong story and great music

Don't see it if No reason not to see it

95%

Ambitious, Clever, Delightful, Enchanting, Entertaining

See it if You like to be educates about the windrush era and engaged with good music and have a laugh!

Don't see it if You don’t like any of the above!

100%

Amazing, Delightful, Entertaining

See it if The sing dancing and the story line the whole show was win win

Don't see it if N/A

84%

Entertaining, Great Acting, Great Singing, Great Staging, Great Writing

See it if Great vibes musical with comedy and heart

Don't see it if you don't like ska music

100%

Clever, Current, Delightful, Entertaining, Thought Provoking

See it if A musical based on arrivals from the Carribbean on the Windrush. With love, laughs and the honesty of the way that generation was treated

Don't see it if You are not interested in The Windrush Generation and their lives, loves and disappointments on how they we're treated then and today.