london trip show ideas

[MoDance0934]

Posted: 4/14/16 at 6:29pm

Hello!

I will be hopping across the pond to London, England from May 21st - 28th. This trip was planned to celebrate my college graduation. While we are in London, my mother, aunt and I plan to see a West End production. Many people who have traveled to England told me that the musicals and plays are 10x better compared to Broadway (I am from the Greater New York City area so I've been exposed to almost every Broadway show). We are open to anything. We have even considered going to a symphony concert or a dance performance, rather than seeing a West End production. What is the hot ticket over in London? What should we be aware of?

I am really looking forward to this trip. I spent a semester in Vienna, Austria but never got the chance to make a weekend excursion to England. All of your feedback is helpful!

[Just_John]

Posted: 4/14/16 at 7:58pm

I have gone to the West End from NYC a few times over the last 5 years and I have seen 95% of what has been on Broadway in the last ten years. I had always heard that the West End does straight plays better but their musicals are sub-par in comparison, which has been my exact experience.  The first show I saw in the West End was A Little Night Music and it was absolutely heinous.  When I saw the same production once it transferred, it was one of my favorite productions of that year and I found out it was a comedy.  

Then La Cage, which also transferred, I think lost a lot of the appeal of that specific production once it moved to Broadway because it became a bigger spectacle, but the actors and dancers, were all definitely much more talented on Broadway.  Then Sister Act on the West End was like amateur actors getting to be in a show with a big Broadway star, Patina Miller, who was the only cast member they pulled out of New York.  

Not to say that the theater in London isn't fantastic, because it is and I wish I could see more of it, but I don't think going with the expectation that everything is better than here because that is definitely not the case. 

The only straight play I have seen in London was The Play that Goes Wrong, which I highly recommend, though it will move to New York in the fall. 

[ggersten]

Posted: 4/15/16 at 12:19am

So, my post got eaten.

First things - bookmark theatremonkey.com.  It has extensive listings of shows, prices, discounts, deals, times, days (most West End theatres are dark on Sunday, but not all), and day seats ("rush seats" in the US).  There are diagrams of seats with opinions on what is a good value with comments from people who have actually sat in those seats.   As to what to see - you may wish to visit a UK message board http://www.theatreboard.co.uk and peruse the postings there.  They also cover opera and dance.

Second - West End is a denomination but not all theatres are "West End" even those in the West End such as the Donmar!  Look at what is happening across the Thames at The National, Southwark, Union, Menier, Young Vic and Old Vic.  And a couple of tube stops away from West End are Hampstead and Almeida. And there also is the Globe.  You will just have to do some research into what is being offered (if not listed on theatremonkey) Also timeoutlondon.com has lots of listings, reviews and deals on tickets.   

Third - the TKTS booth in Leicester square is used mainly by tourists and doesn't have the best deals.  There are lots of ticket booths but make sure they are STAR,and therefore legitimate.  The booths can be very helpful not just for day of tickets but discounts in advance.  That said, you can sometimes get a better deal directly at the box office especially day of - if you ask very nicely "Is there anything you can do" in terms of better seat location and price.  But be nice and respectful.  

As for Just_John's comments, UK musicals are a bit down right now.  The only UK musicals (which haven't transferred to the US sometime in the past ) are Mrs. Henderson Presents (closing in June), Sunny Afternoon - a biomusical of the Kinks (which we saw at the Hampstead and loved) and Charlie which I wouldn't waste my money on.  Oh, and then there's Thriller.  Otherwise, it's American imports or revivals (Guys and Dolls, Funny Girl) or UK originals still playing - Les Miserables and Phantom.  

I don't know that musicals are worse than on Broadway - it just depends. Many theatres are smaller so the shows may feel more intimate  Plays are a big draw.  People Places and Things seems to be a hot show with a performance by Denise Gough that some say is not to be missed.  Kenneth Branagh is directing Romeo and Juliet with an interesting cast - and a run time of two hours?.  Nell Gwynn won best new comedy - but i know nothing about it.  You really should not miss The Play That Goes Wrong which is Noises Off without the plot - and is hysterical.  

Other tidbits - playbills known as programmes are not free.  Ice cream is required dining during the interval (aka intermission) - marvel at the safety curtain during the interval.  Definitely order drinks for the interval when you get to the theatre.  Shows do tend to start on time - so don't be late.  

 

 

[ggersten]

Posted: 4/15/16 at 1:16am

There is a new musical which has first preview on may 27.  It is The Go Between.  Might be worth a shot 

[CathyFromLex]

Posted: 4/16/16 at 8:29am

I will be in London at the end of April and one of the shows I have booked is Show Boat at the New London Theatre. It looks fantastic and I can't wait to see it!

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 4/16/16 at 6:37pm

I was in London at the end of March and I would say see "The Play That Goes Wrong", it is so funny and you will have good time. We also saw a "Curious Incident" and if you have not see it on Broadway, I highly recommend it.

[Callum_brown1]

Posted: 4/21/16 at 11:08pm

Romeo and Juliet with Lily James will be on while you're here - a very famous cast if you're into Shakespeare. I'm seeing People, Places and Things in a couple of weeks and have heard great things. Funny Girl is getting decent reviews too. I'm heading to New York at the beginning of June - perhaps you can give me some tips too haha?

[AuntSuzzy]

Posted: 4/22/16 at 1:38pm

I've been taking annual theatre indulgence trips to London for almost 20 years. ggersten's suggestions are right on. In addition to theater monkey, I highly suggest you check officiallondontheatre.co.uk. It lists almost every London theatrical performance, including off-West End and even pub theaters, and is easily searchable by category and date. I agree that you should consider non West End venues like the National, Donmar, the Almeida. These have enthusiastic subscribers, though, so it's sometimes difficult to get tickets. Same with Kenneth Branagh's repertory company. The Young Vic and the Menier Chocolate Factory have amazing productions and are very small; I've had incredible experiences at both. Have a great time!