London trip - Angels in America

[stage_star]

Posted: 1/14/17 at 4:22pm

It's really soon, as it opens only in April, but I'm planning on going to London for the first time in my life, to catch the National Theatre's production of Angels in America, with Andrew Garfield, Russel Tevoy and Nathan Lane. Anyone from London (or planning on going)? It would be nice to meet someone (and I could use the help of someone more experienced in these adventures LOL)

PM me if you wanna talk about it :)

[Just_John]

Posted: 1/14/17 at 5:23pm

Im from NYC but familiar enough with the London theatre scene as I've made quite a few trips over the last few years and plan on going in April again for this exact production and to hopefully catch amber riley in dreamgirls.

Don't even think about stopping anyone and asking for directions while in London. Locals are not willing to turn their head to help tourists, unlike in New York where we will stop you to ask if you need help if you look lost. On my first trip of the over 40 people I tried to ask, 1 single person stopped to help me. If you need directions, ask the employees who work for the tube. There's always someone guarding the entrances. 

[ggersten]

Posted: 1/14/17 at 8:04pm

Give yourself extra time if you're taking the tube for the walk from Waterloo station.  We went a few times and always got a bit turned around - even just following the crowd.  The signs were a bit confusing to us - and even the maps on the street.  Now, if you have a GPS/Map app on your phone or tablet - I would use those!

[rjm516]

Posted: 1/15/17 at 8:28am

If I go I'd be happy to  meet you but I haven't decided if I can handle 7 hours yet.

[Just_John]

Posted: 1/17/17 at 1:59am

I bet you can. The last production in New York, which didn't have Nathan Lane, was captivating and I waited for hours on line to get in to each part. Does anyone know when the regular sale begins? I think I'm going to try for the two part day April 29. :)

[imeldasturn]

Posted: 1/17/17 at 4:40am

On Friday

[lotiloti]

Posted: 1/17/17 at 5:50am

Just booked online, it's already almost sold out.

[Just_John]

Posted: 1/17/17 at 8:01am

Do they not hold back tickets for the general release? Is nothing going to be available for Hamilton on the 30th?!?

[imeldasturn]

Posted: 1/17/17 at 9:53am

Are we talking about Hamilton or Angels in America? Because for Angels in America there will be tickets for every single performance by the time public sale opens

[stage_star]

Posted: 1/17/17 at 4:05pm

I'm hoping I can catch one of the two-play days! It's 7 hours but you have one intermission in each part and approximately 2 hours between the parts. I really I hope I can get it, for a reasonable price. I'm so excited for this!

[doritxuuu]

Posted: 1/17/17 at 6:11pm

I can only speak for myself but I always stop and help people when they ask for directions. I'd like to believe that people are not as rude as Just_John seemed to suggest but Waterloo can be a bit tricky indeed. There are a few apps that can help and Central London is full of boards helping with directions - they are useful even if you are a local.

As for the booking - they confirmed tickets would be available for all booking windows. At the moment only members can purchase (so naturally the allocation is probably low), general sales start on Friday with demand expected to be exceptionally high for NT-standards (good luck for us). The FAQ on the website is pretty clear and helpful. They will also do day seats although I expect those to be crazy as well - I heard earlier this month when I was day seating for The Red Barn that people queued overnight for some of the current shows. At the moment everyone seems to be talking about Hamilton so fingers crossed that will help people forget about this show.

If you need London tips and want to meet up, feel free to drop a message.

[Just_John]

Posted: 1/17/17 at 9:34pm

I've never been anywhere as rude as London. I still love it and there's definitely people there who are more than kind, there are just very few. All of my friends and relatives in London agree with this. I feel as if people walk around as if they're unaware there are other people here with them. 

My question was referring to how this works on the west end in general. In New York, there's no way they would ever sell the show out during a pre-sale. The majority of tickets would be held back and go on sale once they were released to the general public. I was hoping that would be the case for both angels in America and Hamilton. 

[doritxuuu]

Posted: 1/18/17 at 7:10am

Just_John said: "I've never been anywhere as rude as London. I still love it and there's definitely people there who are more than kind, there are just very few. All of my friends and relatives in London agree with this. I feel as if people walk around as if they're unaware there are other people here with them. 

My question was referring to how this works on the west end in general. In New York, there's no way they would ever sell the show out during a pre-sale. The majority of tickets would be held back and go on sale once they were released to the general public. I was hoping that would be the case for both angels in America and Hamilton. 

 

"

I think HarryPotter was the exception and quite unfair to be honest.

I've gone through the AiA booking today (Amex presales started this morning) and it was a more stressful experience than Hamilton. They assign queue places randomly to those opening the site before 8:30 am (when the sales period starts) - I got place 110. This was the case earlier as well for members apparently. They then have separate queues for individual performances if too many people are trying to access it - this applied to every single double show date I tried to access so you might want to consider this. They opened all price categories (with limited allocations I assume) although most cheap tickets were gone by the time I tried to access performances - price information on the Dates/Availability page were outdated for almost all performances. I am quite happy though - managed to pay less than £50 in total which is less than what I was expecting.

 

[BIG BALONEY]

Posted: 1/21/17 at 3:42pm

Luckily I have been able to always come upon helpful people in London. Your situation is debatable.

[AngusN]

Posted: 1/22/17 at 6:14pm

I agree, Big Baloney; the people in London are no less friendly than those in New York, it's just tougher to find Londoners in central London, than it is New Yorkers in NYC. 

[smallvillefan16]

Posted: 4/19/17 at 4:37pm

Anyone seen this?  Did the leads actually go through with the full frontal? 

[imeldasturn]

Posted: 4/20/17 at 9:17am

Previews of Perestroika haven't started yet, but there is no nudity in Part 1

[Balcony Bill]

Posted: 4/23/17 at 9:35pm

For anyone who isn't able to get to London for this production, keep in mind that NT Live will be showing it in cinemas around the world July 20 and 27..I saw the original Angels on Broadway and can't wait to see Nathan Lane in the production. I can't make it to London but seeing it in cinemas is the next best thing.

And I have been to London many times visiting from Canada, and as much as I love  visiting New York, have found people there very friendly and helpful. And the staff who work at theatres and hotels, especially, far friendlier than New York theatre staff who can be abrupt and  rude...

[MadsonMelo]

Posted: 4/25/17 at 10:17pm

Eliott did it again. The cast is PERFECTION, with a top-notch Garfield. I Just love this play, Gosh.

[Just_John]

Posted: 4/30/17 at 10:27pm

Balcony Bill said: "For anyone who isn't able to get to London for this production, keep in mind that NT Live will be showing it in cinemas around the world July 20 and 27..I saw the original Angels on Broadway and can't wait to see Nathan Lane in the production. I can't make it to London but seeing it in cinemas is the next best thing.

And I have been to London many times visiting from Canada, and as much as I love  visiting New York, have found people there very friendly and helpful. And the staff who work at theatres and hotels, especially, far friendlier than New York theatre staff who can be abrupt and  rude...

"

I absolutley agree that while people "are on the clock" in London, they are much more professional and helpful.   They also are paid enough that they can make rent much easier then minimum wage workers in NYC, so I think that explains that.   I was just deliberately talking about stopping someone walking on the street.  99% of the time a local person walking from point A to B will not stop to help you in London, and I'm very certain it's not only tourists, while in NYC 99% of the time they will stop to help you.  In New York, many New Yorkers will stop tourists who are looking at a map to see if they need directions or if they're taking a selfie offer to take a picture for them.  You will not see that happen in London.   

[Balcony Bill]

Posted: 5/6/17 at 8:39am

Just John said: In New York, many New Yorkers will stop tourists who are looking at a map to see if they need directions or if they're taking a selfie offer to take a picture for them.  You will not see that happen in London.   

That's interesting, because it's happened to me many times, including several on my last trip alone. I find that I get turned around often in London, with the curving streets that sometimes change names along the way..I've had people stop and ask if I needed help and I've also had just as much luck asking people on the street for directions as I've had in other cities, including New York. Not once have I had someone refuse to give me directions when I've asked. I've found people in London just as friendly as other cities I've visited, including New York, Chicago, Boston, Sydney, Tel Aviv, Rome, Florence, Venice, Paris, Berlin and Mexico City. Sorry to hear that you've had bad experiences in London, Hope you meet friendlier people next time.

[joybellex]

Posted: 5/6/17 at 9:03am

smallvillefan16 said: "Anyone seen this?  Did the leads actually go through with the full frontal?"

there's no nudity in Millennium Approaches, but you'll see Russell Tovey's butt in Perestroika. no full frontal.

Posted: 5/10/17 at 12:59pm

Damn