London West End: What’s Good

OP - when are you going to be there? Also, does it HAVE to be commercial West End theatre? There are obviously dozens of non-commercial theatre companies in London. And, can you give us an idea of your taste? The shows you've enjoyed in the past? Whether in the UK or elsewhere?

I’ll be there in October and I like a broad range. I’m really most invested in seeing excellent performers. I want Royal Academy or Shakespeare types!

I’m American and would like to see something that isn’t warmed over Hollywood garbage. Tough, considering this seems to fill theater seats wherever you go.

I’ll be going with one flexible person and one who’s triggered by musicals. I should take her to Mamma Mia to see how she handles frauen singing in the aisles, right?

Buy yourself a Time Out when you get there- the U.K versions for theater are very comprehensive- from the hottest West End ticket to some weird performance art piece being done above a pub. You'll get a good breakdown + tips on how to get tickets.

Thanks, r3! The online Time Out has been limiting.

The Royal Academy is an art gallery.

It's quite commercial but the musical Six got race reviews, based on Henry's better halves

OP, beyond the listings for commercial West End theatre, you can check out what's playing at London's non-profit theatres. Someone actually just posted about the big players in this space on All That Chat, funnily, so I'm just copying and pasting their list for you...

National Theatre

Royal Court

Old Vic

Young Vic

Almeida

Donmar Warehouse

Bridge

Shakespeare's Globe

The Barbican

Royal Shakespeare Company

Menier Chocolate Factory

Southwark Playhouse

Hampstead Theatre

Lyric Hammersmith

The tips here have been helpful, my DLers! Thank you.

As of now, we have tickets for Pygmalion at the Old Vic. We’ll check around when there to see if anything else works for us, too.

The Royal Academy was one of THE world’s premier schools for acting. Has it dissolved??

OP, we are going in late September and have already bought tix for PYGMALION at The Old Vic starring Bertie Carvel and Patsy Ferran, two great actors we love, a one man UNCLE VANYA starring Andrew Scott (the priest from FLEABAG) and OPERATION MINCEMEAT, which we've heard amazing stuff about.

On our last trip last March we saw GUYS & DOLLS at The Bridge and it is absolutely unmissable! The most fun I've had at a musical in years, far better than all that junk on Broadway.

Lots of London theater, both in the West End and at the theater companies is available daily at the 1/2 Price Booth near Leicester Square on the day of performance (sometimes a day or two earlier). I think it opens daily around 11 am. Definitely check it out but make sure you go to the official booth as you'll see signs for other 1/2 price tix in the area that are scams.

Oh, I see now that you already have the PYGMALION tix. Great choice!

West End town, a dead end world

Check out 'The Motive and the Cue', a transfer from the National Theatre to the West End. It is about John Gielgud directing Richard Burton in a Broadway production of Hamlet, and portrays the creative process in general. Mark Gatiss has received rave reviews; he is perhaps best known to American audiences as Mycroft Holmes (Sherlock's brother) in the TV series.

Nicole Scherzinger stars in the revival of Sunset Boulevard at the Savoy Theatre in the West End. Performances begin 21 Sept.

o m g I just got tix for Frank & Percy with Ian McKellen and Roger Allam, and Lyonesse w/Kristin Scott-Thomas and Lily James. I'm pretty happy right now

I was so excited to see the West End production of All About Eve several years ago. Unfortunately, it was a piece of shit and almost completely ruined my trip to London.

An exhibit of Diana’s dresses at Kensington Palace helped salvage the weekend.

Sadly, I believe The Motive and the Cue is now between engagements at The National and in the West End. Otherwise I'd be sure to see it when I'm there in late Sept. Hopefully, it'll still be in its West End run when I'm back in the spring.

"Stardust", Stephen Sondheim's recently discovered musical version of the movie "Showgirls".

Sondheim mentioned reminds me that Bernadette Peters will be in Old Friends this February at the Gielgud.

There will be some upcoming performances I’m sorry to miss after the new year. Ralph Fiennes in MacBeth and Brian Cox in Long Day's Journey into Night, primarily.

I missed out on tickets for Lyonesse, they’ve been mostly scooped up through October.

Oh, and r16? You’re a whore, darlin.