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Centered primarily around the West End,
London's world famous theatre scene plays host not only to international hit musicals (many of
which began in London), but productions that have successfully made the transition from New York's
Broadway.
With an enviable reputation for producing both quality, big budget shows and
innovative drama/satirical plays, London's theatres consistently attract the cream of British,
American and International stars such as Madonna, Gwenneth Paltrow, Kathleen Turner, Kevin Spacey
and Nicole Kidman. However, as well as established box office smashes, London has a vibrant fringe
theatre scene, where productions (usually staged at smaller venues for limited periods) can be seen
for a fraction of the cost of the most popular musicals and plays.
As theatre is extremely popular with Londoners, tickets for the most
successful plays and musicals can be difficult to obtain. Hence, as a rule, it's advisable
(particularly for overseas visitors) to book well in advance to avoid disappointment. In such
cases, a good option is to use a company such as Globaltickets who have offices (or agents) in 23
countries including Australia, France, Germany, South Africa and the USA. Check out their website
www.globaltickets.com for prices, terms
and other information. Alternatively, check out our range of tickets
for popular shows such as We Will Rock You, Chicago, Mamma Mia and The Lion
King.
If you've decided to see a show after arriving in London,
pay a visit to the half price ticket booth at the southern end of Leicester Square. Although
tickets are only available for the day of the performance (meaning that availability may be
limited) prices can be discounted by up to 50%. Alternatively, you can visit (or call) the relevant
theatre box office to enquire whether 'returns' are available i.e. tickets that have been booked by
a customer, but where they are unable to attend.
Another reasonable option (for advanced bookings) is to use a ticket agent
such as Ticketmaster UK. Although booking fees are levied on each ticket, such
companies usually have good ticket availability, not only for theatre shows, but pop concerts,
comedy evenings and sporting events in London and other UK venues.
A selection of popular theatres and current productions are listed below.
Where websites exist for a particular production we've provided an appropriate link.
Alternatively, reliable online sources for theatre listings are www.londontheatre.co.uk and www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk.
Strand, WC2E 7NA, Tel: 0870 403 0303, Current show:
Evita (Musical), Show Website: www.evitathemusical.com, Weekly performance schedules: Mon-Sat 7.30pm, Matinee performances on Thurs and Sat at 2.30pm, Running time: 2hrs 20mins with one interval.
Tube: Charing Cross,
Show Map
Back on the London stage after an absence of more than twenty years, this musical, created by Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice, is based around the life of the enigmatic Eva
Perón, wife of the Argentinian dictator Juan
Perón. Argentinian star, Elena Roger takes on the lead role of Eva, with Philip Quast as her husband.
49 Aldwych, WC2, Tel: 020 7379 5399, Current show: Dirty Dancing (Musical), Show
Website: www.dirtydancinglondon.com ,
Weekly performance schedules: Mon-Thu & Sat 7:45pm, Fri 8:30pm, Matinees Fri 5:15pm, Sat 3pm,
Running time: 2hrs 30mins with one interval, Tube: Covent
Garden,
Show Map
Based on the 1987 film 'Dirty Dancing', starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, this is a classic boy meets girl story set in the 1950s. Georgina Rich stars as Frances 'Baby' Houseman, who while on the annual family holiday, falls in love with Johnny (played by Josef Brown), the holiday camp's dance teacher, from 'the wrong side of the tracks'.
Apollo Victoria Theatre
17 Wilton Road, SW1V 1LL, Tel: 020 7416 6070, Current show: Wicked (Musical), Show Website: www.wickedthemusical.co.uk, Weekly performance schedules: Mon-Sat
7:30pm, Matinees Wed and Sat 2.30, Running time: 2hrs 45 mins with one interval, Tube: Victoria,
Show Map
Wicked tells the "untold story" of the two characters Elphaba and Glinda who would later become the two witches in 'The Wizard Oz'. Idina Menzel plays Elphaba, who goes on to become the 'Wicked Witch Of The West", while Helen Dallimore takes the role of Glinda, 'The Good Witch'. Fans of the BBC series 'The Young Ones', will recognise Nigel Planer, who stars as The Wizard.
Earlham Street, WC2 9HH, Tel: 0870 890 1102, Current show:
Chicago (Musical), Show Website: www.chicagothemusical.com, Weekly performance schedules: Mon-Thu 8.00pm, Fri
4.30pm and 8.00pm, Sat 3pm and 8pm, Running time: 2hrs 30mins with one interval, Tube: Covent Garden,
Show Map
A tale of murder and deceit which won six Tony Awards in the US in 1997. Now starring
Aoife Mullholland (who was one of the finalists in the BBC programme "How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?", to cast the new Maria in the London revival of The Sound Of Music) as 'Roxie Hart', a chorus girl with a penchant for murder as well as a good
sing-song. Also starring Annette McLaughlin as 'Velma Kelly', Ian Kelsey as 'Billy
Flynn', Julian Sims as 'Amos Hart' and Brenda Edwards as 'Mama Morton'.
Criterion Theatre
Piccadilly Circus, W1V 9LB, Tel: 0870 060 2313, Current show: The 39 Steps (Comedy), Show Website: None. Weekly performance schedules: Mon-Sat 7.45pm, Matinees Tues 3.00pm and Sat 4.00pm. Running time: 2hrs with one interval, Tube: Piccadilly Circus
Comedy adaptation of the John Buchanan whodunnit, which was famously translated onto the big screen by Alfred Hitchcock. The cast of only four have to take on nearly one hundred and fifty different roles throughout the play, but no corners have been cut from the plot and well-known scenes like the chase on the Flying Scotsman and the gripping finale at the London Palladium are recreated, albeit humourously.
Tottenham Court Road, W1P 0AG, Tel 0870 169 0116,
Current show: We Will Rock You (Musical), Show Website: www.queenonline.com, Weekly performance schedules: Mon-Sat 7.30pm, Matinee Sat 2.30pm, Running Time: 2hrs 40mins with one interval, Tube: Tottenham Court
Road,
Show Map
Following in the footsteps of Abba's Mamma Mia musical, We Will Rock You features songs by rock
group Queen, all set to a futuristic fictional story by Ben Elton. The close involvement of the
band's lead guitarist (Brian May) and drummer (Roger Taylor), as well as Robert De Niro, results in
exhilarating versions of classic Queen tracks. Panned by critics, but loved by audiences, the
show is due to open in Toronto in 2007, with a North American tour also on the cards. The show is due to end its London run in October 2007, after which it will embark on a tour of the UK.
Fortune Theatre
Russell Street, WC2B 5HH, Tel: 0870 060 6626, Current show: The Woman In Black (Thriller), Show Website: www.thewomaninblack.com, Weekly performance schedules: Mon-Sat 8.00pm, Matinees Tues 3.00pm and Sat 4.00pm, Running time: 2hrs with one interval, Tube: Covent Garden
Long running stage adaptation of Susan Hill's award winning novel. A young solicitor, Arthur Kipps (played by Robert Demeger) is still haunted by his encounter with a mysterious woman in black some years ago. In an attempt to come to terms with his terrifying memories, he hires an actor to him him relive his experiences. However, as things progress, the truth of what he experiened becomes ever more frightening. Critics have described this as truly nerve-shredding experience.
New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1 9DT, Tel: 020 7401 9919, Current plays staged:
Shakespeare (Various), Theatre Website: www.shakespeares-globe.org, Tube: London Bridge,
Show Map
Founded by the late Sam Wannamaker, Bankside's Globe Theatre is a faithful reconstruction of the
original wooden structure that burnt down in 1613. With plays staged in the open air, the audience
either stand in the courtyard or sit in covered balconies. Refer to the theatre's website (listed
above) for details of the 2007 season.
Haymarket, St James’s, SW1Y 4QL, Tel: 0870 160 2878,
Current show: Phantom of the Opera (Musical), Show Website: www.thephantomoftheopera.com, Weekly
performance schedules: Mon-Sat 7.45pm with afternoon matinee performances at 2.30pm on Tues and Sat.
Running time 2 hours and 30 minutes with one interval, Tube: Piccadilly Circus,
Show Map
Already in its twentieth year, this ever popular Andrew Lloyd Webber musical has spawned an international phenomenon, with productions now being staged in more than 60 countries. Michael Crawford was cast as the production's original "Phantom"(successfully reprising the role on Broadway) and remains the most popular actor to take on the role. The London show's current Phantom is Earl Carpenter, with Rachel Barrell starring as Christine Daae. The story itself is one of love and tragedy set around the Paris Opera. An enduring classic, it is the highest-grossing theatre production of all time, with box office earnings approaching £2 billion and more than 55 million tickets sold worldwide.
8 Argyll Street, W1A 3AB, Tel: 0870 890 1108, Current show: The Sound Of Music (Musical), Show Website: www.soundofmusiclondon.com, Weekly performance schedules: Mon and Wed-Sat 7.30pm, Tues 7.00pm, Matinees
Wed and Sat 2.30pm, Tube: Oxford
Circus,
Show Map
The famous Rodgers and Hammerstein musical returned to the London stage in November 2006. It is based on the book 'The Story Of The Trapp Family Singers', by Maria Von Trapp. In the musical, Maria, who was studying in Salzburg to become a nun, is appointed governess to Captain Georg Ritter von Trapp's seven, initially hostile children. But through the wonder of song, she eventually wins them over. She also wins the heart of Captain von Trapp too. After marrying him, the family escapes to Switzerland before the start of world War II. For the London revival, Andrew Lloyd Webber and the BBC held a talent show, 'How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?' to cast the new Maria. The role was eventually won by Connie Fisher. Well-known English Soprano Lesley Garrett also stars as the Mother Abess.
21 Wellington Street, WC2E 7DA, Tel 0870 243 9000, Current
show: The Lion King (Musical), Show Website: www.disney.co.uk, Weekly performance schedules: Tue-Sat 7.30pm with afternoon
matinee performances at 2pm on Wed and Sat. Also Sun at 3pm (Running time 2 hours and 45 minutes),
Tube: Charing Cross,
Show Map
The animated Disney movie bought to the stage with lavish animal costumes and fantastic puppets.
The music is scored by Elton John with lyrics by Tim Rice.
Lyric Theatre
Shaftesbury Avenue, W1V 7HA, Tel: 0870 890 1107, Current show: Cabaret (Musical), Show Website: none, Weekly performance schedules: Mon -Sat 7.45 Matinees Wed and Sat 3.00pm, Tube: Piccadilly Circus.
An ambitious revival of the Kander and Ebb musical, set in early 1930s Berlin. Berlin at that time was one of the most liberal, tolerant and decadent cities in the world, but the growing spectre of Nazism loomed large. The musical tries to represent the spirit of these times and stars Anna Maxwell Martin (who starred in the BBC's acclaimed version of Dickens' "Bleak House") in the lead role, playing Sally Bowles. Be aware that the show does contain brief scenes of nudity.
Lyttelton, Southbank, SE1 9PX, Tel: 020 7452 3000, Current shows: various www.nt-online.org, Weekly performance
schedules: (check National Theatre Website for specific dates), Tube: Waterloo,
Show Map
Various plays currently being staged. Check NT website for more information.
Drury Lane, WC2B 5PW, Tel 0870 890 0141, Current show: Blue Man Group, Show Website: www.bluemangroup.co.uk, Weekly performance schedules: Mon and Tues, Thurs and Fri 8.00pm, Sat 3.00pm,
6.00pm and 9.00pm and Sun 3pm. Running time: 1hr 30mins, Tube: Covent Garden,
Show Map
The Blue Man Group is billed as a mix of theatre, concert and comedy all in one, accompanied by a large amount of paint. And the critics seem to love it, with the Guardian saying "it's 100 minutes at full throttle" and Time Out magazine declaring the show as "unmissable". So if you are looking for entertainment that's a bit out of the ordinary, let the Blue Man Group entertain you.
Noel Coward Theatre
St Martin's Lane, WC2N 5AU, Tel 0870 850 9175, Current show: Avenue Q, Show Website: www.avenueqthemusical.co.uk, Weekly performance schedules: Mon - Thurs 8.00pm, Fri 8.45pm and Sat 8.30pm, Matinees 5.45pm Fri and Sat 5.00pm. Running time: 2hrs 10mins, Tube: Leicester Square
The London production of the award winning Broadway musical is, to all intents and purposes an adult version of Sesame Street, athough the show's producers are at pains to point out that it's actually a totally separate venture. The full puppet nudity and "puppet sex" are also a clue that it's not one for the kids. But the adults seem to love this mainly puppet portrayal of life on average street. Even the "Hoff" (David Hasselhoff) has apparently taken time out to see the London production.
Palace Theatre
Shaftesbury Avenue, W1V 8AY, Tel: 0870 895 5579, Current show - Monty Python's Spamalot (Musical), Show Website: www.spamalotlondon.com, Weekly performance schedules Mon-Sat 8.00pm, Matinees Tues and Sat 3.00pm. Running Time 2hrs 20mins with one interval. Tube: Leicester Square
The promotional material says "A new musical, lovingly ripped off from the motion picture Monty Python and the Holy Grail". We couldn't summarise it any better ourselves! The production currently stars Simon Russell Beale as King Arthur.
Phoenix Theatre
Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0JP, Tel: 0870 060 6629, Current show - Blood Brothers (Musical), Show Website: www.theambassadors.com, Weekly performance schedules Mon-Sat 7.45pm, Matinee Sat 4.00pm. Running Time 2hrs 30mins with one interval. Tube: Tottenham Court Road
Willy Russell's award-winning play has now been running for nearly 20 years. It tells the story of two twins who are separated at birth, but who's paths cross again in later life, with tragic consequences. Antony Costa, formerly a member of the chart topping boy band "Blue" is currently playing the lead role of Mickey. Maureen Nolan (of the Nolans) stars as Mrs Johnstone.
Piccadilly Theatre
Denman Street, W1V 8DY, Tel: 0870 060 6630, Current show - Guys and Dolls (Musical), Show Website: www.guysanddollsthemusical.com, Weekly performance schedules Mon-Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Wed and Sat 2.30pm. Running Time 2hrs 40mins with one interval. Tube: Piccadilly Circus
The acclaimed musical by Frank Loesser returns to the London stage after an absence of more than 20 years, with Don Johnson (of Miami Vice fame) playing the lead role of Nathan Detriot. Detriot is a small time petty crook in New York, trying to stage a crap (dice) game for a group of "high rolling" gamblers, while being harassed by the local cops. Detriot needs $1000 to secure the venue for the game, so has a wager with a fellow gambler, Sky Masterson (played by Norman Nuttall) who'll bet on anything, that he won't be able to make the next "broad" he meets fall in love with him. As she turns out to be missionary from the "Save A Soul Mission, it looks like Masterson has his work cut out to win the bet! Guys and Dolls is considered by some to be the greatest "Broadway" and by all accounts, the London production manages to create a lot of the New York magic.
Playhouse Theatre
Northumberland Avenue, WC2N 5DE, Tel: 0870 060 6631, Current show - Dancing In The Streets (Musical), Show Website: none. Weekly performance schedules Mon-Sat 8.00pm, Matinees Fri 3.00pm and Sat 5.00pm. Running Time 2hrs 45mins with one interval. Tube: Embankment
Popular musical that creates the sounds and excitement of the 60s Motown era in the city of Detroit. Features classic soul hits from the likes of The Four Tops, The Temptations, Lionel Ritchie and the legendary Stevie Wonder. Even if this show doesn't get you dancing in the streets, your feet will certainly be tapping.
Prince of Wales Theatre
Coventry Street, W1D 6AS, Tel: 0870 264 3333, Current show - Mamma Mia! (Musical), Show Website: www.mamma-mia.com, Weekly performance schedules Mon-Thurs 7.30pm, Fri 8.30pm and Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Fri 5.00pm and Sat 3.00pm. Running Time 2hrs 30mins with one interval. Tube: Leicester Square
Now in its seventh year, Mammia Mia! features twenty-two of Abba's greatest hits, cleverly woven into the musical's plot. The story takes place on a fictional island, where a girl, Sophie, on the eve of her wedding, tries to discover the identity of her father, so that he can give her away at the altar. Based on information found in one of her mother Donna's old diaries, she invites three men to the Island (without Donna's knowledge), determined to find out which of them is her father. The Daily Telegraph reviewer said it was a pleasure to "see that girl, watch that scene and dig the Dancing Queen", so we think you'll get the idea.
Prince Edward Theatre
28 Old Compton Street, W1V 6HS, Tel: 0870 850 9197, Current show - Mary Poppins
(Musical), Show Website: www.marypoppinsthemusical.co.uk,
Weekly performance schedules Mon-Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Thurs and Sat 2.30pm.
Running Time 2hrs 45mins with one interval. Tube: Leicester Square,
Show Map
A joint production between Disney and Cameron Mackintosh sees Lisa O'Hare taking on the leading role as nanny Mary Poppins, who arrives at 17 Cherry Tree Lane to look after the Banks children. Or is it their parents who actually need looking after? Enjoyable entertainment for adults and children alike.
Shaftesbury Avenue, W1V 8BA, Tel 0870 950 0930, Current show: Les
Miserables (Musical), Show Website: www.lesmis.com, Weekly performance schedules Mon-Sat 7.30pm with afternoon
matinee performances at 2.30pm on Wed and Sat. Running Time 3hrs with one interval. Tube: Leicester Square,
Show Map
Adaptation of Victor Hugo's novel set in revolutionary France. Originally opened in London back in
1985 and has since been performed in 28 other countries across the globe.
Savoy Theatre
Strand, WC2R 0ET, Tel: 0870 164 8787, Current show - Porgy and Bess (Musical / Opera), Show Website: www.porgyandbess.co.uk, Weekly performance schedules Mon-Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Wed and Sat 2.30pm. Running Time 3hrs with one interval. Tube: Charing Cross
The original version of this classic musical/opera by Dubose Heyward, Ira and George Gershwin originally lasted more than 4 hours and was first performed in 1935. George Gershwin originally considered it to be an American folk opera. Set in the fictitious town of Catfish, South Carolina, Porgy and Bess is both a love story and a comment on the life of African Americans in the 1930s.
Trevor Nunn's shortened adaptation has been hailed as "A spectacular theatrical evening pounding with passionate song" by The Times and stars Clarke Peters as Porgy and Nicola Hughes as Bess.
St Martin's Theatre
West Street, WC2H 9NZ, Tel:0870 162 8787, Current show: The Mousetrap (Whodunnit), Show Website: www.the-mousetrap.co.uk, Weekly performance schedules Mon-Sat 8.00pm with afternoon matinee performances at 2.45pm on Tues and 5.00pm on Sat. Running Time 2hrs 15mins with one interval. Tube: Leicester Square
The longest running theatre play in the world, this Agatha Christie whodunnit has been entertaining audiences for fifty-five years and seems likely to continue for a good while yet. A London institution.
Theatre Royal - Drury Lane
Catherine Street, WC2B 5JF, Tel: 0870 890 6002, Current show: None - Lord Of The Rings from 9 May 2007, Show Website: www.lotr.com , Weekly performance schedules: Mon-Sat 7.30pm, matinees Wed and Sat 2.00pm. Running Time TBA. Tube: Covent Garden,
Show Map
With a cast of more than 50 and costing more than £12 million to stage,
this lavish adaptation of Tolkien's masterpiece has been wowing audiences for over a year
now. However, having recently posted closing notices, the last scheduled performance of
the play will take place on 19th July, before plans are taken forward to tour Europe and
Australia.
Vaudeville Theatre
Strand, WC2R 0NH, Tel: 0870 890 0511, Current show - Stomp (Musical), Show Website: www.stomp.co.uk, Weekly performance schedules Tue-Sat 8.00pm, Matinees Sat, Sun and Thurs 3.00pm. Running Time 1hr 45mins with one interval. Tube: Charing Cross
Now in it's fifth year at the Vaudeville Theatre, Stomp is high energy combination of dance and percussion, with household objects such as dustbin lids, brooms and buckets used to create a veritable symphony of noise.
Victoria Palace Theatre
Victoria Street SW1 5EA, Tel: 0870 890 6002, Current show: Billy Elliott (Musical), Show Website: www.billyelliottthemusical.com , Weekly performance schedules: Mon-Sat 7.30pm, matinees Thurs and Sat 2.30pm. Running Time 3hrs with one interval. Tube: Victoria
Musical version of the successful British film, with music by Elton John. Set against the backdrop of life in a northern English mining town in the 1980s, this is an enjoyable, feel good story of a young boy's dream to become a dancer with the Royal Ballet. His father on the other hand, wants him to become a boxer! The story comes with a good dose of sharp northern humour. The Independent newspaper described Billy Elliott as "Beautifully uplifting", while the Daily Telegraph's critic hailed it as "The greatest British musical I've ever seen".
Wyndham's Theatre
Charing Cross Road WC2H 0DA, Tel: 0870 950 0925, Current show: The History Boys (Play), Show Website: www.thehistoryboys.co.uk , Weekly performance schedules: Mon-Sat 7.30pm, matinees Thurs and Sat 2.30pm. Running Time 2hrs 45mins with one interval. Tube: Leicester Square
The National Theatre's adaptation of Alan Bennett's award-winning play. Regarded by many as one of his finest, this is a sharp witty story of life in a northern English school, dealing with a group of adolescent sixth formers growing up (as well as the intense staffroom rivalry between the headmaster and his teachers). Stephen Moore takes the lead role of Hector.
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