One of the greatest things about visiting London or moving there are the London musicals. In this city, there are ample opportunities to see some of the world’s newest musicals as well as old favorites and small hidden gems. Regardless of your budget or your interests, you will be able to find a musical that you can enjoy.
The most famous place to see musicals in London is the West End. This popular tourist area is lined with theatres and restaurants. If you visit the website for your favorite show, you can purchase full price tickets. This may be your best option if you wish to see a show that is newly debuting in London or a hit Broadway show that has just started its English tour.
However, if you are willing to see an older show, you may be able to get a cheaper ticket. Embedded between the restaurants and theatres, there are a number of small kiosks that advertise cheap theatre tickets. At these locations, you can buy tickets for most of the West End shows. Most of these tickets are discounted tickets for shows that are happening that night so you should be prepared to see a show shortly after purchasing your ticket. If you have a student ID card or a military ID card, you should be prepared to show it as many of the ticket vendors will be willing to give you an even deeper discount if you are a student or a serviceman or woman. If you want to complete a truly affordable night, you can dine at one of the nearby pizza vendors. These vendors sell hearty pieces of pizza for just a couple of pounds.
Not all London musicals are playing in the West End. This city is full of small theatres that put on all kinds of different shows. If you truly want to experience a part of the city that tourists often do not see, you should look for an independent theatre. To find out about these shows, you can peruse any of the local entertainment rags. These are typically offered for free by people standing in front of tube stations. In the back of these magazines, you will see detailed ads for the area’s clubs, pubs, and theatres.
When you start to look through one of these magazines, you will see what London has to offer besides the West End or the other major tourist areas. For instance, you may opt to see a contemporary or Victorian play at one of the refurbished Shakespearean theatres. You may find a university production of a popular classic playing at one of the university’s theatres. Or you may even find an experimental piece being put on in the small room above a pub on the outskirts of town. In a city this size, there is hardly anything that is not possible.
If you cannot afford to see a play, you can still enjoy yourself by watching some of the city’s best free productions. There are always buskers lining the south side of the Thames, singing in Covent Garden, or playing instruments in the busiest tube stations. These free options can be just as exciting as seeing London musicals in the West End.
