London Theatre

London Theatre


London is famous for its varied and top quality entertainment, and the city’s wonderful theatres are among the best-loved in the world.

Theatre breaks provide an excellent way of absorbing this most treasured pastime. In the heart of London’s West End lies Theatreland, an area stretching from Piccadilly Circus to Covent Garden and taking in around 40 theatres.

Venture a little further out from this central area and you can find a further 18 theatres.

2008 saw the London theatre industry celebrate its centenary, having been established one hundred years ago by the Society of West End Theatre Managers (now renamed the Society of London Theatre, or SOLT).

Today, visitors to London can see shows in genres ranging from dance and musicals to opera and drama – with a healthy dose of mainstream entertainment thrown in.

Current productions include shows by comedians such as Eddie Izzard, Bill Bailey and Jimmy Carr, and old favourites such as Hansel & Gretel and Jack & The Beanstalk.

Shows for music fans include Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story, Jersey Boys, which charts the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and the smash hit, Mamma Mia – based on the hits of Swedish supergroup Abba. And of course there’s Thriller, an all-singing, all-dancing tribute to Michael Jackson’s legendary career.

Fans of more traditional musicals can choose from classics such as Carousel, Chicago, Grease, Hairspray, The Lion King, Les Misérables and the Dickens classic, Oliver!.

This list really just gives a taste of what’s on offer in London’s theatres.