Theater in London

[Jim_n_NYC]

Is there a good site that has a comprehensive list of what's playing or coming up in London theater?  We'll be there in early September and are thinking about seeing something while we are there.  Thanks.

[+ Lucky]

https://www.timeout.com/london/theatre

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Lucky hit it on the head and Playbill also has current listings.

https://playbill.com/productions?q=&venue-type=london

I'd also recommend downloading the app and getting familiar with TodayTix.  Great app for finding day-of or advance tix.  Easy to use.  Mostly mobile device delivery.  Some good deal pop-up and you can join various show daily seat lotteries through the app too.  Super intuitive interface.

https://www.todaytix.com/london/category/all-shows

[Jim_n_NYC]

Thanks. Playbill looks like the best as far as comprehensive lists goes.

[+ Lucky]

The Washington Post today has a great article on London shows. It's behind a paywall, but here are some excerpts:

Crowd control takes on a whole new meaning in the teeming New York conjured by director Nicholas Hytner’s gangbusters revival of “Guys and Dolls.” In the theater that Hytner co-founded on the banks of the Thames, audiences fill the space as if they’re milling excitedly around Times Square. The musical’s gamblers and chorus girls make their way through the throngs via moving, interlocking runways, infusing the 1950 show with the urban energy of 2023.

 

The production is immersive to the max; a team of scenery movers dressed as New York’s Finest parts the Bridge Theatre spectators — who can also be seated along the multitiered perimeter — for the timeless Frank Loesser numbers. Miss Adelaide (Marisha Wallace) and the Hot Box Girls shimmy through “A Bushel and a Peck” on one platform; Sarah Brown (Celinde Schoenmaker) and Sky Masterson (Andrew Richardson) rumba in “Havana” on another; and the full cast, which includes Daniel Mays’s irresistible Nathan Detroit, assembles on a third, for the socko second-act climax of “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat.”

Hytner’s production has a musical theater lover floating, too — on air. The freshness of approach is emblematic of what is happening to classic pieces these days on London stages, where dazzling revivals rethink locales as diverse as Euripides’s Greece and Tennessee Williams’s New Orleans. In the city’s newest West End theater, @sohoplace, Sophie Okonedo and Ben Daniels perform a “Medea” that bears down on you with the force of a bullet train. Just across Charing Cross Road, the Phoenix Theatre hosts a blistering “Streetcar Named Desire,” with Patsy Ferran as a deeply damaged Blanche and recent Oscar nominee Paul Mescal (“Aftersun”) as her feral adversary, Stanley.

And at the National Theatre, Janet McTeer recently ended a run in director-adapter Simon Stone’s heart-stopping, contemporary take on “Phaedra,” performed in a revolving box that puts sex and horror sensationally under glass.

Any of these — heck, all of these — deserve a life beyond the limits of their London runs. Not that a journey to the colonies is the be-all or end-all, but it sure would represent a satisfying distribution of theater riches.

Many of my encounters on a London trip this month were with great works reconsidered greatly. That attests to the pieces’ timeless strengths. But it also suggests that a vital reacquaintance is occurring with some of the sturdiest pillars of an art form that the pandemic denied to audiences for so long.

The only disappointing evening was a new play at the Harold Pinter Theatre: director Ivo van Hove’s English-language version of “A Little Life” (originally in Dutch), a nearly four-hour orgy of pain and suffering adapted from Hanya Yanagihara’s popular 2015 American novel. Contextualizing the ordeals of the main character (played with impressive energy by James Norton) is wholly admirable, but the extreme length and the repetitious plot work against the play’s sensitizing mission.

More: https://www.washingtonpost.com/theater-dance/2023/04/18/guys-dolls-london-streetcar-mcteer/

 

[MscleLovr]

Thanks for posting the above @Lucky I hadn’t seen the article.

Personally, I didn’t rate the production of “Medea” but we have tickets for “Streetcar” next week. Luckily we did not buy tickets for “A Little Life” - the run is now sold out - as the reviews have been scathing (eg “2* melodrama”) tho James Norton is praised for his stamina and bravery as he’s nude for many scenes. 

Of course, many of these plays won’t be running in September when the OP plans to visit. There’s a useful UK website www.atgtickets.com where I often purchase tickets. Also the National Theatre has its own website for both its upcoming plays and those that are or will be running in commercial venues www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

[Jim_n_NYC]

We're only going to be there for the weekend and only need to choose one play for Saturday, so the search isn't too complicated. We used to go to theater every time we went thru London but haven't in at least a decade...I think the last play we saw was "Noises Off."  Kinda sad that the restaurant we used to always go to closed, too...Red Fort.

[MscleLovr]

Just FYI @Jim_n_NYC that the show “Guys and Dolls” (well-reviewed and mentioned above by @Lucky) has had its run extended until February 2024.

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

I just bought my ticket today for Back to the Future the Musical in London's West End.  Dress circle, front row center.  I'll be in London for almost a week in August.  This is my only "must see" show, because I'm a Back to the Future fan and the show originated in London.  On my other days in London, I'll stop by Leicester Square to see what tickets are available for cheep on that day.

[+ Lucky]

On 4/19/2023 at 12:37 AM, MscleLovr said:

Thanks for posting the above @Lucky I hadn’t seen the article.

Personally, I didn’t rate the production of “Medea” but we have tickets for “Streetcar” next week. Luckily we did not buy tickets for “A Little Life” - the run is now sold out - as the reviews have been scathing (eg “2* melodrama”) tho James Norton is praised for his stamina and bravery as he’s nude for many scenes. 

Of course, many of these plays won’t be running in September when the OP plans to visit. There’s a useful UK website www.atgtickets.com where I often purchase tickets. Also the National Theatre has its own website for both its upcoming plays and those that are or will be running in commercial venues www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

How did you like Streetcar?

[+ nycman]

2 minutes ago, Lucky said:

How did you like Streetcar?

I know this question wasn’t directed at me…..but….

I thought Streetcar in London was amazing. I find that whenever Tennessee Williams is staged, there’s always the risk of the turning his Southern Gothic brilliance into parody. I was especially worried since this was a British production. I seriously doubted they would get the subtitles of Tennessee correct. I was wrong to have worried. I loved 98% of this production. Minor petty critiques, but overall it’s a wonderful production of an American Masterpiece. I could go on and on, but just go if you can. It’s pretty great. 

[MscleLovr]

@Lucky I agree with @nycman  

I rank it as highly as a previous production of Streetcar I saw in London - IIRC in 2014  - which had Gillian Anderson as Blanche. That was a stunning production with thrilling performances by the lead actors.

[handiacefailure]

Not west end theater, but if you are in London and an Abba fan, I'd really recommend seeing the Abba Voyager show.   I saw it last year and am going back to London in a couple weeks and planning on seeing it again.   I really like the dance booths.   It's a small sitting area with a dance floor for about twelve people

This is a good site for what's going on in London:

West End Favourites

WWW.LONDONBOXOFFICE.CO.UK

---

West End Shows - London Box Office

 

 

[MikeThomas]

So I’m in London in early October.  I’m seeing Coriolanus with  David Oyelowo.  Considering ABBA, but pretty sold out.  Good resale tickets are going for $285.  I don’t mind paying that if it’s worth it.  Any other recommendations?  Looking for new plays, not old shows that have been around for decades.  Thanks!

[+ Lucky]

On 5/15/2023 at 3:15 PM, Vegas_Millennial said:

I just bought my ticket today for Back to the Future the Musical in London's West End.  Dress circle, front row center.  I'll be in London for almost a week in August.  This is my only "must see" show, because I'm a Back to the Future fan and the show originated in London.  On my other days in London, I'll stop by Leicester Square to see what tickets are available for cheep on that day.

14 months later...did you see BTTF? What other shows did you see after going to Leicester Square? Just curious!

[+ Vegas_Millennial]

Just now, Lucky said:

14 months later...did you see BTTF? What other shows did you see after going to Leicester Square? Just curious!

I did see "Back to the Future" in London.  I had the perfect seat: Front row Center Balcony.  The first Act moved kind of slowly, but the second Act was stunning! (Similar to the pace of the movie, where the first half is just setting everything up, and the payoff comes near the end).

I will be seeing BTTF the musical again with a friend  when it tours Las Vegas in October.

I also saw "Crazy for You" in London with half price tickets from Leicester Square.  I had already seen a community theater production of it about 20 years ago, but this London version was spectacular!  I heard a few Irish/English accents slip in once or twice over the fake American accents, which was fun.

[Marc in Calif]

I have tickets for "Farm Hall" (matinee) and "Operation Mincemeat" (evening) on the same day in late August. Has anyone seen either production?

I'm still hoping to see more plays that week! I've never been to the Globe, where "The Comedy of Errors" (in the actual Globe Theatre) is the only production I'd like to see. Any suggestions on where to sit? I'd rather not stand. 😁

According to the Globe website, "The play contains themes of misogyny, racism and offensive language." Of which other Shakespeare play could this not be said? 

[+ nycman]

41 minutes ago, Marc in Calif said:

….Operation Mincemeat" (evening) on the same day in late August. Has anyone seen either production?

I saw Operation Mincemeat and I loved it. 

In fact, it’s one of those rare shows that I’d love to see again. I’m sure some of the British humor went over my head the first time. It’s funny and well done. Just enough off kilter to be brilliant. 

[handiacefailure]

I really want to get to London in November to see "Devil Wears Prada"   I missed it when it prebroadw'd a couple years ago in Chicago and on Broadway and loved the movie.   I see it is in in the west end satarting late October and Vanessa Williams is staring in it, I think she's a perfect fit for the part.  

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

18 hours ago, handiacefailure said:

I really want to get to London in November to see "Devil Wears Prada"   I missed it when it prebroadw'd a couple years ago in Chicago and on Broadway and loved the movie.   I see it is in in the west end satarting late October and Vanessa Williams is staring in it, I think she's a perfect fit for the part.  

Unless EJ does some serious work to the music, don't go in expecting a lot.  It didn't do well in Chicago for good reason.

I feel like the same fate is destined for 'Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil,' currently at the Goodman.

[handiacefailure]

3 hours ago, BenjaminNicholas said:

Unless EJ does some serious work to the music, don't go in expecting a lot.  It didn't do well in Chicago for good reason.

I feel like the same fate is destined for 'Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil,' currently at the Goodman.

I heard tickets sales are good for Midnight.   Was thinking of getting tickets for the Sunday matinee when I'm in chicago in a couple weeks for market days.

I went to Death Becomes her in Chicago a couple months ago and think that will have the same fate.   

[MikeThomas]

Has anyone seen the “Bounder and Cad” cabaret act?  I’m seeing them at Crazy Coqs in October.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

13 hours ago, handiacefailure said:

I heard tickets sales are good for Midnight.   Was thinking of getting tickets for the Sunday matinee when I'm in chicago in a couple weeks for market days.

I went to Death Becomes her in Chicago a couple months ago and think that will have the same fate.   

Midnight is selling well, but it's only an 850 seat space.  

The real trouble is that the reviews on the show have been weak.  I hope they can keep working it out.

Death has some pretty deep pockets behind it.  I think an October opening for the show will help it.  The cast will sell it.

As with any show, I never want to see performers and creatives out of work.

[handiacefailure]

6 hours ago, BenjaminNicholas said:

Midnight is selling well, but it's only an 850 seat space.  

The real trouble is that the reviews on the show have been weak.  I hope they can keep working it out.

Death has some pretty deep pockets behind it.  I think an October opening for the show will help it.  The cast will sell it.

As with any show, I never want to see performers and creatives out of work.

I really liked Death, better than the movie, but there were a lot of empty seats in the theater.   Hopefully it does well on broadway.   

[MtnVwGuy]

11 hours ago, BenjaminNicholas said:

Midnight is selling well, but it's only an 850 seat space.  

The real trouble is that the reviews on the show have been weak.  I hope they can keep working it out.

Death has some pretty deep pockets behind it.  I think an October opening for the show will help it.  The cast will sell it.

As with any show, I never want to see performers and creatives out of work.

Saw Midnight last week — it looks good visually, the music is OK, and J Harrison Ghee is a powerful performer, but it’s a tonal mishmash (with a silly feel-good final scene that seems to suggest that the moral of the story is Be Yourself And Let Your Freak Flag Fly!; a nice sentiment, but probably not the point of the original material).  Chris Jones gave a here-are-a-few-suggestions review in the Trib, which I hope will help.  Laurie Metcalf at Steppenwolf (one more week of performances) is absolutely worth seeing, btw.