Another London Trip - this one in May

[mar6411]

Posted: 4/29/17 at 11:31am

Apologies in advance for another one of these threads - I appreciate the input.  

I will be in London with my daughter for the first time ever at the end of May.  I have read all the threads up to now, but there are some new things coming and some things that were recommended are closing.  I have sort of narrowed it down but am looking to see if I've missed anything or if anyone has suggestions that I may have missed.  I'm particularly looking for play recommendations.  And I am not interested in anything that has been in NYC already.

The following are top recommendations from other threads, but either it's coming to NYC, it's not going to work with our schedule, or we have seen it in a different version and have to limit our choices: Harry Potter, Angels in America, Dreamgirls, 42nd St, Virginia Woolf

One suggestion was in an earlier thread was to go to the Globe and see Shakespeare there.  Romeo and Juliet will be there while we are.  Any thoughts on this?  

Musicals that got recommendations in other threads: Half a Sixpence, The Girls, The Life 

Plays: The Comedy about a Bank Robbery, Our Lady of Perpetual Sucour, The Goat, or who is Sylvia, 110 in the Shade, A Lie of the Mind, Lettice and Lovage 

We might see one musical and I'd be interested in play recommendations - we both see a lot of theater and are pretty open to anything.  That said, I'm more conventional while my daughter is more open - but we don't have to see the same thing.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Mary

 

 

[imeldasturn]

Posted: 4/29/17 at 12:27pm

Some people here will recommend you The Girls, but don't listen to them: if you're used to Broadway, this is pure community theatre. Half a Sixpence is not a masterpiece by any means, but it has a hell of a leading man and it's nice enough. The Life is the best of the three, it has a great score and an amazing cast: Sharon D Clarke is incredible in it, she's delivering the best performance in a musical that you can currently see in London.

The Globe's Romeo and Juliet has just been trashed by the critics, you just have to give a look at the production pics to understand if it might be your cup of tea or not. On the other hand, at the Globe there will also be the delightful comedy Nell Gwyn, which is extremely cute. 

The Goat is a brilliant play and Sophie Okonedo delivers an outstanding performance. The topic is quite peculiar and I know of some people who have been offended, so you'd better check out if it something you would enjoy. Personally I loved it. Lettice and Lovage hasn't opened yet but it's sold out... a shame, since it looks like it must be very funny. Same for 110 in the Shade, hasn't opened yet so I can't tell.  Our Lady of Perpetual Succour was great at the National, I'm sure both you and your daughter will like it.

It's hard to get the tickets for it, but Angels in America at the NT is an extraordinary production of a masterpiece: I have already seen it twice, it's the best thing in London at the moment (imo).

Updated On: 4/29/17 at 12:27 PM

[mar6411]

Posted: 4/29/17 at 1:31pm

Thank you so much!

We would both love to see Angels in America but not sure the schedule will work to see Part 1 - but will try.

I did see that the reviews for Romeo & Juliet were pretty bad.  I don't know - I was hoping that maybe someone would tell me that wasn't true.  :)  Nell Gwyn closes May 13 so we will miss it.  OK - may need to reconsider.  

I am familiar with what Goat is about - and I'm sure Sophie Okonedo is wonderful.  I know this will be at the top of my daughter's list and I have heard many wonderful things about the play.  I am on the fence on Albee (I think that sounds pretentious, but I don't mean it to).  But based on your comments, I know this is one she will see even if I waffle.

Thanks for the rest of the suggestions/comments.  It is very helpful.  

Mary

Updated On: 4/29/17 at 01:31 PM

[mar6411]

Posted: 5/2/17 at 12:23pm

We got tickets to The Goat.  The Life closed this past weekend - don't know how I missed that.  And Romeo & Juliet is off our list.

Any other suggestions, especially plays?

Thanks in advance.

Mary

Updated On: 5/2/17 at 12:23 PM

[cam5y]

Posted: 5/2/17 at 9:26pm

You want to see The Ferryman, at the Royal Court. Trust me on this. It's sold out, but they are doing £12 tickets on Monday evenings, book online on Mondays at 9:00am (BST, so 4:00am EST).

And I echo the suggestion of Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour. You'll never see anything like it in New York.

Updated On: 5/2/17 at 09:26 PM

[mar6411]

Posted: 5/2/17 at 10:33pm

I looked at The Ferryman, but it closes May 20 - before we get there.  I see that it is transferring but not opening till after we leave.  Timing is everything :)

Thanks!

[Kkh252]

Posted: 5/5/17 at 9:10am

Yeah you can definitely miss the girls. Nothing to see there. I thought Dreamgirls was great and Half a Sixpence was a lot of fun. I haven't seen Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour but it looks very interesting.

 

[mkmswain]

Posted: 5/18/17 at 11:39am

Our Ladies is fantastic. Other possibilities: Life of Galileo at the Young Vic, Woyzeck at the Old Vic (reviews aren't in yet though...), Love in Idleness at the Apollo Theatre, On the Town at Regent's Park Open Air (a fun venue, weather permitting!).

If the R&J at the Globe isn't your cup of tea, there's also a Twelfth Night coming up.