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Best theatre companies in London?
Posted by: DistantDrumming 07:06 am EDT 05/29/23

Going to be in London later this year. First time in nearly 10 years. On my visits, I've only seen a few commercial West End productions. This time, I'd like to see some theatre at theatre companies in or near the London area. So, any thoughts on the best theatre companies? I know of The National and the RSC of course. West End and Off-West End/Fringe is of interest.
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Start with this list
Last Edit: earlybird 10:36 am EDT 05/29/23
Posted by: earlybird 10:33 am EDT 05/29/23
In reply to: Best theatre companies in London? - DistantDrumming 07:06 am EDT 05/29/23

I'd recommend checking the websites for all these theaters, see what's playing, and picking whatever show(s) most interest you:

National Theatre
Royal Court
Old Vic
Young Vic
Almeida
Donmar Warehouse
Bridge
Globe
Barbican
RSC (in Stratford, but sometimes brings productions to the Barbican in London)
Menier Chocolate Factory
Southwark Playhouse
Hampstead Theatre
Lyric Hammersmith

There are tons of other companies of course, but I'd say those are kind of the pillars of the non-profit theatre scene. Not unlike the fleet of NYC non-profits like the Public, NYTW, Atlantic, Playwrights Horizons, BAM, and so on.
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Also: Sadler's Wells
Posted by: KevinF 02:45 pm EDT 05/30/23
In reply to: Start with this list - earlybird 10:33 am EDT 05/29/23

Although their focus is on dance, they also program some musicals, as well as dance productions (such as Matthew Bourne's work) with a strong theatrical appeal.
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re: Start with this list
Posted by: sf 11:35 am EDT 05/30/23
In reply to: Start with this list - earlybird 10:33 am EDT 05/29/23

Great list.

Someone else has mentioned Kiln; I'd also add the Bush.

Beyond London, Chichester (90 minutes from Victoria on the train, give or take) is a nice day out, and the Chichester Festival Theatre is excellent.
(Looking forward to seeing their production of ASSASSINS next month.)
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Great list -- exactly what I was looking for -- thanks! (NMI)
Posted by: DistantDrumming 08:06 am EDT 05/30/23
In reply to: Start with this list - earlybird 10:33 am EDT 05/29/23

nmi
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re: Start with this list
Posted by: Singapore/Fling 11:50 am EDT 05/29/23
In reply to: Start with this list - earlybird 10:33 am EDT 05/29/23

I’d add the Kiln to that list.
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re: Start with this list
Posted by: FinalPerformance 12:07 pm EDT 05/29/23
In reply to: re: Start with this list - Singapore/Fling 11:50 am EDT 05/29/23

A small intimate theater that I got to see two fine shows in. A bus ride through London leaves you a block away.
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Good London Posting
Posted by: FinalPerformance 11:39 am EDT 05/29/23
In reply to: Start with this list - earlybird 10:33 am EDT 05/29/23

You nailed it. I've been to the lot of them. In the last few years Southwark Playhouse was presenting a decent amount of popular shows and all I've seen were winners. Easy location to get to Elephant & Castle by buses or underground.
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re: Good London Posting
Posted by: sf 11:33 am EDT 05/30/23
In reply to: Good London Posting - FinalPerformance 11:39 am EDT 05/29/23

Re: the Southwark Playhouse - absolutely second the recommendation, it's always worth the trip, but make sure you check which of their venues the show you book is playing in. They are now operating in two different locations - not that far from each other, but far enough to be a pain if you rock up to the wrong one ten minutes before showtime.

(Sadly, haven't been in their new venue yet. Did have a ticket for the last production in there, but I was foiled by Covid.)
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re: Best theatre companies in London?
Posted by: andrea 08:17 am EDT 05/29/23
In reply to: Best theatre companies in London? - DistantDrumming 07:06 am EDT 05/29/23

Donmar Warehouse and Southwark Playhouse are great. Also check out what is playing at the Bridge Theatre.
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re: Best theatre companies in London?
Posted by: tmdonahue 07:56 am EDT 05/29/23
In reply to: Best theatre companies in London? - DistantDrumming 07:06 am EDT 05/29/23

The Almeida has almost always been exciting. And of course the MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY. I'm sure there are others.
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