Top 10 Villainous Roles in Musical Theatre

Any plotline needs to have its villain. It makes the story juicier, it makes the tension rise, and often enough in musicals they get some killer songs, which we as audience members can bust out anytime when we’re feeling a little bit wicked. 

So to celebrate the spooky season, the Theatre Haus team has scoured the darkest depths of musical theatre scripts to find the most evil, and the most unforgettable, roles of all time. These characters not only thrill audiences with their immoral-ways, but command total respect onstage. And let’s face it… who doesn’t love playing a baddie from time to time. Check out our Top 10 below…

Mr. Hyde (‘Jekyll and Hyde’) 

Easily defined as a cult-classic, Mr. Hyde from Frank Wildhorn’s notorious dark musical ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ is just downright awful. For any male lead, this is one of the most difficult roles to play, as Hyde partners with his morally upstanding counterpart Doctor Jekyll for a split-personality performance. One of Hyde’s standout “bad-guy” moments is his killing spree during the song “Murder, Murder”. There’s also his appearance during “The Confrontation” where audiences learn the downright stage-five clinger ways of this satanic character. 

The Thenardiers (‘Les Miserables’)

While one could have easily thought Inspector Javert deserves a spot on this list, his tragedy lies in the fact that he is simply doing his job and gets a bad rep for it. As such, Inn Owners, The Thenardiers, make for a much better choice. While they provide the comedy relief with their song “Masters of the House” in ‘Les Miserables’, this pair is devilishly greedy and will do anything for money. Regarding their two daughters, one is even treated like royalty while the other is left to mop the floors and take out the trash. Victory lies in the storyline though, where one could say they get their just desserts. 

Sweeney Todd and Mrs Lovett (‘Sweeney Todd’) 

I mean, can you really have one without the other? While Sweeney Todd is literally titled the ‘demon barber of Fleet Street’ and goes about slicing the necks of his victims in a close shave, it’s Mrs Lovett’s idea of turning their corpses into pies that is just as bad, if not worse. It’s a serial killer and his accomplice type of relationship, which makes this pairing particularly villainous. You can learn all about their wicked ideas in “A Little Priest” where they believe their gruesome plans will “save a lot of graves” and “do a lot of relatives favours”. 

Orin Scrivello (‘Little Shop of Horrors’) 

Did you know that having a fear of dentists is called dentophobia? It’s an actual problem deep-rooted into some people’s psyches. That’s probably why half of us dislike this next role for his cruel, torturing ways. Enhancing everyone’s fear of root canals and drills, the sadistic dentist, Orin Scrivello, reinforces most of our dentistry nightmares. His song “Be A Dentist” in ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ describes his barbaric personality, which was built on a childhood abuse of animals and inflicting pain on others. Not to mention, he also enacts violence on the good-hearted Audrey, and he leaves most audiences “filling” downright uncomfortable (pun intended!). 

Agatha Trunchbull (‘Matilda: The Musical’) 

Roald Dahl’s books are literally bursting with every variation of villain, but the most evil of them all would definitely have to be the headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. This hammer-throwing, chokey-sending, child-hating beast literally terrorises Matilda and the students of Crunchem Hall Primary School. Portrayed as a man in drag for the musical adaptation, Trunchbull is a Broadway best when it comes to bad characters. 

Ursula (‘The Little Mermaid’) 

While she admits that she’s been quite nasty in the past, perhaps it’s Ursula’s relentless jealousy that lands her in our top villain picks. Manipulative, cold, and quite quick-witted, this sea witch offers Ariel a temporary opportunity to become human, and like all good contracts, Ariel should have read the bloody fine print. It would have undoubtedly revealed Ursula’s sinister plans. “Poor Unfortunate Souls” vouches for just how savage this character is. And if there’s anything we can take away from her evil ways, it’s to never forget the importance of body language. 

Scar (‘The Lion King’) 

If you’re a 90s kid, you’ll be on board with our complete detest for this character. While the animated version is more well known, the stage version shows audiences just what lengths this character will go to and what he can get away with. In the musical adaptation, Scar is ten-times more comical and diabolical. His thirst for power and appetite for evil is epitomised in “The Madness of King Scar”, where not only do we see more depth to the character, but in an ultimate cringeworthy move he tries wooing his nephew’s love-interest, Nala. 

Jud Fry (‘Oklahoma!’) 

Some say underestimated, we say a downright stalker with outrageous possessive qualities. Sir creeps Jud Fry lives in a shed, working on Aunt Eller’s farm and obsessing over the show’s female protagonist, Laurey. She’s totally not interested, but that doesn’t stop this disturbing character who won’t take no for an answer. Even when Curly visits him in his shack, does it show how bad this guy is. While some productions aim to cast Jud Fry in a more sympathetic light to show a differing perspective, his original interpretation is just a bit much. 

Bill Sikes (‘Oliver!’)

Next on our list is the violent, brutish thief, Bill Sikes, who is a malicious criminal part of Fagin’s gang in ‘Oliver!’. Having a reputation about town as being an extremely violent man, Sikes has the ability to make our little boots tremble. We should also point out that this guy beats dogs, so he really ain’t okay. While at times he may show an ounce of compassion, don’t take it for granted as his quick-temper and vicious ways take centre stage. Listen to “My Name”, which boasts about his scary reputation. True to form and quick to violence, Sikes will exploit you if he has the chance. 

Miss Hannigan (‘Annie’) 

Any musical theatre villain can be scary, but as Miss Hannigan shows us, they can also be somewhat comical too. As such, this role is quite memorable, especially when you have a wicked lady who ironically runs an orphanage yet despises the children in her charge. Miss Hannigan is also prone to bribery, extortion and kidnapping. She expresses her loathing in the song “Little Girls”, and in terms of her personality, well she’s also prone to bribery, extortion and kidnapping. Although, she’s so funny that she quickly becomes a villainess that we love to hate. 

Who’s your favourite musical theatre villain of all time? Think someone could be added to this list? Let us know in the comment sections below!