London has arguably the best theatre in the entire world!!
After living in London about a year, I was lunching with a couple of girlfriends, when the topic turned to theater. One of them was going to see a show that weekend, and wanted to know if we others had seen it. "No, we haven't been to the theater here," I replied. WHAT?? The eyes popping out of their heads, the shrill tone of their shrieks, the absolute look of astonishment nearly knocked me off my chair. "You're joking!" they said. They really couldn't believe we had not been to the theater. I should be charged with a crime, they sneered.
Another one of those "wake up girl!" moments (I have many many many of these), I began to wonder what the big deal was. And then I did realize what the big deal was. Here we are, living in the theater capital of the world, and we are passing the opportunity to experience what many people pay large sums of money just for their airfare to get here and take in a show? As everyone knows, I'm a research girl, so I immediately took to the internet and began asking friends about how and what to see. Unfortunately, the "must-sees" are also the "break the budgets", so some insider info helped me navigate the system.
First of all, if you can get to the TKTS box office in Leicester Square the morning of the day you want to go to the theater, it can be worth the trip. This is the go-to place for last minute sales. Yes, as you exit any of the tube stations or walk in the general area of the West End, you'll see lots of places advertising "last minute tickets" discounted tickets, lowest prices, etc. The deal is that you don't get better than the TKTS booth.
http://www.tkts.co.uk/how-to-find-tkts/
And you can sometimes get tickets for later in the week at the booth as well. Check their website for more information.
As a Londoner, I have no constraints of when I can get to the theater. Obviously you can save a lot of money by going to matinee shows and weeknight shows. This has been about the only way we can get our whole family to the theater without costing a small fortune.
When planning in advance, I recommend the following site:
http://www.comparetheatretickets.com/
Like travel comparison websites, the site actually compares the cost from several different ticket sales companies to get you the best price.
Finally, I'll pass along the best advice I ever got from a local here (thanks Laurel!!). She is a theater-loving fanatic, and she said, "I'd rather go to the theater many times per year than only go once or twice and have the best seats. If I'm in the theater, I'm there, and most of the theaters in London are quite small venues with decent seating even in the cheap seats." WELL SAID, and this is another way we've been able to go multiple times, we don't splurge on front row.
WHAT WE'VE SEEN
Our first theater experience was...FREE!! Another tip from my theater loving friend, this organization puts on top-notch theater outdoors and it does not cost you once single pence. You just gotta get there early and be willing to wait in line! If I remember correctly, we queued about an hour prior to the show. But it WAS worth it! We saw "Around the World in 80 Days"
http://www.timeout.com/london/theatre/event/225150/around-the-world-in-eighty-days
Around the World in 80 days Scoop outdoor free theater Sept 2011
Top Girls Trafalgar Studios Oct 2011
Julius Caesar Stratford Upon Avon, Royal Shakespeare Company June 2012
Top Girls Trafalgar Studios Oct 2011
Julius Caesar Stratford Upon Avon, Royal Shakespeare Company June 2012
Thriller Oct 2012
Les Miserables with Mike & Kay May 2012
Stomp with the Orban family Oct 2012
Jersey Boys with Glenn & Dorothy Sept 2012
Matilda January 2013
Top Hat July 2012
Chariots of Fire Hampstead Theatre June 2012
Dick Whittington and His Cat Hackney Theater Panto! Jan 2013
Old Times with Kristen Scott Thomas 23 Feb 2013
WICKED! March 2013 with Hoffs & Ally with bday party Feb 2013 (Ally's favorite)
Responsible Other Hampstead Theatre June 2013
Spamalot Playhouse Theatre Aug 2013
We will Rock You Oh goodness I don't remember when we went!
ONCE the musical Phoenix Theatre London Oct '13 (Dave's favorite)
The Book of Mormon Nov 12, 2013 (Warning - this show is horribly vulgar, to be honest it went too far for me and I cannot say I recommend it.)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. With the kids for Christmas. This top-notch show put together by big names stands in a league of its own.
Fuerzabruta at the Roundhouse. December 2013, for our 19th wedding anniversary. Very interesting - can you picture clear pools of water with swimmers floating in them descending upon you?
Let it Be. With Mike and Kay January 2014. Like going to a Beatle's concert. No story line, just songs. We sang along to every one!
Rapture, Blister, Burn. February 2014 at Hampstead Theatre. We didn't have high expectations, but this little production kept us on our seats and laughing too, despite the dark situation unfolding before you.
I Can't Sing - the X Factor Musical March 2014 London Palladium
Dave didn't have high ratings for this show, but the rest of us were busting our guts. Lots of stupid British humor. The whole thing is outrageous, but just good simple comedy - FAMILY FRIENDLY which we really appreciate. I think comedy is hard to do with a musical and my review is that they pull it off pretty well.
Phantom of the Opera March 2014
R&D, Hampstead Theatre October 2016
The Mad Hatter's Tea Party January 2017
Our ladies of perpetual succour July 2017
The Humans October 2018
Heathers November 2018
