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The West End in London is the theatre capital of the world. Dozens of theatres with thousands of seats where you can sit and watch musicals like Mary Poppins and The Lion King, thrillers like The Mousetrap and The Woman in Black and of course there is usually somewherethe drama of Shakespeare. Here are some productions you really should consider or avoid when in London.
Mary
Poppins
Prince Edward Theatre
A most delightful production with all the fragalistic
songs from the film. A little bit darker than expected but perhaps
the better for it. Certainly a highlight of the West End.
The Phantom of the Opera
Her Majesty's Theatre
The best of the long running musicals. No weak political statements, no dated music and its own original music rather than a hotch potch of a dead band's hits. Quite simply superb fun, great tunes, wonderfully staged and mesmerising.
The Woman in Black
Fortune Theatre
This long running 2 man show has great atmosphere and is likely to make you jump once of twice. It may be nothing revolutionary but it is fantastic entertainment.
The Mousetrap
St Martin's Theatre
The longest running play in the West End, perhaps the world, having begun in 1958. This production is much derided by the snooty critics and self conscious trendy sorts but I thought it was great. You get what you pay for, an Agatha Christie murder mystery. Well staged, keeps you guessing and well worth seeing. Top hole entertainment.
Blood Brothers
Phoenix Theatre
This long running and popular play is dated to my ears, and the plot seemed extremely naive. Nevertheless, not bad entertainment if you can find cheap tickets.
Wicked
Apollo Victoria Theatre
I am not sure about this one. After a worrying start the first half is actually very good, but the second stumbles down in to forcibly tieing up ends and is frankly naff. It is a huge and expensive production but I am not sure where all the money went. It has some good tunes, but not one I left humming. And what is the dragon above the stage for?
The Lion King
Lyceum Theatre
I can not personally vouch for this but it is doubtless a good nights entertainment packed with songs, humour and animal constumes.
Shakespeare
Shakespeare's Globe
See theatre as it used to be, standing up for hours in the cold and rain. This is as much about the atmosphere as the performance, not to imply the performances are less that superb in this authentic recreation of Shakespeare's theatrical home.