Help with London Trip July 13-15

[Wickedmonkey332]

Posted: 6/21/16 at 10:49am

Hi, I will be passing through London for 3 nights July 13-15 and hope to see 2-3 shows during my time there. I definitely want to see Sheridan Smith in Funny Girl, but I am having trouble deciding on the other 1-2 shows. I enjoy plays and musicals equally, and have already seen all of the shows that have been produced in the US (Matilda, Stomp, Lion King, Kinky Boots, Curious Incident, Wicked, Beautiful, Aladdin, etc.) I love the book version of 1984 but haven't heard much about the play, what is the general opinion on the current production/cast? I have also never seen The Mousetrap but have no notion of the shape it is in after 60+ years. Is it still worth seeing? I am also interested in Show Boat, Richard III (Lottery), The Truth, possibly In The Heights (a show I have seen many times in the US), and anything that anyone would consider a MUST-SEE. Any opinions or advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Broadway_Boy]

Posted: 6/21/16 at 11:33am

I live in NYC but spend a lot of time in London.  I definitely recommend In the Heights as someone who saw it many times on Broadway.  It's staged in the round and is a fantastic re-creation.  I hope you get to catch Smith in Funny Girl.  She was phenomenal.. I've heard Titanic is fantastic and am planning on seeing that next week when I am there.  The Spoils is a great play if you missed it in NY.  Guys and Dolls is also supposed to be wonderful.  I'm seeing it next week for the first time, mainly for Rebel Wilson. 

[mkmswain]

Posted: 6/21/16 at 11:57am

Show Boat and In the Heights are highly recommended, The Truth is good (though more comic/less moving than Zeller's The Father or The Mother), and 1984 is an excellent staging. Some strong shows at the Globe too: both Midsummer Night's Dream and Taming of the Shrew are worth catching if you don't get to see Richard III and still want a Shakespeare hit!

[Wickedmonkey332]

Posted: 6/21/16 at 12:07pm

I think I am adding In The Heights to my must-see list. I would like to fill the last spot with a Drama. Assuming I can't get into Richard III, should I try for 1984, The Truth, or maybe something at the National?? (MSND is sold-out for that week and I have no interest in Taming of The Shrew.)

[somechrysanthemumtea]

Posted: 6/26/16 at 5:25pm

Hi! I saw In The Heights on Friday 24th June, and was genuinely not impressed. Maybe it was something that night, and the actors were not at their best, but the production left me yearning for more. It just wasn't as exciting and interesting as I thought it would be. The sound design was terrible too, way too loud and voices were drowned out by the music. I'd skip the production, especially since you've seen it in the USA (I assume either on Bway or on tour). I'd recommend seeing The Suicide at the national but that just closed, i'm seeing threepenny opera on tuesday and will update you. 

[pjm-guy]

Posted: 7/5/16 at 1:20pm

We just returned from 6 days there, if you don't mind not going for the big names, "Bugsy Malone" at the Lyric Hammersmith was a lot of fun and "A Comedy About a Bank Robbery" had us laughing all throughout!

[diffrentconversation]

Posted: 7/5/16 at 6:04pm

In London.   Saw In the Heights on Sunday Evening.   The first act was well sung.   The second act energy was up three notches as the Company was on fire!

Saw first half of Funny Girl last night.....  First time we walked out a show since Legs Diamond in the 1980s. See the move on Netflix.   Without Sheridan Smith it fell very flat for us.

[Taboolie2]

Posted: 7/6/16 at 7:59pm

Go for a boat day, like I did: Showboat matinee and Titanic evening.

The Fix at the Union Theatre - great casting and always great value from this off- west end venue.

[ggersten]

Posted: 7/8/16 at 4:01am

Taboolie2 said: "Go for a boat day, like I did: Showboat matinee and Titanic evening.

The Fix at the Union Theatre - great casting and always great value from this off- west end venue.

 

"

Yes but the new place may lack the charms of the original

[imeldasturn]

Posted: 7/8/16 at 4:36am

Yes but the new place may lack the charms of the original

"

Hopefully it will have better toilets 

[ggersten]

Posted: 7/8/16 at 10:54am

imeldasturn said: "Yes but the new place may lack the charms of the original

"

Hopefully it will have better toilets 

 

"

Those toilets were much of the charm! (Ok-we always went elsewhere)

[felixng]

Posted: 7/10/16 at 5:17pm

I'd say go see Show Boat as they have really good reviews and it is kind of a classic.  Go to In the Heights if you are not bored of it, but this production really is something else as it is in a really small theatre and you get to see everyone so up close!  (See what I wrote about the London Production of In The Heights here: http://blog.ensemblr.co/in-the-heights/)

I saw 1984 the other week - I have personally not read the book so it was a lot to take in for me - a lot of deep thinking.  But I think it would be really enjoyable for someone who has read/love the book.  My blog post review of it: http://blog.ensemblr.co/seeing-1984-playhouse-theatre/  I try not to spoil too much so didn't put in a lot of details but hope this is helpful!

[Theatrefan2]

Posted: 7/10/16 at 9:24pm

Whatever you do, do not buy tickets before you go because there are deals on all the shows you have mentioned.  Except Funny Girl and I think for the price its too much.  I have seen it and while good you can see two shows for that one price.

[James1969]

Posted: 7/11/16 at 7:40am

Funny Girl has very good value front row Day Seats

[ggersten]

Posted: 7/23/16 at 12:13pm

So, wickedmonkey332, what did you end up seeing?