Explore The West End - London’s Theatre Land

By Hayley Doyle

Oh, darling! Fancy a trip to the theatre?

The theatre capital of the world is without a doubt, London. Any trip to the big smoke is not complete without taking in a show. Posters line the walls of the Underground as you ascend and descend upon the escalators (and ALWAYS stand on the right!). Iconic images are displayed of the Phantom’s mask, French waif Cosette, or a bride about to chuck a bouquet. There’s always a brand new show with five star reviews and the hottest ticket in town. The A-list take their turns to tread the boards and do a limited run of a well-known play, usually directed by Sam Mendes or Jamie Lloyd. From Disney to Abba to Shakespeare, there’s something for everyone and every age. But how do you choose? How do know where to sit? And what should you expect from a night out in the West End?

·      Classic West End

Les Miserablés has been seen by over 130 million people worldwide in 53 countries and in 22 languages. It’s more than a tick-the-box experience. There’s a reason it’s been running for almost 30 years because quite simply, it’s magnificent. A good central seat is recommended for the full effect, and closer to the stage to see the passion and expressions clearly. The show can feel a little dark and dismal watching it up in the Gods. As for another classic, The Phantom of the Opera, this is rather tired as a production. The once shocking special effects have dated and although the music is compelling with world class singers, this show could do with a few licks of paint. A real treat to see is, Wicked. This is the untold tale of how the witch from The Wizard of Oz became wicked. The songs are impressive, and the female vocals even more so, with magical scenery, costumes and a story that will change how you watch the classic movie forever! Wicked’s home is the Apollo Victoria with more 2000 seats, so it’s easy to get decent tickets without fear of a sell-out. Or, if you’d prefer to visit the Greek island, the face of musical theatre was forever changed 25 years ago when the West End was hit with Abba classic, Mamma Mia! Now playing at the Novello Theatre, this show is still a great night out for hen parties, best friends and families with kids over 10.

·      Popular Treats

The multi-Olivier Award-winning musical, Standing at the Sky's Edge, has just transferred to the Gillian Lynne Theatre and is the new show not to be missed. Still blowing audiences away is Hamilton, the Broadway hit, now a huge sensation in London. Tickets do sell fast and it won’t be cheap, but it’s worth the hype. Or experience the KitKat Club and watch Cabaret, hailed as the best show in town. Cara Delevingne will be making her West End stage debut as Sally Bowles soon, too. If you fancy a more immersive treat, then head to the Bridge Theatre for the latest smash hit, Guys and Dolls, and be part of the action as the story takes place around you. Standing tickets are available as well as seats, depending on your preferred experience. The glorious Hadestown has just opened to rave reviews and traditional musicals Kiss Me Kate and Hello Dolly have also just flew into the West End scene. Or fancy a big dollop of nostalgia? The musical version of Back to the Future will whizz you from the 80s to 1955 in the famous DeLorean! Tickets can be purchased online and all sites have similar rates, but sometimes heading to the theatre and chatting to the box office staff can get you the best deal, especially if you go there on the day. London Theatre Direct and TodayTix have various deals running each week, too.

·      Plays

If you want to catch a big star on the big stage, you’ll currently find The Morning Show’s Billy Crudup as Harry Clarke at the Ambassador’s Theatre, and Dominic West at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in A View from the Bridge. For any Harry Potter fans out there, The Cursed Child is still going strong, now in its 8th year at the Palace Theatre. This play is in two parts and tickets are sold separately, so if you want to see the whole story, you might want to catch a matinee and evening show or spread it out over a couple of nights. A new hit is The Hills of California which is written by Jez Butterworth and directed by Oscar-winner Sam Mendes, so settle in for some juicy script writing and family saga.

·      Kids Shows

The best kids show is still, Matilda. It’s not easy to get matinee tickets for younger children, so book in advance and look out for special deals like Kids Week where you get half price tickets. For little ones, The Tiger that Came to Tea makes a regular comeback with child-friendly 11am shows. This summer will see the return of Shrek the Musical, too.

Disney favourites The Lion King and Frozen are both stunning shows which introduce children to the West End to make magical memories. Shame that the ticket prices aren’t magical…or, are they? Use this tip; if you have a Disney+ account, log in and select Magical Mondays every week at midday. A selection of top price tickets are available for around £30 which is a huge saving. Be quick though because these tickets sell out fast and are only available for shows over the next seven days. The Lion King is coming up to its 25th birthday in the West End and is still going strong, but if you want to take your little ones to see Elsa, Anna and Olaf, you better hurry. Frozen is closing in September 2024.

·      Coming Soon

The Michael Jackson broadway smash, MJ The Musical, will be gracing the West End stage from April 2024. Ultimate dance musical, A Chorus Line, will open this summer, along with a musical version of Mean Girls, and The Devil Wears Prada makes its stage debut later in the year. You can book advance tickets for all upcoming West End shows now.

·      Dress Code

Anything goes… no pun intended! There is no dress code for the West End, simply wear what you feel comfortable in. Some people enjoy dressing up, however people also come straight from the office or from a day out sightseeing. Go with comfort because many of these theatres are very old and legroom is tight, especially if you need to take a raincoat off and roll it up beneath your seat!

·      Location

Most West End theatres are in easy walking distance of Leicester Square, Charing Cross and Piccadilly Circus tube stations on the London Underground. Covent Garden tube station gets crazy busy at weekends and can only take passengers underground via a lift, causing a build up of crowds. But don’t worry! Covent Garden is only a five-minute walk from Leicester Square and a seven-minute walk from Charing Cross, so they are much better options if possible. You will find many theatres on The Strand, dotted around Covent Garden and around St Martin’s Lane, with more on Shaftesbury Avenue. There are also major venues in Victoria (where you will find Hamilton and Wicked) and the National Theatre is on the Southbank. Check your theatre location before you head into central London because you might find yourself in the wrong part of town. You don’t want to miss the opening of the show and besides, the ushers may not let you in until after the interval.

·      Food and Drink

You have everything and more when it comes to international cuisine, right beside every theatre in town! You will find plenty of easy options with chains such as Zizzi, Pizza Express and Spaghetti House, or if you fancy an English pub lunch with fish and chips then you will spot a traditional pub on every corner. In the heart of the West End is Chinatown with an array of fantastic eateries and beside that is Soho, featuring a dazzling amount of bars and restaurants. Towards Drury Lane (close to Frozen and The Lion King) plenty of smaller restaurants offer special pre-show menus which are not only great value for money, but the staff will ensure you make it on time for curtain up.

If you prefer to eat after the show, you can grab a late bite at Joe Allen’s, with a sizeable helping of style whisked in with friendliness and relaxation. This feels like a swanky New York brasserie with brick walls, live piano music and an all-American menu. You might even spot a celeb or three! Actors and musicians from the surrounding theatre productions love to come here for a spot of dinner with their celebrity pals. You could be at the next table to Stephen Fry or Dame Judi because - unlike The Ivy - there isn’t a private area reserved for the elite; everyone eats together in the main restaurant.

·      Will I spot a Celeb?!

You certainly have a good chance! Jude Law has been known to casually sip a drink outside the small pubs behind the Noel Coward Theatre. Remember, the big stars all leave via the stage door after their performances. There’s only one way in and one way out! So if you can be bothered to wait around, you might even get your programme signed before a fancy car whisks them off! Remember, these actors have just performed full out on stage for three hours and will be tired, so be respectful and don’t take it personally if they can’t stop for a chat…all cast members should be happy to give you a smile and a wave at the very least.