Help a London theater noob
March 5, 2024 10:14 AM Subscribe
Going to London shortly, would like to see interesting theater. I know about Donmar Warehouse and the National Theater. Where else should I look? Is the Globe legit in terms of performance quality, or is it really just for tourists?
I don't want to see anything that I might typically also see in the US -- like, not Wicked. If you have a specific rec, my dates are late April - early May.
I don't want to see anything that I might typically also see in the US -- like, not Wicked. If you have a specific rec, my dates are late April - early May.
Best answer: In addition to the Donmar and the National, I always look to see what's playing at the Young and Old Vic (Young Vic for new, less recognised stuff), the Almeida, the Hampstead Theatre, the Royal Court and the Barbican. If you're interested in dance then Sadlers Wells. In all cases, I'd recommend booking as early as possible.
The Globe is legit but the audience can be unbearable. Far too many people go or take young children as an educational experience rather than out of fondness for theatre, and everyone has a miserable time, including the unfortunates sitting around them.
posted by tavegyl at 11:39 AM on March 5 [8 favorites]
The Globe is legit but the audience can be unbearable. Far too many people go or take young children as an educational experience rather than out of fondness for theatre, and everyone has a miserable time, including the unfortunates sitting around them.
posted by tavegyl at 11:39 AM on March 5 [8 favorites]
You should be able to sign up for Central Tickets emails now -- they are one of several companies that link to cheap tickets. Right now London Theatre Week offers are extended, so you could get tickets to shows from as little as £15 if your dates and times are flexible.
I would avoid the Globe during the day because that's when school trips go there. It is a bit touristy, sure, but it's an experience.
Sheridan Smith in Opening Night, based on the John Cassavetes film with songs by Rufus Wainwright and directed by Ivo Van Hove, looks interesting.
I know you said you're familiar with the National Theatre. Standing at the Sky's Edge, telling the story of the residents of a legendary housing estate in Sheffield, got rave reviews when it opened last year and is sure to be fabulous.
posted by Orkney Vole at 12:31 PM on March 5
I would avoid the Globe during the day because that's when school trips go there. It is a bit touristy, sure, but it's an experience.
Sheridan Smith in Opening Night, based on the John Cassavetes film with songs by Rufus Wainwright and directed by Ivo Van Hove, looks interesting.
I know you said you're familiar with the National Theatre. Standing at the Sky's Edge, telling the story of the residents of a legendary housing estate in Sheffield, got rave reviews when it opened last year and is sure to be fabulous.
posted by Orkney Vole at 12:31 PM on March 5
On my trip to London I saw shows at The Globe and The Royal Court.
Looking at the Royal Court's website, they definitely have shows you wouldn't see in the US. The show I saw was Black Superhero - very unique.
I also saw The Tempest at The Globe and I had a good time with it. The audience wasn't annoying at all and the dinner we grabbed at the connected restaurant was tasty.
posted by Julnyes at 12:45 PM on March 5
Looking at the Royal Court's website, they definitely have shows you wouldn't see in the US. The show I saw was Black Superhero - very unique.
I also saw The Tempest at The Globe and I had a good time with it. The audience wasn't annoying at all and the dinner we grabbed at the connected restaurant was tasty.
posted by Julnyes at 12:45 PM on March 5
Performance quality at the Globe varies a bit these days. The Much Ado they'll have playing when you're here looks perfectly lovely and will be in period costume. If you are up for standing, the £5 standing places in the Yard are a great experience. Definitely not just for tourists.
(I take tavegyl's point about annoyance, but consider: the annoyance is authentically pretty much the same as Shakespeare's audience would have experienced)
In other Shakespeare news, Ian McKellen will be playing Falstaff in a trimmed-down Henry IV retitled Player Kings at the Noël Coward theatre in the West End while you're here.
The Almeida's What's On page looks to be down, but they always tend to have things that are worth watching. Likewise the Royal Court, a new-writing theatre that hits and misses but always swings big. The Arcola, over in Dalston, is also good for seeing tomorrow's writers today.
The Young Vic's much-hyped, just-opened new play Nachtland only runs through 20 April, if that matches your dates?
Other things that have a goodly amount of buzz around them now: The Picture of Dorian Gray at the Haymarket, The Divine Mrs S at the Hampstead.
When I tell you to see Operation Mincemeat, you are to understand that this show IS to be seen.
Pub theatres like the Rosemary Branch, the Finborough, the Brockley Jack, and the Camden Etcetera are always worth keeping an eye on.
Happy theatre viewing!
posted by Pallas Athena at 12:53 PM on March 5 [4 favorites]
(I take tavegyl's point about annoyance, but consider: the annoyance is authentically pretty much the same as Shakespeare's audience would have experienced)
In other Shakespeare news, Ian McKellen will be playing Falstaff in a trimmed-down Henry IV retitled Player Kings at the Noël Coward theatre in the West End while you're here.
The Almeida's What's On page looks to be down, but they always tend to have things that are worth watching. Likewise the Royal Court, a new-writing theatre that hits and misses but always swings big. The Arcola, over in Dalston, is also good for seeing tomorrow's writers today.
The Young Vic's much-hyped, just-opened new play Nachtland only runs through 20 April, if that matches your dates?
Other things that have a goodly amount of buzz around them now: The Picture of Dorian Gray at the Haymarket, The Divine Mrs S at the Hampstead.
When I tell you to see Operation Mincemeat, you are to understand that this show IS to be seen.
Pub theatres like the Rosemary Branch, the Finborough, the Brockley Jack, and the Camden Etcetera are always worth keeping an eye on.
Happy theatre viewing!
posted by Pallas Athena at 12:53 PM on March 5 [4 favorites]
Yep, the Royal Court is the place to go for contemporary theatre - it’s the main theatre for new writing in London. Tavegyl’s list is good.
The Arcola has some interesting stuff in a kind of fringe-y way. I’ve always meant to try The Bush amd The Finborough, again kind of fringe-y but potentially interesting.
I’ve actually never been to the Globe, despite being a frequent theatre-goer, mostly because I like sitting in comfort too much.
posted by penguin pie at 12:58 PM on March 5
The Arcola has some interesting stuff in a kind of fringe-y way. I’ve always meant to try The Bush amd The Finborough, again kind of fringe-y but potentially interesting.
I’ve actually never been to the Globe, despite being a frequent theatre-goer, mostly because I like sitting in comfort too much.
posted by penguin pie at 12:58 PM on March 5
I enjoyed a play at Hampstead Theatre in 2022, will look them up again on my next trip to London, whenever that may be. They seem to specialize in producing new works, so you'd be very unlikely to see anything they have in the US.
posted by sk932 at 1:43 PM on March 5
posted by sk932 at 1:43 PM on March 5
Seconding Mincemeat it's fantastic
posted by ch1x0r at 2:13 PM on March 5 [2 favorites]
posted by ch1x0r at 2:13 PM on March 5 [2 favorites]
If you're looking for something off the beaten path, I saw several shows at The Battersea Arts Center when I lived in London, and they were all really awesome and unique.
I also can't say enough about the show Everybody's Talking About Jamie.
Also very fun in London's West End is The Play That Goes Wrong.
posted by pazazygeek at 2:33 PM on March 5 [1 favorite]
I also can't say enough about the show Everybody's Talking About Jamie.
Also very fun in London's West End is The Play That Goes Wrong.
posted by pazazygeek at 2:33 PM on March 5 [1 favorite]
The Bridge Theatre, right by the south end of Tower Bridge, is great — a new theatre that Nicholas Hytner helped found in 2017 after he ended his hugely successful run as Artistic Director at the National.
The only fly in the ointment is that their current production is Guys and Dolls, so quintessential Broadway, BUT it’s not performed in the way you would expect to see on Broadway. There are seats around the edge, but most of the audience is standing in the action which goes on on ever changing raised platforms in their midst. It sounds like an odd way of doing things but it works really well, which isn’t that surprising as it’s directed by Nicholas Hytner himself. I’ve seen a couple of shows there, Midsummer Night’s Dream and G&D, and both were highly enjoyable.
If the show’s too American for you, keep the Bridge on your list of places to check next time.
posted by Quinbus Flestrin at 3:33 PM on March 5
The only fly in the ointment is that their current production is Guys and Dolls, so quintessential Broadway, BUT it’s not performed in the way you would expect to see on Broadway. There are seats around the edge, but most of the audience is standing in the action which goes on on ever changing raised platforms in their midst. It sounds like an odd way of doing things but it works really well, which isn’t that surprising as it’s directed by Nicholas Hytner himself. I’ve seen a couple of shows there, Midsummer Night’s Dream and G&D, and both were highly enjoyable.
If the show’s too American for you, keep the Bridge on your list of places to check next time.
posted by Quinbus Flestrin at 3:33 PM on March 5
Seconding The Bush and The Bridge! Great venues both.
posted by Pallas Athena at 11:51 PM on March 5
posted by Pallas Athena at 11:51 PM on March 5
Thirding Operation Mincemeat! There are rumours of an eventual Broadway transfer, but I can't imagine it hitting the same outside of the UK.
The new Jez Butterworth play The Hills of California is getting plenty of buzz. For Black Boys... is well-reviewed and focuses on the Black British experience.
For contemporary dance: The Place.
posted by Glier's Goetta at 4:15 AM on March 6
The new Jez Butterworth play The Hills of California is getting plenty of buzz. For Black Boys... is well-reviewed and focuses on the Black British experience.
For contemporary dance: The Place.
posted by Glier's Goetta at 4:15 AM on March 6
In East London, the Yard Theatre has a strong program of new theatre, Wilton's Music Hall has a huge range of shows and is worth visiting for the building alone, and Theatre Royal Stratford East is always lively.
The Globe is entirely legit. My recent visits have been with a £5 standing ticket at Saturday matinees (so no school groups). Standing is more comfortable than sitting at that theatre, and it's a great, involving experience. The production of The Tempest that Julnyes mentioned was so good I saw it twice.
posted by kelper at 10:28 AM on March 6
The Globe is entirely legit. My recent visits have been with a £5 standing ticket at Saturday matinees (so no school groups). Standing is more comfortable than sitting at that theatre, and it's a great, involving experience. The production of The Tempest that Julnyes mentioned was so good I saw it twice.
posted by kelper at 10:28 AM on March 6
The Arcola in Dalston, the Theatre Royal Stratford (East London, not Stratford-upon-Avon), and Southwark Playhouse all have interesting and (given London's eye-wateringly expensive theatre prices) affordable productions.
posted by essexjan at 11:52 AM on March 6 [1 favorite]
posted by essexjan at 11:52 AM on March 6 [1 favorite]
I saw Twelfth Night at the Globe and it was one of the more transcendent theater experiences of my life.
Alongside the big companies, London's fringe theater scene is also amazing. Get a copy of Time Out and just try any of the smaller shows that appeal to you from the descriptions. You're likely to see some amazing work in really interesting settings.
posted by augustimagination at 1:52 PM on March 6 [1 favorite]
Alongside the big companies, London's fringe theater scene is also amazing. Get a copy of Time Out and just try any of the smaller shows that appeal to you from the descriptions. You're likely to see some amazing work in really interesting settings.
posted by augustimagination at 1:52 PM on March 6 [1 favorite]
I recently saw Sarah Snook (Succession) in Picture of Dorian Gray--with some film magic she plays all the parts and it is a must-see. Also saw Macbeth with Ralph Fiennes which was staggering.
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 2:24 PM on March 6 [1 favorite]
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 2:24 PM on March 6 [1 favorite]
Not much to add to the great suggestions above, especially the Old Vic, but you could also look at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Re the Globe, I find the least uncomfortable strategy is the back row of benches, against the wall.
I don't think Time Out is published in print now.
posted by paduasoy at 3:50 AM on March 8
I don't think Time Out is published in print now.
posted by paduasoy at 3:50 AM on March 8
Enjoyed the Globe a lot, on a summer's day; bonus, that play was staged partly inside and partly outside. Maybe mileage varies during the school year. And then you're primed to walk along Southbank.
My first stop when I was lucky enough to get over there frequently was a Stars on Stage West End website. Got to see some productions with actors I was excited to see (mostly from GoT). I'd also check out Seat Monkey before buying.
posted by troywestfield at 8:35 AM on March 8
My first stop when I was lucky enough to get over there frequently was a Stars on Stage West End website. Got to see some productions with actors I was excited to see (mostly from GoT). I'd also check out Seat Monkey before buying.
posted by troywestfield at 8:35 AM on March 8
Best answer: Thank you for these recs! In the end, we saw:
Austentatious -- fabulously silly, enjoyed by the whole family.
Opening Night -- truly awful (they'd announced their closing after we bought tickets); the first act was okay but the second literally made us angry. However, props to the cast who were all in marvelous voice.
Cherry Orchard -- at Donmar. Enjoyed the theater-in-the-round immersive aspect, liked the first act more than the second.
London Tide -- at the National Theater. Loved the staging but the play was lightly meh; the incidental music was nice but the songs were blah, the lyrics were trite, and the cast profoundly could not sing the (mostly low) notes. Also noticeably worse in the second act than the first.
posted by BlahLaLa at 9:47 AM on May 8 [2 favorites]
Austentatious -- fabulously silly, enjoyed by the whole family.
Opening Night -- truly awful (they'd announced their closing after we bought tickets); the first act was okay but the second literally made us angry. However, props to the cast who were all in marvelous voice.
Cherry Orchard -- at Donmar. Enjoyed the theater-in-the-round immersive aspect, liked the first act more than the second.
London Tide -- at the National Theater. Loved the staging but the play was lightly meh; the incidental music was nice but the songs were blah, the lyrics were trite, and the cast profoundly could not sing the (mostly low) notes. Also noticeably worse in the second act than the first.
posted by BlahLaLa at 9:47 AM on May 8 [2 favorites]
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posted by Meldanthral at 11:17 AM on March 5 [2 favorites]