There is something magical about a musical. Music has such power to create a reaction, and done well, I think a musical form of a romance can really heighten the connection to the characters and the emotional charge of the story.

I am a very visual writer, and when I write I often picture scenes as they are in reality – or on the big screen of the Hollywood Golden Era, or the stage. I imagine that a musical version of Burning Embers would have a wonderful mix of music, from the thrumming drum beats and chants of the native music, to the exotic, sensual tones of the music to which people dance at Rafe’s nightclub, to touching and stirring ballads sung by Rafe and Coral.

If, like me, you love to be swept away in high romance, then I’m sure you will enjoy the following musicals, either on stage or in film format. For me, the old ones are the best – but with a new adaptation of Les Misèrables due out in January featuring the very dashing High Jackman and Russell Crowe, I may well be convinced otherwise…

1. The Phantom of the Opera: Live is best, I think, but the 1994 film was wonderfully atmospheric and dramatic, and Gerard Butler made for a smouldering phantom.
2. West Side Story: A modern-day Romeo and Juliet. Wonderful dancing and fabulous songs (‘Somewhere’ is beautiful), but you’ll need nerves of steel to cope with the ending.
3. Guys and Dolls: A light-hearted romance with a good deal of poignancy. I love the 1955 screen adaptation featuring Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, Frank Sinatra and Vivian Blaine.
4. Moulin Rouge: ‘Come What May’ gives me shivers, and the story itself has the key element of high romance: girl and boy from different worlds fall in love and try to beat the odds to be together.
5. My Fair Lady: A classic, and the song ‘I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face’ never fails to create that warm, fuzzy feeling inside.
6. Singin’ in the Rain: The chemistry between Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds makes for a magical romance.
7. Funny Face: Who can resist Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire, and a score by the Gershwins? Quite simply, s’wonderful.
8. The King and I: Rogers and Hammerstein at their finest; ‘We Kiss in the Shadow’ makes me melt.
9. The Sound of Music: Who can fail to be charmed by this simple story of love, set against the backdrop of danger and intrigue?
10. Gigi: I’ve a soft spot for this musical, I think because of its Parisian setting. It’s most famous for the song ‘Thank Heaven for Little Girls’, but there’s a good deal of romance here too.

What do you think? Which musicals would you add to the list? What’s the one musical you’d go to for a special evening with your loved one?