I'll be in London the first week of June, and would love to see Oliver!. However, I had to wait to buy tickets until I either got my Ceremony of the Keys tickets or gave up on them, since I wasn't sure which night I would be able to go to the Ceremony. The Keys tickets came in the mail today (hooray!), but now the only Oliver tickets I can find for my dates are in the next to last row of the balcony, tucked away in the far corner. How large is the Theatre Royal Drury Lane? Would I need binoculars to even realize I'm seeing Rowan Atkinson?

If it is truly the 'Balcony' - then it is the 3rd balcony (above the Grand Circle and the Upper Circle). It is a very large theatre seating nearly 2500. Even w/ binoculars it would be tough. Plus it doesn't have a/c so it can get uncomfortable way up in the top of the the theatre. I'd probably try queueing for returns -- but the chances would be pretty slim.

Drury Lane is an amazing theatre, but it's the biggest in the West End afaik...the back of the 3rd balcony is a LONG way from the stage...I'd definately think twice about booking those tickets.

Yes, it really is the Balcony. That's what I was afraid of. I think I'll look into my other theatre options. Thanks to both of you for the input!

it is a shame though - I also REALLY wanted to see RA as fagin but dithered too long and there are basically no seats the entire week I'm in London. But then again, there is no guarantee he'll be back in the show - I know they say he's only out 3 weeks but that could stretch if he doesn't recover.

Oh, I didn't realize he was out. I heard such great reviews from a couple of trip reports that I really wanted to see it, but obviously I'm not the only one!

Any other suggestions? There are so many shows I'm not familiar with that it's hard to choose! Of what's out now, I've seen Wicked twice, Les Mis, Blood Brothers and Phantom; no real interest in Dirty Dancing/Mamma Mia/We Will Rock You. I was thinking about Billy Elliot or 39 Steps. I looked at Three Days of Rain, but it looks like it's closing before I'll be there.

Do you like ballet? The Royal Ballet has some good performances on in beginning of June:

Frederick Ashton's Ondine
http://www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=7920

Balanchine's Jewels
http://www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=7101

And tribute to Diaghilev/Ballets Russes
http://www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=9639

Thanks, yk! I'm not a huge ballet person, and now that my brother is joining me for the week, I really doubt we'll be agreeing on a ballet. But I'll take a look at those - if there's one that looks great, I'm not opposed to going on my own.

Is your brother an opera fan?
While there isn't much on at ROH (Berg's Lulu; hmmm...), at the ENO there's
Cosi fan tutte (new production)
http://www.eno.org/whats-on/whats-on.php?id=1319

and Madam Butterfly (Anthony Minghella production)
http://www.eno.org/whats-on/whats-on.php?id=1285

Or, you can postpone your trip to July and see my boyfriend JDF sing Il barbiere di Siviglia at the ROH:
http://www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=8330

Ha. I'm not sure which he would be less likely to agree to! Thanks so much for all the links, though - I'll definitely check them out for myself. I'd love to see your boyfriend, after all.

Juan Diego Florez, eh...my best friend's wife (Wayland, Mass.),is another opera-happy New Englander vying for his love!!yk...
Coincidence.

Stu T.

uh oh! Stu T, you mean I have competition!???!! Oh, the horror!

I saw the Producers there with some friends a few years ago (with Nathan Lane and Lee Evans, what a great cast). We bought last minute tickets and they were nosebleeds. I had binoculars but found them distracting after a while. If you REALLY want to see it, and the price is right, why not. Just know the limitations.

We will be in London mid-May, and my sister insists on seeing War Horse. Got rave reviews. Anyone know about this play?

Avenue Q is really good, and will be re-opening at the beginning of June (they've changed theatres). I've seen it twice and definately enjoyed it (plus, I know two people in the cast, so I'm a bit biased). On the other hand, it is hilariously funny

Thanks, Scott! I was looking at that one too - I've heard it's hilarious. Is that one we'd need to buy tickets for in advance? I'm guessing so, if they're re-opening, but what do I know!

Somewhere I read that a revival of Tom Stoppard's Arcadia is scheduled for the end of May. Not a musical, but I highly recommend it.

jent103, where's your trip report???

I'm working on it, I promise! Actually it's mostly written, I'm just still processing pictures and wanted to post them with the report. I have a friend in town this weekend but I'm hoping Monday.