London Attractions - Theatre & Trips

London offers some of the world's best theatre and musicals.

National Theatre

Along with The Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-Upon-Avon, the National Theatre is one of the UK’s most prominent public-funded theatre companies. There are three theatres within the National Theatre: The Olivier, Lyttelton and Cottesloe. Each day up to three different shows are presented, a long with music in the main foyer prior to performances as well as free exhibitions. Also known as The Royal National Theatre, it has been located next to the Thames in the South bank area of London since 1976. The theatre presents a varied programme, which includes Shakespeare, other international classic drama and new plays by contemporary playwrights.

What’s On?
The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov
Rocket to the Moon by Clifford Odets.

West End Theatre

A popular term for the mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of ‘Theatreland’. The West End theatres are famous for staging very successful long-running productions of musicals including household names such as Cats, Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King, Les Miserables and We Will Rock You.

There are over forty theatre houses in the West End. Some of the larger venues include Apollo Victoria Theatre, Dominion Theatre, London Palladium, Lyceum Theatre and Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

What’s On?
The Lion King at Lyceum Theatre.
Betty Blue Eyes at Novello Theatre.
Billy Elliot, The Musical at Victoria Palace Theatre.
Legally Blonde, The Musical at Savoy Theatre.
Thriller – Live, at Lyric Theatre.

Shakespeare’s Globe

This theatre is the modern reconstruction of the Globe Theatre which was demolished in 1644. The theatre opened to the public in 1997 with a production of the famous Shakepeare play Henry V.

What’s On?
Anne Boleyn.
The Globe Mysteries.
The God of Soho.

The Royal Opera House

Located in Covent Garden, Central London, The Royal Opera House seats over 2000 in the audience. Productions of Opera are shown here, as the name of the building suggests, as well as ballet performances.

What’s On?
Swan Lake – Mariinsky Ballet.
Don Quixote – Mariinsky Ballet