Recommendations for Last Show Next Weekend In London

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 11/5/16 at 10:34pm

Hello all.

In London for a short visit Wednesday through Sunday. Seeing The Nose at covenant garden, the red barn at the national, Lear at the Old Vic, and the Last Five Years Saturday afternoon. Would love suggestions for my last slot Saturday evening. When in London, I typically prefer theater over musical, and make special effort to see the many legendary English thespians. Also, I would rather avoid productions that will inevitably be in New York or have come in from New York.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

update: I thought I had placed this in the West End thread! Nevertheless, I'm sure both sides of the pond  will have significant insight on this question!

Updated On: 11/5/16 at 10:34 PM

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 11/5/16 at 11:28pm

I'm not from the UK and haven't been to London in two years, but living vicariously through you, I would choose Ronald Harwood's The Dresser.

[broadwayguy91]

Posted: 11/5/16 at 11:45pm

The Railway Children

[rjm516]

Posted: 11/6/16 at 10:46am

Soo glad you are seeing TL5Y. I saw it last night, and my eyes are still super red and puffy. It was so well done and did they did the music justice. I haven't sobbed that hard (and had so much trouble staying close to silent!) in so long.

For the last spot, hmm. The other thing I really enjoy here is In the Heights. The current cast is decent, and although overall it doesn't feel at the same level as West End and Broadway shows should feel, it's a super fun and enjoyable production. I saw Side Show last week at the Southwark Playhouse, and for such a flawed show it was really moving and well done (but, such a flawed show). If you haven't seen it, I'd recommend it, but if you have I don't know if it's a show worth seeing again. 

I haven't yet seen Ragtime at the Charing Cross (tiny off-West End) but it is #1 on my to-do list. They always do very good shows and who doesn't love Ragtime. Honestly, in London I find the smaller productions off the West End (like at the Southwark) are much better than the actual West End productions. I saw No Man's Land and hated it (I also saw them on Broadway; glutton for punishment). Like others have said, the real British plays are the 'Goes Wrong' type that drive me crazy like a Ben Stiller movie and I get all cringey. But most people enjoy :) Lazarus is also here now (with Michael C Hall) but tickets are hella expensive.

Updated On: 11/6/16 at 10:46 AM

[Crazy NooNooHead]

Posted: 11/6/16 at 10:56am

I recently took a trip to London and saw The Play That Goes Wrong on my last night. If you're looking for something funny, I highly recommend it. I heard from a cast member that it might be coming to NY, but I don't think that's been confirmed, and even if it does, it would be with a different cast. I know you said you'd rather see a play than a musical, but I also saw Funny Girl on my trip and thought that was great too. No Man's Land has both Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart, and I think it starts performances the week of your trip, so if you missed it in NY a couple of years ago, you'll have a chance to catch it in London. Hope you have a great time!

[JBroadway]

Posted: 11/6/16 at 11:22am

I might recommend Oil at the Almeida. It got some good reviews, but mixed word-of-mouth based on my own experience. I personally thought it was brilliant, though not without some big flaws. It's very ambitious - reminded me a bit of a 21st century Skin of Our Teeth. I'd say Google it and decide whether it piques your interest. 

I also really enjoyed One Night In Miami at the Donmar warehouse.

Also, if you didn't catch Donmar's all-female Julius Caesar (with Harriet Walter) when it was in NY, they're doing it again in rep with the other 2 adjoining productions of The Tempest and Henry IV. The Tempest will be at St. Ann's in a few months, so no need to use up your slot on that, and Henry won't have begun in time for your trip, I don't think. If you haven't seen Caesar, though, I would highly recommend it. 

[steven22]

Posted: 11/6/16 at 11:58am

Lazarus and SideShow! 

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/6/16 at 3:04pm

An Inspector Calls