The ultimate guide to London theatre 🎭
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 พ.ค. 2023
- Visiting London soon and want to experience the theatre scene? London's world-famous West End has amazing plays and musicals with top-notch talent. In this video we explain how you book London theatre tickets, how to find which shows to go see, and some smaller lesser-known theatres with incredible performances you can't miss.
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Hidden historic sights you must visit in London: • Hidden historic sights...
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⭐️FREE London Trip Checklist (includes both a printable and a Notion template): loveandlondon.com/london-trip... ⭐️
♥️ MORE LONDON HELP ♥️ (some links are affiliated and help us keep producing these videos)
📗 Free London 101 Guide for first-time London visitors: goo.gl/Eh3HP3
📱 3-Day London Itinerary and 6-Day London Itinerary: (PDF guide, digital map, and more included): shop.loveandlondon.com/collec...
📍 Travel guides for London with Londoner-loved hidden gems, divided by area (The Casual Tourist Guides): bit.ly/3bgeRoj
💸 London Spending Guide (includes budget calculator spreadsheet, hotel recommendations and more): bit.ly/3OduFqy
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About Love and London:
I'm Jess, I've lived in London for many years, and this channel is a London travel guide for anyone visiting the city that wants to experience it like you live here. Beyond talking about the usual London attractions, myself and my team show you some of the cooler things to do in London, that most travel guides don't mention. Watch our videos and you'll feel like you've got a Londoner friend telling you the best kept secrets in the city.
MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:
Official London Theatre: officiallondontheatre.com/
TodayTix rush and lottery: www.todaytix.com/london/categ...
Kids Week: officiallondontheatre.com/kid...
The Barbican: www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/...
The National Theatre: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/
Shakespeare's Globe: www.shakespearesglobe.com/
The Old Vic: www.oldvictheatre.com/
Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap: uk.the-mousetrap.co.uk/
Our London trip is less than 2 weeks away and we’ll be seeing The Mousetrap and Hamilton while we are there. I’m so excited! We’ve been planning this trip for months with the help of Love and London. We’ve got their 5 day itinerary and we are more than ready to tour London like locals. Thanks, Jess!
Thank you so so much Cynthia! We really appreciate your kind words and your support through your purchase ❤️❤️❤️❤️
You’ll love, London. I prefer London over NYC
And keep the murderer to yourself after seeing the Mousetrap
😂 Enjoy London it can be fun
how was your trip?
During my last trip to London I saw three shows, Six, Wicked and Frozen. All of them were fantastic but the atmosphere at Six blew the others out of the park, both the performers and the audience were so energised and it was a phenomenal show. Still listen to the soundtrack on my phone regularly. And, while some may look down on musicals that are based on movies... honestly, Frozen is a fantastic theatre show. Tonnes of new songs, a bunch of characterisation not in the movie, and holy jeez the costuming!! There's a costume change/transition that happens so fast and flawlessly at one point in the show that the COSTUME CHANGE itself got the entire theatre (myself included) crying out in awe!
Aaaand now I'm gonna have to go book a show or two for my visit this August because I've just remembered how much I love seeing shows, haha.
I'm visiting in September and have already gotten my tickets for the Frozen show, after reading your comment now I can't wait for the day to watch the show!!
Fab ❤️❤️❤️
We have a London trip planned for 2024 and are considering moving up the date a little if they don’t extend Six again. I think it is scheduled through April 2024 already? We would love to see it in England.
@@bootsmith8016 Hope it works out for you whichever time you decide to visit! :D The soundtrack is fantastic to listen to on its own, but the story/banter between the queens between songs at the show itself adds even more.
I can recommend Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Mama Mia and Back to the Future.
Thank you so much for talking about the theatres! I studied abroad in London for theatre and the old theatres were so ornate and gorgeous!
You're welcome ❤️❤️
I have been watching your YT videos for a while but finally checked out your London 101 guide. I should have done that much sooner!! I visit soon and your guide has SO MUCH valuable info.
Awesome! Yeah it's chock full of helpful stuff. Our Itineraries and Casual Tourist Guides are even better ! Shop.loveandlondon.com
Thanks for this very informative video, Jess. It’s great that you covered options outside the “west end” too. I’m so glad you’re still making videos; I’ve recommended you to several friends.
We're glad to hear it, thanks so much!
Love this video! I'll go to Abba Voyage and the Shakespeare theatre in two weeks from now.
Can't wait!!
Also worth a mention is the Young Vic, the sibling of the Old Vic highlighted in the video. They produce and host some great work, often from up and coming writers and directors. In general, The Cut, the street in Southwark where they are located, is a great place for a drink or dinner too. That area doesn't get a a ton of tourist traffic, so it's a nice break away from the west end or Southbank.
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I had the chance to watch Frozen musical when I was in London this February and absolutely loved it. I’ll watch more musicals when I’m in London again next time.
My first trip to London was last week, thank goodness for your channel-it helped me so much! I saw Pretty Woman at the Savoy a week ago today, and I toured Shakespeare's Globe a week ago Tuesday (I'm an English Major) so that was amazing. I couldn't get tickets as Mid Summer Night's Dream was just opening last Thursday, but I did get to see part of the rehearsal during the tour. Don't worry, I'll catch one the next time. London is so beautiful, I had the best trip! (You should mention the private Buckingham Palace tours you can go on-even when it isn't open to the public-again, next time! Thanks so much Jess! -from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
We cover those in our Itineraries :) thanks for watching !
I'll be there in May and am seeing Phantom of the Opera! I can't wait!!
Love these videos, keep up your fantastic work. 👍
Thanks for watching!
You are amazing! I landed yesterday and all of your @TH-cam videos are accurate and amazing!
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Thank you so much for your videos and itineraries! Always helpful and this one was great too! We'll be leaving THIS Friday for London and have tickets for Back to the Future next week. Las time we were there we also just walked up to that TKTS booth and bought tickets for Miss Saigon - what a show...an emotional roller coaster. Got a really great deal AND great seats. Thanks again for your help. I still have to look at the updated Love and London guides I have links for haha. So close now!!
Don't wait too long to get your guides set up :) thanks for your purchases and have a great time!
On my 5th trip last year I finally decided to see some theater! I would say Mousetrap is a must! I also saw Come From Away which was very good a well, very emotional. Great video Jess!
Thanks for watching !
It was about 4 years ago when I was last in London and saw "The Play That Goes Wrong" at the Duchess Theatre. Get there early for the preshow and you might be part of it.
We are coming to London for the first time in July for BST and we are going to see Six the musical! I’m so excited.
Nice !
And Juliet was fantastic! We got tickets that day. My 14 yr old daughter had a smile on her face the whole show!
Amazing ❤️
Excellent summary Jess ❤
During summer the Open Air Theatre in Regent Park is very good. 'Evita' a few years ago was brilliant!
Thank you for making this video
Last year I saw Cabaret, which is AMAZING, and the horror play 2:22.
Great video 🥰
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I'm going in September and had already booked tickets for the Frozen show!! It's gonna be my first ever musical experience, so excited already, I got first row seats, am sure it's gonna be pretty amazing!
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I went to a good play at the National Theatre on a recent visit (Dancing at lughnasa).
I took the Uber boat from Tower hill and walked across the bridge… made for an excellent evening… even in the rain ;-)
Frozen is such a spectacular show. I loved it so much that I'm gonna visit again end of this year. I'm sure you'll have wonderful time! ❄️
Just discovered this channel. Glad I did. I was made in London, and raised in US. Looking forward to getting to know UK in the future. I suspect it will take the rest of my life to learn UK. So complicated compared to where I am from, from civic design, admin districts, politics, crown, roman/saxon history, commonwealths etc..........US is easy, sail to new land, organize a colony.
organise a colony 🤣
Saw The Lion King back in March at the Lyceum theatre for my birthday and it was the best experience of my life! I've been wanting to see that show since it first opened decades ago and to see it in London for my first time was such a treat. 🥰 The Mousetrap might have to be one I check out when I go back to London in November. You and the city have been really tempting me to consider a relocation lol Thanks for the videos and tips!
You're very welcome, thanks for watching!
A visit to see Shakespeare at the globe is a great experience I usually stand it’s cheaper then but no less fun
Just found this. I'm an actor/performer moving to the UK this Summer & found this really useful!
Ah great!
Nice video, but there was a little tear in my eye when you showed The Phoenix and Come From Away. Wish it were still playing. We’re in London in July (BST in Hyde Park…) and have to see at least one show. It “may” be Les Mis, the first West End show we saw in 1995…
Or Hamilton. The West End production was amazing in 2019. Other than explaining US history (Eliza Hamilton) to Brits, which none of us knew before Hamilton either!
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I ate this up with a spoon - great stuff - thank you!
Thanks for watching ❤️❤️
keep up your fantastic work
Loved the video!😀💜
Thanks for watching !
Am headed to London next week and saw that the Barbican is showing the Eurovision Song Contest Finale on May 13!! Trying to get my hubby to sign up.
Also, a vast number of smaller Off West End theatres and tiny Fringe venues where you can see (sometimes) fantastic shows for much lower prices than the West End.
Really useful video - theatre tickets booked!
Fab! have fun!
Heading back to London for The Lion King, Moulin Rouge (and maybe now The Moustrap); previous trips enjoyed Mamma Mia!, Wicked, and Back to the Future....!!!
I just got back from London and I saw three shows: Agatha Christie's the witness for the prosecution, Matilda and The Play that goes Wrong. All terrific shows. I have previously seen the Mouse Trap but not in London. I get why it is so popular. Such a timeless story with a happy ending unlike Witness for the Prosecution.
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I like your energy.
I will be visiting in June. Got tickets for Romeo and Juliet and planning to see Wicked too 😍
I love this channel.👍😊🇮🇪🇬🇧
Thanks!
My girlfriend and I were in London in June and saw Moulin Rouge and it was awesome!
Nice ! ❤️
Hi Jess, love your channel, as a fellow Londoner it’s a great place to find out where is good to eat, drink and be merry 🥳 Are you making any videos on romantic things to do in London in 2023? Date ideas, couples experiences etc? It’s the name of your channel after all 😁
loveandlondon.com/top-romantic-things-london/ read that ❤️❤️❤️
Very beautiful!
We're glad you enjoyed the video, thanks for watching!
I booked for We will Rock You the Musical by Queen at the Coliseum theatre in June, very good deals for the Thursday matinee show, under £20.
Nice
Going to see wicked next week at Apollo Victoria- so excited!
It’s excellent you won’t be disappointed
Nice !
I saw matilda last weekend, it's phenomenal.
I just saw Les Mis in London. Amazing!
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I was in London 3 weeks ago and spent 6 days there. I watched harry potter and the cursed child and book of mormon 🥰 however, I was not prepared for the theaters to be so hot and stuffy 🥵😅 I was quite shocked as the theaters in my country are actually comfortably chilly (if not cold) 😅
Fantastic
going to see mamma mia in a few weeks when i go to london!!im from nyc and never got the chance to see it since the show stopped playing on broadway years ago
also i’m seeing phantom too since it just ended on broadway
Fun! ❤️
I’d highly recommend The Play That Goes Wrong - it’s really funny!
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We love your channel and have totally booked our holiday from all your ideas. Yesterday here in Australia a lady mentioned that there is a problem with phone theft in London. Do you consider it safe to film with a phone?
Awesome! It's a major city so you always have to be quite careful with your belongings.
Thanks. This is helpful. Also good that London theatre is cheaper than Broadway.
Thanks for watching!
I plan on seeing cursed child which is a 2 parter. Might want to see Les mis as well or frozen.
Nice ❤️
We are going in the summer and I have our tickets booked for Phantom of the Opera. I have seen it multiple times here in California but I have always always wanted to see it in London, I can’t wait! 🥹
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What I like most about London theatre is the plethora of good plays, not just musicals on offer. Harold Pinter theatre is worth checking out for this too.
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Thank you for featuring ‘The Mousetrap’. I’ve seen it twice and, as a dedicated Agatha Christie fan, I want the whole world to see it and support its legacy!
Aw nice.❤️
I’m going to see this with my work colleagues - our social committee organises theatre trips every few months. I’ve never seen The Mousetrap before but have heard it’s really good!
I have seen The phantom of the opera, &Juliet, Come from Away, The Mousetrap and Marvellous in London, all of these was really good. Going to London again in end of May, booked tickets for The Phantom of the Opera (again) (10 years ago I watch it first and last time in London), and for Six. Very excited. :) But wondering if going to book one more. Any recommendations? :)
Fun!! Thanks for watching ❤️❤️
@@loveandlondon When was in London this time. I watched The Phantom of the Opera, Six, Oklahoma and Mamma Mia!. Would recommend all. The one I liked least was Oklahoma, had some weird modernisations.
Booked Hamilton for our trip in September.
Nice !
I’ve already booked the mouse trap and lion king because of your recommendation 😂
We love to hear it! Have a great time
Ps you can’t go wrong with Phantom of the Opera….if you can Stall seats are good/best
so I'm in NJ, just outside NYC so all this theater talk in London very applicable or even the same (TKTS/Today Tix, non-profits, etc), but can you please do video on what the Panto season is?! It always baffles me as to what it even is!
From around November until the end of January is panto season. If you're not sure what panto is, basically it's musical comedy theatre, often based around your Brothers Grimm - type faiytales or such. I'm not sure what are the big panto productions in London, but more fun may be had at smaller regional theatres. I know Hackney Empire always has a panto.
Not sure we'd dedicate a whole video to it but we talk about it a couple times in our Christmas blog posts !
Panto is chalk and cheese - some love it, others hate it. Basically, it's a family musical comedy show based on fairytales like: Cinderella, Dick Whittington, Aladdin, etc. The closest film equivalent would be Shrek! HOWEVER, Pantos include many traditions such as a 'Dame' (usually an older male actor in drag - there is a historical reason for it!), the lead male part played by a woman, lots of innuendo jokes and slapstick comedy plus audience participation like everyone shouting: "He's behind you!" when the hero isn't aware of a 'baddy' on stage!
@love and London Oh yes you should
I love You and London so much Dear Jess.🥰😍🤗
We are headed to London with my nieces and have plans to see Matilda!
Nice ! Enjoy ❤️
Hey Jess! Can you please share a similar video regarding Premier League (football) tickets? I was in London 2 weeks ago and it was impossible to book any ticket for Arsenal or ManCity who were the top 2 teams playing that weekend in London (against Chelsea and Fulham respectively)
BTW I saw Frozen at the Royal Drury Lane and it was fantastic and very emotional. I saw the same play in 2018 on Broadway and I liked more the performance of the English artists than the American version. The English actor that played Olaf was outstanding
Hey Jess, I love your channel! I had the same question. The Premier League is getting popular in the States and I was wondering if there was any hope of getting tickets during my October visit for the London-based teams. Perhaps it can be combined with a video for Wimbledon tickets, London NFL games, etc. Thanks!
Booked tickets at the London Coliseum, but need recommendations for a restaurant nearby.
Our best reccs for central London are in our guides: shop.loveandlondon.com
This might be a silly question, so forgive me. As this will be our first London trip, and we actually WANT to see all of the touristy must-sees and must do’s, is the Love and London guide a good idea for us? I can see where some people might want to travel like a native, but I can see the pluses of the opposite. As a native NY-er, and a current CA local, I can tell you that when we DO live like a tourist in our own City (like when friends come to town) we see so many awesome things that we wouldn’t see “normally.” I hope that makes sense. Maybe if we’re lucky enough to go to London again, we’d skip all the touristy things, but on our first trip I want my kids to do all of it!
Yup have a look at our itineraries: shop.loveandlondon.com/en-us/collections/itineraries we'll make sure you can do both and make sure you eat well too and avoid tourist traps.
I have to make an specific question and I hope you don’t mind making ot through here, how should my wife and I dress to go a musical?
We are always running and arrive direct to the theater and probably the clothes are not appropiate…
(In NY we have arrived in tennis and jeans 20 minutes before tue play start literally running😮)
Some people dress up but you can wear whatever
Question. I watch your great videos and I found another you tube Taylor Fuller, also an American in London. She has no new videos for about 2-3 years & nothing new on her blog.
Does she not do videos anymore? Thanks!
Nope !
Interesting video. I like the Bridge Theatre and The Royal Albert Hall when in London. Or you can hop on a train or bus and visit regional theatre productions. The National Trust have open air productions in the summer, normally live theatre or a film screening. Somerset House was my favourite for outdoor cinema when they hosted channel 4 cinema events. Many museums in London have planned events over the summer that include walking tours. Enjoy London or escape and visit other parts, we also have great theatre. I recommend Stratford upon Avon, Liverpool and Birmingham.
Theaters also sell standing tickets
Wicked is good too
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Hi just curious, do the Mousetrap tickets tend to sell out or is that a show you can try to buy tickets to last minute? If so, where? Can we buy at the ticket booth you mentioned or have to go to the specific theater?
Depends when you're trying to get them for. If you're set on a certain show it's best to buy in advance
@@loveandlondon we have a Friday completely night free during our trip. I figured we’d go with the flow and see where we end up. We like mysteries so if we are in the area and try to get tickets would be nice to see the show, but wouldn’t be upset if it didn’t work out.
Any recommendations for where to eat when visiting palace theater
Lots of terrible places you'll need to avoid around there but we give londoner-approved recommendations in here: shop.loveandlondon.com/products/casual-tourist-guide-to-central-london
Hey Jess! The link for the free checklist doesn't seem to work, is it just me or am I too late??
loveandlondon.com/london-trip-checklist/ ❤️❤️❤️
we will be seeing Six in sept. 2023
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Wish I had watched your video (but i bought my tickets a few days before this came out..) and I realised the booking fee from Visit London website was much higher :( 20pounds higher for 3 pax.
Uh oh
Me and my family are thinking of going to London soon and we need a guide although my uncles are in London they can help but we know nothing about London but we know long Charles and Birmingham, lescter square and others but we still need a guide😊😊😊😊🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
Oh god please avoid Leicester Square haha. Grab one of Itineraries: shop.loveandlondon.com/collections/itineraries
Coming to London in June and want to see Cabaret and maybe Groundhog Day and if time permits the ABBA hologram experience....
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Hello! How can we get free tickets for kids in August? We are visiting London in the 3rd week of August, with 2 kids, 11 years old and 15 years old. We want to watch the Lion King at West End. Is it a good one? If not, Any other good recommendations? Thank you so much!
There's a link in the description to more info on kids week. I also mention some of my fave shows in the video 🙂
Will be in London in june. Wanted to see Harry potter but havent booked as 5 hours seems too long. Confused between lion king, moulin rouge and harry potter. Will be with wife and 16 yr old son. Pls help😊. Anything spectacular and gripping would do the trick for me
What did you choose to see? My girlfriend and I were in London in June and saw Moulin Rouge and it was awesome!
I have a 3 year old (will be almost 4) that loves shows & movies. Do the theaters allow for kids that young??!
Depends on the theatre, generally you would need to do a child-friendly show for that age
The Tina Turner show brilliant
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Namaste 🙏
Checklist link not working
loveandlondon.com/london-trip-checklist/ try that 👍
I think the mouse trap is not one of Agetha Christies best works, I prefere Witness for the Prosicution which is on at city hall or Then there were none which is touring so it might be coming to a theatre outsied Londo e.g Bromley, Richmont or Wimbledon.
I saw lion king , totally worth it
it's amazing isn't it
Would like to recommend new theatres Soho Place in Charing Cross Road and The Bridge Theatre opposite Tower Bridge. Both have great productions and the Bridge particularly does very immersive theatre. Also the Open Air Theatre in Regents Park. It's lovely in the summer to get a picnic and eat outside before the show.
I always aim for day seats at the box office when it opens, usually paying 20 or so pounds! Better prices for better seats than the Leicester Square tks. Last year I saw 15 plays in 14 days. I detest the Barbican! Navigating it is a nightmare and it is UGLY!
What is the name of the app?
TKTS or TodayTix
You forgot to menstion the vaults In Waterloo
Didn't forget, can't mention everyyyy single theatre :)
Are you watching the Coronation ?
The woman in black
Explain the seating . . . I was confused by the terminology “stalls”.
Stalls are the 'ground floor' seating on the same level as the stage. As opposed to the "circles" which are raised balcony areas overlooking the stage from further away behind the stalls.
Where should we go eat before a show? Any suggestions for a family of 4?
There are TONS of places you could go in central London, it's filled with so many great restaurants but also a lot of TERRIBLE and expensive ones. We have the best of the bests in our Casual Tourist Guide to Central London: shop.loveandlondon.com/products/casual-tourist-guide-to-central-london
You Know There Over Cities In The UK. Like Manchester & If you love the sun Brighton is good or you like peace there is WALES. Llanelli, 🦢 Swansea, Cardiff. & There is Scotland or Even North Ireland.
Really?! I had no ideaaaaaaaaaa
We are coming to London for the first time in July for BST and we are going to see Six the musical! I’m so excited.
It's so great!
Thank you for making this video