London Recommendations

[C4b2a3b]

Posted: 8/11/23 at 2:16pm

I will be in London from 8/22 to 8/27. It will be my first time seeing shows there, and I would greatly appreciate some recommendations. 

I'm leaning toward Cabaret and Guys and Dolls. I was planning on seeing 3-4 shows total. 

My favorite shows in NY semi-recently have been Doll's House, Take Me Out, Six, Oklahoma, Hello Dolly, Little Shop, Fat Ham, The Jitney, Ferryman. 

Thank you in advance!

[quizking101]

Posted: 8/11/23 at 2:26pm

Having JUST been in London, I can say pretty much that whatever you see will be very very good. 

Be smart to avoid the shows you can catch on Broadway or National Tour

That being said, Cabaret and Guys and Dolls are MUSTS - especially since Mason Alexander Park is a TRANSCENDENT Emcee and the ticket prices are actually reasonable (they won’t be on Broadway for sure). G&D, if you can physically do it, go for the standing room area. I promise you that is the best way to experience this production because it’s better immersion than Here Lies Love.

As for the other two, I will say go see A STRANGE LOOP at the Barbican - not only are the seats basically couches, but Kyle Ramar Freeman’s performance is something that must be witnessed live and (if I remember correctly) it will be his last week in the show before he leaves for The Wiz). Since you loved FAT HAM, ASL is basically it’s spiritual cousin.

I will also say OPERATION MINCEMEAT - it’s an offbeat musical about a very specific moment in WWII history, but it’s also tuneful, well-written, and ABSOLUTELY hilarious. I can’t imagine this coming over any time soon so I recommend seeing it if you can.

If you’re looking for more conventional, HEATHERS is finishing its run at The Other Palace and the Regent’s Open Air production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES was quite good (if the weather cooperates) since it goes back to it’s maximalist origins

[yyys]

Posted: 8/11/23 at 3:12pm

Oh man, you're gonna miss Groundhog Day (closes 8/19)

I'm going in September and seeing the following (also playing while you're there):

Operation Mincemeat

Crazy For You

Grease (curious to see Jason Donovan)

Dr. Semmelweis

I also read great things about The Burnt City. 

Updated On: 8/11/23 at 03:12 PM

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 8/11/23 at 3:43pm

I too was in London for most of the summer and saw many shows. Here are my top recommendations!

1. Cabaret (try to see Emily Benjamin as Sally if you can; Her planned dates are on her Instagram)

2. Guys & Dolls (Best revival in London right now!)

3. Crazy for You (Charlie Stemp and Susan Stroman's choreography are the shining stars of the show)

4. Operation Mincemeat (A MUST SEE!!!! Probably the funniest musical I've seen over there)

5. The Crucible (Excellent interpretation of this Arthur Miller classic! It's a transfer from The National)

6. The Choir of Man (Fun show about pub life)

7. The Crown Jewels (Al Murray is hilarious!)

8. 2:22 A Ghost Story (If you like mystery/whodunit plays, this is a great choice! )

*9. ABBA Voyage (This is more of a concert but if you like ABBA's music, this is an incredible experience)

Hope you have a great time! London is such a beautiful and magical city! You'll have a blast!

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 8/11/23 at 5:01pm

While echo what others have said. Cabaret, Guys and Dolls, and Mincemeat are the things to see. 

[quizking101]

Posted: 8/11/23 at 5:18pm

Buy MINCEMEAT early because it’s been selling out. 

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 8/11/23 at 5:21pm

quizking101 said: "Buy MINCEMEAT early because it’s been selling out."

Oh definitely! I think this is the front-runner for Best Musical at next year's Oliviers! Hoping we can get a Broadway transfer next year cause this show is so freaking funny!

[BenjaminNicholas2]

Posted: 8/11/23 at 6:49pm

Crazy For You is a not to be missed.  It's superb.

[Mark_E]

Posted: 8/11/23 at 7:21pm

Operation Mincemeat for sure!

Also, next to normal will be running by then. It’s sold out but returns have been appearing.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/12/23 at 7:53pm

I saw “La Cage” at Regent’s Park tonight and was blown away. Definitely worth checking out, if you have a chance. 

[ggersten]

Posted: 8/13/23 at 12:48pm

Echoing MIncemeat and Cabaret. Note: Mincemeat is less expensive on Tuesday and Wednesday than Friday-Saturday.  Cabaret is worth the splurge on a ticket. 

For Crazy for You - there are reportedly major discounts - and we got a great deal by asking at the box office. Always ask at the box office! (or TodayTix). 

One not on your radar - and a play - but The Accidental Death of An Anarachist at the Haymarket has had great reviews - reportedly a "dont miss" performance by Daniel Rigby - and not very expensive tickets.  We didn't see it, because we got a great deal on Crazy For You tickets at the box office (35GBP for Stalls Row F center). 

[C4b2a3b]

Posted: 8/14/23 at 5:59pm

Thank you all so much for your recommendations! 

I got tickets to Operation Mincemeat. I think we'll also get tickets to Guys and Dolls and Cabaret. 

Seating question for G&D: We're planning to sit in the stalls. Since I don't know how to post a picture of the seats available, should I get tickets where the band will be to our right? Or the opposite side where the band will be to our left? Also there are tickets directly across the band. There's an option to sit under the band, but the tickets are less expensive. So I imagine the view is worse? 

Thanks again! 

Updated On: 8/14/23 at 05:59 PM

[Harriet Craig]

Posted: 8/14/23 at 7:25pm

C4b2a3b said: "Thank you all so much for your recommendations!

I got tickets to Operation Mincemeat. I think we'll also get tickets to Guys and Dolls and Cabaret.

Seating question for G&D: We're planning to sit in the stalls. Since I don't know how to post a picture of the seats available, should I get tickets where the band will be to our right? Or the opposite side where the band will be to our left? Also there are tickets directly across the band. There's an option to sit under the band, but the tickets are less expensive. So I imagine the view is worse?

Thanks again!"

Before I bought my ticket for Guys and Dolls, I agonized about which side would be better to sit on, but after seeing the show I came to the conclusion it doesn’t matter very much. Whichever side you sit on, there are going to be some scenes that are played right in front of you and others that are played farther away from you, but they do a good job of playing to all sides pretty much equally, so I don’t think you’re going to feel cheated wherever you sit. For what it’s worth, I was in the middle of a row in the stalls with the band on my left.

[ggersten]

Posted: 8/14/23 at 9:47pm

These may help - or not -  seating advice from Monkey - Bridge Theatre | Theatre Monkey
Check out "Seating Plans" and Best Seat Advice -  "Changes for The Current Production" 

 

Updated On: 8/14/23 at 09:47 PM

[C4b2a3b]

Posted: 8/15/23 at 1:22pm

Thanks @Harriet Craig. Glad to hear you were in the same boat agonizing over seats but ended up being okay! 

As for Cabaret, does the cast interact with the audience? I was thinking of splurging and getting a table next to the stage. 

[ChairinMain]

Posted: 8/15/23 at 1:30pm

Would highly highly HIGHLY recommend you catch THE BURNT CITY before it closes. 

[ggersten]

Posted: 8/15/23 at 4:09pm

C4b2a3b said: "Thanks @Harriet Craig. Glad to hear you were in the same boat agonizing over seats but ended up being okay!

As for Cabaret, does the cast interact with the audience? I was thinking of splurging and getting a table next to the stage."

I don't recall any real interaction during the show - but you are real close!.  During the pre-show in the bar areas and then in the theatre itself, there are definite gesturing and playing to the audience.  If you get a table, you should try to get one on the "large side" (the one with three levels and more seats) - we were on the short side and it was fine - except the title song was sung about 2/3 of the time to the "large side".  Other than that number, I don't recall much that we missed being on the short side table. Also, note that the tables are not "raked" - so if you are in the second row of tables, your view could be blocked by a large person. The stag is not very high. It's more like a small platform. Again, we didn't have an issue, but something to keep in mind. 

[binau]

Posted: 8/15/23 at 4:21pm

Is it me or is there a lot of good theatre on in London right now? next to normal at the Donmar, guys & dolls, cabaret, A Strange Loop, Crazy For You, Burnt City, Groundhog Day, the Oklahoma Revival! plus heaps more. It would be a great time to visit for theatre right now! 

[ardiem]

Posted: 8/15/23 at 4:31pm

If you liked The Lehman Trilogy or The Doctor, I'd also highly recommend Patriots, especially if you're interested in the subject matter!

Updated On: 8/15/23 at 04:31 PM

[yyys]

Posted: 8/15/23 at 4:35pm

^^ Also back in the winter......

MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO

STANDING ON THE SKY'S EDGE

DEAR ENGLAND

What else am I missing?!

[ggersten]

Posted: 8/15/23 at 4:44pm

You are missing Motive and the Cue starting 9 December at the Noel Coward.

A dissenting view on Patriots - really well acted - but, to me, there was little point to the production and I had issues with the motivation (or lack thereof) of the "characters". 

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 8/15/23 at 5:16pm

binau said: "Is it me or is there a lot of good theatre on in London right now? next to normal at the Donmar, guys & dolls, cabaret, A Strange Loop, Crazy For You, Burnt City, Groundhog Day, the Oklahoma Revival! plus heaps more. It would be a great time to visit for theatre right now!"

You are so right on that! The 6 weeks I was in London this summer were the best 6 weeks of my life! Saw so many shows it’s not even funny! Also, The Crucible was a pretty good production too. That’s running for like 5 more weeks, so that’s a good show to catch as well!

[suzycat]

Posted: 8/15/23 at 5:39pm

I have a trip planned next month, y’all are getting me excited!

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 8/15/23 at 6:03pm

suzycat said: "I have a trip planned next month, y’all are getting me excited!"

Enjoy! London Theatre is something special! 

[DBAK]

Posted: 8/15/23 at 8:56pm

I will be in London next month. I am seeing next to normal, Rebecca, and Wicked (had to see it for my thirteen year old self, and also in the hopes of seeing Alexia). Here's my dilemma. I have time to squeeze in a Wednesday matinee. I just know of Cabaret and Wicked as options. Are there other shows that do a Wednesday matinee? I'm also wondering if I can just wait to decide what show I see for the Wednesday matinee until I'm actually in London. It would be fun to decide somewhat spontaneously if I'm able to, since the rest of this trip has been meticulously planned in advance by my partner and Wednesday afternoon is our day to go our separate ways for a few hours. :) Any thoughts would be very welcome.