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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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