FAQ
Top West End shows?
We recommend seeing at least one of the following shows if you visit London.
Tina Turner is a legend; her story has become a hit musical! This fantastic show chronicles Tina’s life, from her humble beginnings in Nutbush, Tennessee, to her rise to international superstardom. Get ready to rock out to all of Tina’s greatest hits, including “Proud Mary,” “River Deep – Mountain High,” and “What’s Love Got to Do with It.” Don’t miss your chance to see it!
The Lion King is a spectacular stage production of the classic Disney film. The story is brought to life with beautiful sets, costumes, puppetry, and the music of Elton John and Tim Rice.
Les Miserables is a musical based on the novel by Victor Hugo. The story is set in France during the French Revolution and follows the lives of several characters as they struggle through poverty, love, and loss. The musical features iconic theatrical songs, including “I Dreamed a Dream” and “On My Own”. The Les Miserables musical production has been running for over 30 years and is one of the most popular musicals in the world.
Mamma Mia is a feel-good musical that has entertained audiences in theatreland for over two decades. The story follows the journey of a young woman, Sophie, as she tries to discover the identity of her father. With the help of her mother’s diary, she narrows down the possibilities to three former Flames of her mother. The story is set to the catchy tunes of ABBA and will leave you with a beaming smile.
Top 10 West End Musicals
What shows are on at which theatre?
Theatre Royal Drury Lane – Frozen the Musical
Lyceum Theatre – Lion King
Aldwych Theatre – The Tina Turner Musical
Cambridge Theatre – Matilda
Apollo Victoria Theatre – Wicked
Duchess Theatre – The Play That Goes Wrong
Piccadilly Theatre – Moulin Rouge
Sondheim Theatre – Les Miserables
Adelphi Theatre – Back to The Future
Apollo Victoria Theatre – Wicked
Novello Theatre – Mamma Mia
Vaudeville Theatre – Six the Musical
How many theatres are in the West End?
It all depends on your definition of West End theatre! Some classify it as any theatre in the loosely defined entertainment district known as the West End (typically Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Oxford Street, Regent Street and their surrounding side streets). The City of Westminster contains these areas and is home to 53 theatre venues.
However, some of these theatres are small, independent venues which don’t host big musical productions typically associated with the term ‘West End shows’. Equally, some of these shows are hosted at venues in other parts of town. By this definition, there are around 40 West End theatres in London. So there’s no excuse for a quiet night in!
How to book London theatre tickets?
Buying theatre tickets for West End Shows is very straightforward; click the “Book Tickets” button on any show page, then choose your seats via our live booking platform.
Once payment is completed, you will receive an email confirmation with your booking reference number and eTickets.
Upon arrival at the venue, display the eTickets on your phone or show the box office a printed ticket.
What is West End theatre?
History of London Theatre
London’s theatre scene has a long and storied history, going back to the Elizabethan era when The Theatre opened its doors in 1576. This was shortly followed by William Shakespeare and Oscar Wilde, among other famous playwrights that established their mark on London’s cultural heritage during this period. Fast forward to the 19th century, when iconic venues like Theater Royal Drury Lane graced West End stages as an essential hub for theatrical activity at the turn of the century. However, subsequent innovations such as cinema and television created a temporary hurdle throughout much of the twentieth century – one which is since been overcome with today’s resurgence in appreciation, living up to its esteemed past iteration once more.
Famous theatres
The West End is an iconic hub of traditional culture and entertainment, with a range of historic theatres for visitors to explore. From the world-renowned 18th-century Theatre Royal Drury Lane to London’s oldest still-functioning theatre – The Savoy – which has hosted some legendary productions. The renowned London Coliseum stages English National Opera performances. At the same time, other venues such as Victoria Palace Theatre, Prince Edward Theatre, Novello Theatre and Lyceum provide further opportunities along with hotspots like the prestigious London Palladium.
West End shows
London’s West End is a world-famous beacon of theatre culture, boasting an exciting array of original plays, comedies and revivals. This vibrant centre for entertainment features some of the longest-running shows such as “Les Misérables,” “The Phantom Of The Opera”, and “Wicked”. Stretching from Covent Garden to Soho to Leicester Square, this theatrical mecca serves not just Londoners but also visitors who come far and wide in pursuit of outstanding performances by acclaimed actors on its stages.
London’s theatre scene in the 21st century
London’s theatre scene is a vibrant, ever-evolving cultural hub in the 21st century. The West End remains a beating heart; however, smaller fringe theatres have become renowned for their innovative and experimental productions. Digital technology has revolutionised London’s theatrical landscape – introducing interactive elements to engage broader audiences than before through live streaming capabilities. Whatever one desires from a night out at the theatre can be found amongst this diverse narrative of cultures and genres ranging from traditional plays to cutting-edge works of art that immerse you into an entirely different world!