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| London Theater --or rather, "Theatre"-- Advice | |
| Posted by: Robt 04:37 pm EST 01/19/22 | |
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| My husband and I are planning our first trip to England for later this year--fingers crossed! (It was originally planned for 2020.) We won't be in London for more than a couple days, but would like to see at least one West End show. Although it's touristy, I'm leaning toward "The Mousetrap," in part because I am genuinely a Christie fan. I'm looking for recommendations for any tips on ticket buying, a local eatery, or maybe even another show. Thanks! | |
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| Thanks for all for the suggestions! | |
| Posted by: Robt 10:12 am EST 01/21/22 | |
| In reply to: London Theater --or rather, "Theatre"-- Advice - Robt 04:37 pm EST 01/19/22 | |
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| If anyone else has ideas, we'd love to hear 'em too! R |
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| re: Thanks for all for the suggestions! | |
| Posted by: FinalPerformance 03:50 pm EST 01/21/22 | |
| In reply to: Thanks for all for the suggestions! - Robt 10:12 am EST 01/21/22 | |
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| I stay at the St.Giles Hotel off Tottenham Court Road around the corner from The Dominion Theatre. It is reasonable and I get a city view room which consists of a bedroom and sitting room. Both have TV in each room and there is a small refrigerator. Theaters are all walkable to, British Museum is 3 blocks away. Supermarket across street and Qxford Street is around corner. Sometimes I pay between $120 $140. a night. Underground a block away and over 16 bus lines within walking distance. Check the web site and give your email so you'll receive special offers. | |
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| re: London Theater --or rather, "Theatre"-- Advice | |
| Posted by: ctmoonmaid 10:56 am EST 01/20/22 | |
| In reply to: London Theater --or rather, "Theatre"-- Advice - Robt 04:37 pm EST 01/19/22 | |
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| Everyone has given you great ideas, but I'd like to add that if this is your first trip to London I would urge you to see a show at the National Theatre, a true treasure. There are usually several shows happening at the same time and you can eat right there in the complex (I prefer the self-service cafeteria style place, but the pricier option is fine, too). (Also depending on the show, I love the intimacy of the Donmar Warehouse.) I enjoy the West End, too, but it's not as condensed as Broadway so it's hard to give you a food idea without knowing for sure where you'll end up. But close to many of the theatres is Covent Garden and there are many good places for a meal there. Enjoy your first trip to England. I was last in London about three years ago and I love all of the free museums and the theatre and I also very highly recommend taking a walking tour (or two) from London Walks where you can take an Oscar Wilde walk or if you are a Christie fan, you might also enjoy the Sherlock Holmes walk. I've done at least ten of them over several visits and have enjoyed them all as you see parts of the city you would never see on your own. Enjoy! It's a great city. | |
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| re: London Theater --or rather, "Theatre"-- Advice | |
| Posted by: PurpleMoney 08:21 am EST 01/20/22 | |
| In reply to: London Theater --or rather, "Theatre"-- Advice - Robt 04:37 pm EST 01/19/22 | |
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| I have to admit that I've seen The Mousetrap 5 times since 1993. I'm surprised every time by the twist in the story. For a musicals that are fun, see Back To The Future or &Juliet. |
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| re: London Theater --or rather, "Theatre"-- Advice | |
| Posted by: singleticket 07:01 pm EST 01/19/22 | |
| In reply to: London Theater --or rather, "Theatre"-- Advice - Robt 04:37 pm EST 01/19/22 | |
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| If you're a Christie fan don't miss Lucy Bailey's production of "Witness for the Prosecution" at London County Hall (right next to the London Eye). I don't know about the current cast but the production is a clever use of space and Christie's skill as a dramatist and a feminist dramatist at that really comes through. | |
| Link | Witness at London County Hall |
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| re: London Theater --or rather, "Theatre"-- Advice | |
| Posted by: PurpleMoney 09:18 am EST 01/20/22 | |
| In reply to: re: London Theater --or rather, "Theatre"-- Advice - singleticket 07:01 pm EST 01/19/22 | |
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| Witness was great when I saw it a few years ago. The setting makes the production soar. I would say it also allows for social distancing while watching the performances. It did in my area. | |
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| A few thoughts. | |
| Posted by: portenopete 05:51 pm EST 01/19/22 | |
| In reply to: London Theater --or rather, "Theatre"-- Advice - Robt 04:37 pm EST 01/19/22 | |
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| How exciting :)! I hope you have a wonderful time! I can't speak to The Mousetrap's ticket-selling policies but in general there are lots of discount options, such as concession seats (if you are students or over 65) and day seats (which can require standing in line before box office opens) or the TKTS booth in Leicester Square (a 10-minute walk from St. Martin's Theatre, where The Mousetrap plays). There is also the excellent Today Tix phone app that allows you to purchase discount tickets or enter ticket lotteries all from the comfort of your phone. The app can be used for London, NNYC and many other cities. I would consider the worst-case scenario to be paying full price at the theatre box office. I would avoid the various small storefront (and mobile) ticket-selling agencies that add hefty commissions to the actual price, and that includes hotel concierge desks. For fancy dining in the area of St. Martin's Theatre, right across the street is the legendary Ivy Restaurant (long a popular spot of theatricals) and a few blocks away in Covent Garden is London's oldest restaurant Rules, if you're in the mood for very traditional British fare (quail, game hen, that kind of thing). There are many middle-of-the-road chains that serve good food in pleasant surroundings. Pizza Express is a ubiquitous upscale pizza chain that is everywhere in Britain and there is a nice one just down the street in St. Martin's Lane. Other Italian-themed alternatives are Spaghetti House, Bella Italia and Zizi. I was going to mention another ubiquitous chain Wagamama, which offers Japanese fare at its endless outposts thought the city, but it seems they are all closed down because of COVID. (The communal city is a COVID nightmare.) Looking at Google Maps I see a lot of places I used to frequent are either closed temporarily or just plain closed. It's been two years since I've been so things are different. Now for other shows it's hard to say what will be playing later in the year. I'm more confident in recommending specific theatres which are usually safe bets for producing- if not excellent- then at least interesting work: The National Theatre The Bridge Theatre Donmar Warehouse Almeida Theatre Hampstead Theatre Royal Court Theatre Menier Chocolate Factory Southwark Playhouse. Farther off the beaten path in less central neighbourhoods (but all easily reached by Underground) are: Kiln Theatre Orange Tree Theatre Park Theatre Arcola Theatre. That's probably enough for now :)! |
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| re: A few thoughts. | |
| Posted by: portenopete 05:53 pm EST 01/19/22 | |
| In reply to: A few thoughts. - portenopete 05:51 pm EST 01/19/22 | |
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| I forgot two obvious theatres: The Old Vic and the Young Vic, which are at opposite ends of aa street called The Cut just south of Waterloo Station on the South Bank. | |
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| re: A few thoughts. | |
| Posted by: ChicagoDRO 02:58 pm EST 01/20/22 | |
| In reply to: re: A few thoughts. - portenopete 05:53 pm EST 01/19/22 | |
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| All this information is great. Any hotel recommendations for the theatre district? I am also planning a first time trip to London. |
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| re: A few thoughts. | |
| Posted by: portenopete 06:59 pm EST 01/20/22 | |
| In reply to: re: A few thoughts. - ChicagoDRO 02:58 pm EST 01/20/22 | |
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| I tend to Airbnb it inn residential neighbourhoods or stay with friends, so I'm non expert. But a hotel I've thought would be mad convenient is the hub by Premier Inn. It's in St. Martin's Lane across from the Coliseum (home of the ENO) and next door to the Duke of York's, the Nöel Coward, the Wyndham's, the Arts and the Garrick (2 minute walk to any of these as well as to Leicester Square and Charing Cross Tube stations). I have stayed at the Strand Palace but not since the mid 90's. It was very old-school but comfortable. It's basically next door to the Adelphi, Vaudeville, Savoy, Lyceum, Aldwych, Novello, Strand, Drury Lane and Fortune theatres (no more than 5 minutes' walk). If you have money, the W Hotel in Leicester Square looks super swanky and God knows being in Leicester Square you are in the centre of the action. There are a few oldies-but-okay-ees around Russell Square that a lot of people on this board like: namely the President and the Tavistock. They certainly give you a taste of what mid-century hotels were like: very small rooms, twin beds, tiny WC's. They often have good breakfast-included rates. For me they are a bit off the beaten track but if you plan on visiting the British Museum they are ideal. Last suggestion: the South Bank. There are so many great theatres between Tower Bridge and Waterloo Bridge- the National, the Globe, the Old Vic, the Young Vic, the Menier, Southwark Playhouse, the Bridge- that one of the chain hotels south of the river might be ideal. A lot of them are pretty new and it's generally a lively area. I'm thinking of Mercure London Bridge, Premier Inn Southwark, Ibis Styles Southwark, Holiday Inn Express Southwark, Novotel London Bridge. They are all very close to Tate Modern and Borough Market (and a great breakfast can be had at The Breakfast Club in Southwark Street near London Bridge Tube or Where the Pancakes Are under the arches on Southwark Bridge Road just south of Southwark Street. This is making me want to go so bad..... |
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| re: A few thoughts. | |
| Posted by: ctmoonmaid 09:41 am EST 01/21/22 | |
| In reply to: re: A few thoughts. - portenopete 06:59 pm EST 01/20/22 | |
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| And Borough Market sells the best grilled cheese that you will ever have in your life! | |
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| re: A few thoughts. | |
| Posted by: portenopete 12:57 pm EST 01/21/22 | |
| In reply to: re: A few thoughts. - ctmoonmaid 09:41 am EST 01/21/22 | |
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| You're cruel! LOL Sitting eating lunch in the churchyard next door is one of the most pleasant ways to spend an afternoon in London. | |
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