London Events
Theatres
There are some 50 West End theatres that stage a crop of plays every summer - there's a lot more here than just Billy Elliot, Les Miserables or Phantom of the Opera. If that's isn't enough, at any time of the year London's many fringe theatres offer a selection of productions. With tickets so plentiful and reasonably priced, it would be a shame not to take in at least 1 or 2 of the best productions.
Lyceum Theatre
In 1871 the actor Henry Irving first became associated with the Lyceum Theatre when he wowed audiences in The Bells. This was followed up over the following years with anumber of other performances culminating in Henry Irving's performance in the title role of Shakespeare's Hamet in 1874, establishing him as the leading actor of his day.
Dominion Theatre
The Dominion Theatre is a West End theatre situated on Tottenham Court Road close to Centre Point Tower, in the London Borough of Camden. The building was built in 1928-29 and became a cinema in 1930. It is no longer used for film premières, and now mainly hosts live stage shows and concerts. It has a seating capacity of 2,182 in two tiers of galleries (the top tier is currently not used). The theatre retains its 1920s light fittings.
Queen's Theatre
Queen's Theatre is a West End theatre located in Shaftesbury Avenue in the City of Westminster. It opened on 8 October 1907 with a comedy called The Sugar Bowl by Madeleine Lucette Ryley. It was designed by W.G.R. Sprague as a twin to the neighbouring Gielgud Theatre and has a modern shell but an Edwardian interior following a hit on the facade by a German bomb in September 1940.
Apollo Victoria Theatre
Apollo Victoria Theatre is a West End theatre on Wilton Road near Victoria station in the City of Westminster. The building was designed as the New Victoria "super-cinema" by E. Warmsley Lewis and W E Trent in 1929 in striking art deco style. Apollo Victoria Theatre is the largest West-End Theatre, its capacity is 2,305 including standing spaces.
Victoria Palace Theatre
The Victoria Palace Theatre is a West End theatre in Victoria Street, in the City of Westminster. Situated opposite Victoria Station, it was designed by the prolific theatre architect Frank Matcham and opened in 1911 on the site of a former music hall. The domed auditorium seats 1,550 people. A sliding roof helps ventilate the auditorium during the intervals, which was a novelty feature in the days of heavy smoking during performances.
Old Vic Theatre
The theatre was a "minor" theatre and was thus technically forbidden to show serious drama. Nevertheless, when the theatre passed to William Bolwell Davidge in 1824 he succeeded in bringing legendary actor Edmund Kean south of the river to play six Shakespeare plays in six nights. The theatre's role in bringing high art to the masses was confirmed when Kean addressed the audience during his curtain call saying "I have never acted to such a set of ignorant, unmitigated brutes as I see before me."
West End Theatre
West End is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre in London, England, or sometimes more specifically for shows staged in the large theatres of London's "Theatreland". Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking world. Seeing a West End show is a common tourist activity in London.
Royal Albert Hall
This splendid looking Victorian concert hall hosts all kinds of performances, including classical music. This summer, from 15 July - 10 September, is hosting the Proms - one of the world's biggest and most democratic classical music festivals.