Take A Break & Escape To London Theatre Land
From the Adelphi to the Victoria Palace, central London has over forty theatres. For countless visitors, 'taking in a show' is one of the key attractions – but with so much choice on offer, where do they start?
London's biggest concentration of theatres lies at the heart of the bustling West End, traditionally bordered by The Strand, Oxford Street, Regent Street and Kingsway. Some people also include the complex on the South Bank in this definition of Theatreland. The Strand itself is one of the prominent streets for theatres, together with Drury Lane and Shaftesbury Avenue.
The majority of the theatres are from the late Victorian or Edwardian period, with fascinating histories attached. Most of them retain great character and, for many visitors, entering a theatre's grand facade and taking in its detailed, luxurious interior all enhances their enjoyment of the show itself.
Musicals are the firmest favourite with theatre-goers and so tend to run longer than stage plays, many of them for thousands of performances. In fact, Les Miserables, currently at the Queen's Theatre, has been running for a phenomenal 24 years. It has even earned its own colloquial name of 'Les Miz.' Based on Victor Hugo's 1862 novel bearing the same name, the musical follows the intertwining lives of a cast of poor, unfortunate characters struggling for redemption.
Heart strings are also tugged in Willy Russell's long-running musical Blood Brothers, currently playing at the Phoenix Theatre. Now in its twentieth year, it tells the contemporary story of twins who were separated at birth, tragically both falling for the same girl.
There is certainly no shortage of musicals to choose from. Content can range from sad and thought-provoking, right through the fun of Mamma Mia! at the Prince of Wales Theatre and on up to futuristic, such as We Will Rock You, with its bumper stock of Queen songs and now in its eighth year at The Dominion.
Meanwhile, Andrew Lloyd Webber's productions continue to prove incredibly popular. His musical Cats ran for almost 9,000 performances and his equally successful Phantom of the Opera, based on the novel by Gaston Leroux, is at Her Majesty's Theatre enjoying its 23rd year. Lloyd Webber's new musical, Love Never Dies, opens in March 2010 at The Adelphi and picks up the story of 'Phantom.'
Also popular are stage plays, many of which enjoy lengthy runs, although none have yet caught The Mousetrap, currently showing at St Martins Theatre, which has now been playing for a staggering 56 years. As this murder mystery play by Agatha Christie has a twist at the end, which audiences are asked to keep to themselves, there must be thousands of people longing to tell someone the ending!
The Woman in Black, adapted from Susan Hill's horror novel, still has the audience trembling in their seats at the Fortune Theatre. This stage play about a sinister spectre haunting a small English town is now in its 21st year.
Other, less-menacing shows also appear to be set for long runs. The Lion King, for instance, is still drawing in strong audiences at The Lyceum ten years after its opening, as is Billy Elliott at the Victoria Palace Theatre, currently dancing into its fourth year.
Musicals performing songs that are already well-known, such as Grease (Piccadilly Theatre) and the more recent Thriller (Lyric) continue to be popular with those looking for a 'sing-along' element. Also enjoying open-ended runs are Hairspray at the Shaftesbury Theatre, Dirty Dancing at the Aldwych and the more recent Sister Act at the London Palladium,
Some shows lend themselves to much shorter, seasonal runs for smaller audiences, such as A Christmas Carol at the two-tier auditorium of the Arts Theatre in Westminster.
One thing is for sure, seasonal or long-running, the productions playing in London's West End Theatres seem set to draw in audiences for many thousands of performances to come.
Written by Glynis Charlton for Cheap Hotel Chains
A Selection of London Theatre Hotels
Radisson Edwardian Hampshire Hotel |
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True London Elegance In the heart of theatreland, the Hampshire enjoys a sensational Leicester Square location. Dominating the south side of the square, this is a hotel accustomed to film premieres and 'First Night' parties, but for all the glamour, the Hampshire has real warmth. Step inside and it's all about tranquil luxury in a space that's flooded with natural light. White orchids, cool Asian art, leather-clad walls and Phillipe Hurel furniture create a mood of contemporary elegance. Click here to view |
Chancery Lane Apartments |
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Your Own Theatre Pad Conveniently located in London, in the charming Holborn district, the Chancery Lane Residence offers comfortable accommodations in one of the Europe's busiest cities. Thanks to the excellent nearby transport links, this convenient London Residence allows you easy access to the West End and the city centre, with its numerous sights and attractions, and to the main business and shopping areas. Only a few steps on foot from the Chancery Lane tube station, the modern Chancery Lane Residence is perfectly located for a nice city break close to everything in London. Click here to view |
President's Hotel London |
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West End Hotel for £52! Offering traditional values and exceptional service, the President Hotel London provides you all the facilities required for a comfortable and a relaxing stay. The President Hotel London is situated in Russell Square and is within a short distance to Kings Cross as well as the Euston stations. The British Museum, Covent Garden and many of London's theatres are also placed within walking distance from the hotel. Click here to view |
The London Theatre Hotel Guide |
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128 Theatrel Hotels |