June trip to London - Need Theater + Other Advice
May 4th, 2005, 10:10 AM
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June trip to London - Need Theater + Other Advice
My mother and I are flying across the pond to England in June. We'll be on our own in London from June 7-10 and then join a small tour group from June 11-17 for a tour of sacred sites in SW England. I'll ask questions about the second part of our trip on another thread - this thread is my questions about London.
I've already booked our hotel - The Sanctuary House - so that's done. With only 3 1/2 days in London, I know there is no possible way to see everything, but I've been reading past threads to get advice and will come up with a draft itinerary and post it here later for your advice.
One of the things I KNOW that we want to do is see a show at a theatre. My mother likes musicals, so I'm concentrating on those. I've reviewed the London theatre websites and have picked 5 shows that are possibilities. I would love your opinions on these shows AND on the theatre they are in. For me, half of the fun of going to a show is if it is in a nice (or even gorgeous) theatre. Also would like advice on whether I should order the tickets now or take a chance and try to get them at the TKTS booth. The shows I'm considering are:
- The Far Pavillions at the Shaftesbury
- Guys and Dolls at Picadilly
- Les Miserables at Queen's
- The Producers at Drury Lane
- Alegria: Cirque de Soleil at Royal Albert Hall
Thanks in advance!
I've already booked our hotel - The Sanctuary House - so that's done. With only 3 1/2 days in London, I know there is no possible way to see everything, but I've been reading past threads to get advice and will come up with a draft itinerary and post it here later for your advice.
One of the things I KNOW that we want to do is see a show at a theatre. My mother likes musicals, so I'm concentrating on those. I've reviewed the London theatre websites and have picked 5 shows that are possibilities. I would love your opinions on these shows AND on the theatre they are in. For me, half of the fun of going to a show is if it is in a nice (or even gorgeous) theatre. Also would like advice on whether I should order the tickets now or take a chance and try to get them at the TKTS booth. The shows I'm considering are:
- The Far Pavillions at the Shaftesbury
- Guys and Dolls at Picadilly
- Les Miserables at Queen's
- The Producers at Drury Lane
- Alegria: Cirque de Soleil at Royal Albert Hall
Thanks in advance!
May 4th, 2005, 10:18 AM
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Thanks for your comments on MamaMia, JoeTro. However, the reason it isn't on my list is two-fold (1) I've seen it recently .. and yes, I LOVED it, and (2) my mother isn't familiar with ABBA's music at all. Otherwise, you bet it would be on my list!
May 4th, 2005, 10:24 AM
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IMO, Les Mis has the best chance of being at the 1/2 price tickets booth because it has been playing such a long time. From what I understand The Producers remains a very hot ticket.
I wasn't crazy about The Producers myself, but I can't see that our opinions about shows will really help YOU choose. I think liking The Producers depends a lot on being a fan of Mel Brooks's comedy, which I am not.
I wasn't crazy about The Producers myself, but I can't see that our opinions about shows will really help YOU choose. I think liking The Producers depends a lot on being a fan of Mel Brooks's comedy, which I am not.
May 4th, 2005, 10:52 AM
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I have never had much success with good musicals at the half price booth so if you really want to see something I would book ahead.
The best one I have seen lately was "The Lion King" I took my mother (not a Disney fan) and she loved it!
The best one I have seen lately was "The Lion King" I took my mother (not a Disney fan) and she loved it!
May 4th, 2005, 11:27 AM
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Wow, I love this board. I didn't know there was a musical of The Far Pavilions! I have the book and the miniseries - the miniseries came out in the 80's. Slightly cheesy but still a very good story. So I would pick that one. However, I just pulled up a few reviews and they are mixed...
May 4th, 2005, 11:37 AM
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You can see what shows are available at the half-price ticket booth by checking this website:
http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/tkts/today
The site only lists the performance that are available on the day you look at it, so there's no guarantee that tickets to a particular show will be available on the day you want to see it, but it will give you an idea of what shows are generally available.
By the way, I notice that The Woman in White isn't on your list. I wasn't thrilled with it when I saw it last fall (I'm not a big Lloyd Webber fan), but I thought I'd mention it because you said, "For me, half of the fun of going to a show is if it is in a nice (or even gorgeous) theatre", and the Palace, where The Woman in White is playing, is an absolutely gorgeous theatre.
http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/tkts/today
The site only lists the performance that are available on the day you look at it, so there's no guarantee that tickets to a particular show will be available on the day you want to see it, but it will give you an idea of what shows are generally available.
By the way, I notice that The Woman in White isn't on your list. I wasn't thrilled with it when I saw it last fall (I'm not a big Lloyd Webber fan), but I thought I'd mention it because you said, "For me, half of the fun of going to a show is if it is in a nice (or even gorgeous) theatre", and the Palace, where The Woman in White is playing, is an absolutely gorgeous theatre.
May 4th, 2005, 12:02 PM
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Of all your selections I would recommend "The Producers" at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
I saw the musical there last November and I loved it. I laughed until tears streamed down my face... I do appreciate Mel Brook's humor though.
The theater has 400 years of history. There have been several incarnations , the first one was built in 1663..think Nell Gwynne
That theater burned and another was built on the same location..I believe that one burned, too.
The present day theater was built in 1812, but of course it has undergone many updates, the last update was fairly recent, if memory serves.
There are several balconies and tiers of boxes , there are an impressive number of chandeliers and sconces .
I haven't seen the play that is now at the Shaftsbury, but I was last in the theater in November. The theater is cozy but a bit shabby. I'm not saying I don't like the Shaftsbury, I'm just saying it isn't as 'grand' as some of your other choices.
The Royal Albert Hall is grand and it is huge... something like 5000 seats.
I have seen Le Mis in London but that was when it was showing at The Palace. I ,too, would imagine Le Mis would be the easiest ticket to find at a discount.
I don't recall ever having seen a play at the Queen's Theater, but I've walked by it many times. The facade of the theater is modern looking.
I saw the musical there last November and I loved it. I laughed until tears streamed down my face... I do appreciate Mel Brook's humor though.
The theater has 400 years of history. There have been several incarnations , the first one was built in 1663..think Nell Gwynne
That theater burned and another was built on the same location..I believe that one burned, too.
The present day theater was built in 1812, but of course it has undergone many updates, the last update was fairly recent, if memory serves.
There are several balconies and tiers of boxes , there are an impressive number of chandeliers and sconces .
I haven't seen the play that is now at the Shaftsbury, but I was last in the theater in November. The theater is cozy but a bit shabby. I'm not saying I don't like the Shaftsbury, I'm just saying it isn't as 'grand' as some of your other choices.
The Royal Albert Hall is grand and it is huge... something like 5000 seats.
I have seen Le Mis in London but that was when it was showing at The Palace. I ,too, would imagine Le Mis would be the easiest ticket to find at a discount.
I don't recall ever having seen a play at the Queen's Theater, but I've walked by it many times. The facade of the theater is modern looking.
May 4th, 2005, 03:33 PM
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Thanks for all your comments. This is exactly the kind of feedback that I'm looking for!
I've dropped Cirque de Soleil off the list. As much as I like them, there are many venues for Cirque in the U.S. - touring and otherwise. And the reviews tell me that Allegria isn't one of their best shows. And even though I would really like to see it, I found out that the touring show of "The Producers" is coming to my city (Minneapolis, MN) next year. Not sure about "The Far Pavillions" yet. I checked and the reviews are pretty spotty.
I've ADDED The Woman In White and The Lion King (at the Lyceum) to the list. Still not even close to making up my mind yet, so keep your comments coming!
One question ... if I do decide to take my chances for tickets to Le Mis at the TKTS booth, what is the best time of day to go there?
I've dropped Cirque de Soleil off the list. As much as I like them, there are many venues for Cirque in the U.S. - touring and otherwise. And the reviews tell me that Allegria isn't one of their best shows. And even though I would really like to see it, I found out that the touring show of "The Producers" is coming to my city (Minneapolis, MN) next year. Not sure about "The Far Pavillions" yet. I checked and the reviews are pretty spotty.
I've ADDED The Woman In White and The Lion King (at the Lyceum) to the list. Still not even close to making up my mind yet, so keep your comments coming!
One question ... if I do decide to take my chances for tickets to Le Mis at the TKTS booth, what is the best time of day to go there?
May 4th, 2005, 06:01 PM
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If it were me, I'd go to The Producers, even though it's coming to your town. It's a great show and a great venue. Guys and Dolls would also be a great choice and one that you wouldn't see at home (at least not with Ewan McGregor).
I saw Woman in White at the Palace (great theater, so-so show) and Les Mis at The Queens (great show, claustrophic theater).
Also, I *highly* recommend seeing a Shakespeare play at Regent's Park or at The Globe.
I saw Woman in White at the Palace (great theater, so-so show) and Les Mis at The Queens (great show, claustrophic theater).
Also, I *highly* recommend seeing a Shakespeare play at Regent's Park or at The Globe.
May 4th, 2005, 06:41 PM
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Marie -- Don't take The Producers off your list just because it will be coming to your town. Some of your other choces are good too, but you really couldn't go wrong w/ the Producers.
There is no comparison between a West End production -- especially at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane -- and a road show in a regional US theater. Plus it will cost less to see it in London.
For example - a touring company of the Lion King is now playing in Sacramento and the seats run from about $45 to $157 . You can see it at the Lyceum in London for 1/2 that.
Even w/ the poor $/£ exchange rates and recent ticket price increases, London theatre is still an amazing bargain. And when you throw in some of the fabulous venues like Drury Lane - there is no comtest . . . .
There is no comparison between a West End production -- especially at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane -- and a road show in a regional US theater. Plus it will cost less to see it in London.
For example - a touring company of the Lion King is now playing in Sacramento and the seats run from about $45 to $157 . You can see it at the Lyceum in London for 1/2 that.
Even w/ the poor $/£ exchange rates and recent ticket price increases, London theatre is still an amazing bargain. And when you throw in some of the fabulous venues like Drury Lane - there is no comtest . . . .
