Overview of London’s Theatre Scene
With a Shakespearean heritage and a famous West End that’s buzzing with star power, London is a dream city for fans of the theater. This article provides essential insights into London’s vibrant theater scene.
The Basics
West End and Other Major Players
The West End, located in central London, is London’s theater district, boasting around 40 venues. Renowned for its prestige comparable to Broadway, the West End showcases major productions in various genres including musicals, plays, comedies, and pantomime (a family-friendly musical comedy). Notable stage productions in the West End include the world-famous “Hamilton” at the Victoria Palace Theatre; “Matilda The Musical” at the Cambridge Theatre; “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” at the Palace Theatre; and the West End’s longest-running musical, “Les Misérables” at The Queen’s Theatre.
In addition to the illustrious West End, there are a number of impressive “non-commercial” theaters. Iconic independent theaters include the Old Vic and the Young Vic, situated on The Cut, a street in Waterloo by the South Bank. Another major institution in this area is the renowned National Theatre, which hosts up to twenty-five productions a year in its expansive complex featuring three auditoriums.
Off West End
Similar to Off Broadway, Off West End refers to “fringe” theaters in London located outside the primary theater district. Noteworthy venues include the Lyric Hammersmith, Bush Theatre, and the Donmar Warehouse.
Pub Theater
A unique facet of Off West End is pub theater, which features casual productions held in separate rooms within pubs. Renowned pubs include Earl’s Court’s award-winning Finborough, presenting both plays and musical theater, and Upstairs at The Gatehouse, a charming pub theater in Camden showcasing a variety of genres.
Shakespeare
London’s fondness for Shakespeare is evident, and classic performances are abundant in the capital. A great starting point is Shakespeare’s Globe, an open-air theater replicating the original Elizabethan playhouse set alongside the River Thames in Southwark. This venue offers guided tours and hosts famous plays by Shakespeare, with seating areas covered while standing areas, known as the yard, are exposed to the weather.
The Royal Shakespeare Company — based in Stratford-upon-Avon but consistently showing productions in London — currently features “The Taming of the Shrew.” Moreover, The Bridge Theatre is presenting a fully immersive rendition of the cherished comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” through August 2019.
Outdoor Theater
In addition to Shakespeare’s Globe, several outdoor venues emerge during summer. The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre stages performances including Shakespeare’s works, musicals, and operas, while the Holland Park Opera offers its signature productions amidst beautiful surroundings.
Song and Dance
Throughout the year, the historic Royal Opera House in Covent Garden hosts The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet, whereas The London Coliseum in the West End presents the English National Ballet.
How To Get Tickets
Online
Most tickets can be acquired online through individual show websites. To keep updated on new releases and ticket availability, consider looking into theater newsletters.
Additionally, other platforms, like TodayTix, offer last-minute tickets at reduced prices for over 50 shows in London via their website and app. They provide tickets for performances occurring that day as well as for shows scheduled up to thirty days in advance.
In Person
Virtually all theaters feature box offices, making it easy to purchase tickets in person and avoid online fees. For sold-out shows, checking the box office for late-release or returned tickets can be worthwhile.
Another effective approach to secure last-minute and discounted tickets is visiting the TKTS booth in Leicester Square, which offers tickets for same-day performances as well as for shows available up to a week in advance.
