Discovering London Theatre: Must-See Shows and Hidden Gems
Stepping outside Bertrand’s Townhouse, you feel the pulse of the city of London. After just 10 minutes walking to the West End, you will soon be tapping your feet. Earning its reputation as the cultural hub of London Theatre since the 1800s, the West End is home to around 40 theatres. We’ll tell you about some of the best shows to see this year, including hidden gems to pique your interest.
A Relaxing Hotel After The Bustle Of The West End
Based within a comfortable walking distance of just 10 minutes to the West End, Bertrand’s Townhouse is the perfect retreat. Slow down the rhythm to your natural pace. Bertie’s quarters give you somewhere to unwind with simple comforts: a king bed, cosy slippers and a cuppa.
If you want to bring the beat of the West End back with you, step inside Ottie’s Salon. Keep the conversation flowing deep into the night. Character and cocktails await.
Book your summer escape direct with Bertie for added simple luxuries, find out more.
Big Names, Bigger Productions
Whether it’s your first experience of London theatre or you’re a self-certified show-goer, it’s hard to ignore the all-time classics. Browse to find a show that suits your style.
Look through a window into Paris in 1899 with Moulin Rouge, showing at the Piccadilly Theatre. It’s a high-energy sing-a-long with romance at its core. Being set in Bertie and Ottie’s time, Moulin Rouge blends seamlessly with a stay at Bertrand’s Townhouse. If you want to go back further in history, Hamilton mixes it with a more modern hip-hop and R&B soundtrack. Its gripping story about the American Revolution of the 18th century can be absorbed at the Victoria Palace Theatre.
The longest-running show in the West End is Les Misérables, at Sondheim Theatre. Its powerful vocals and score have positioned it as quintessential for over 40 years. Continuing with musically famous West End shows, Mamma Mia! is at Novello Theatre, with a catalogue of hits from ABBA. Nothing comes close to the musical drama of The Phantom of the Opera at His Majesty’s Theatre. Composed by Andrew Lloyd-Webber, it’s the second-longest running West End production and recognisable even if you’ve never experienced stage shows. If comedy is more your thing, consider The Book of Mormon which was written by the creators of South Park. See it at Prince of Wales Theatre.
When taking in some of the best West End shows, you may see a star-studded cast. Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet has been performed before but this year features Sadie Sink, famous for her Stranger Things role. You can see it until later in June, so book fast. On the theme of Stranger Things, you can experience its stage show, The First Shadow, at Phoenix Theatre. It’s regarded as the best new play.
For something more lighthearted, Vanessa Williams stars in the stage production of The Devil Wears Prada at Dominion Theatre. It’s the perfect choice if you’ve already seen the sequel to the 20-year-old comedy-drama. You can often find shows inspired by films and it’s a great way to dip your toe into the London Theatre scene. Take the Beetlejuice musical at Prince Edward Theatre for example, it tells a story much like the original 80s film.
Of course, how can we leave out Cats? One of the most successful musicals of all time, it has a brand-new take on show at the Open Air Theatre. It might be a little further from the West End, in Regent’s Park, but is surely worth your while. It starts later into the summer from 25th July.
Lesser-known, Hidden London Theatre Gems
The loudest voices in the room aren’t always the best, it’s their words that matter. The same applies to the West End. We’ve picked out some shows that deserve your attention and could be the tonic you’re looking for.
My Neighbour Totoro is a fun and hearty production embracing the power of imagination. It’s based on the animated film with same name but you don’t need to have watched to enjoy this. Find it at the Gillian Lynne Theatre which is just 10 minutes on foot from Bertrand’s Townhouse. If you rather horror in your mix, Under The Shadow at Almeida Theatre is for you. It’s a stage adaption of the BAFTA-winning horror film, described as a ‘ghostly Iranian gem’.
The hidden gems might not have the spotlight as much as the big names, but this doesn’t mean they don’t have stars. Hollywood’s Keira Knightley is in The Lives Of Others, showing from October but tickets are available now. Keira Knightley is most well-known for her many roles in period dramas as well as blockbuster films. Luke Thompson stars alongside her in the show at Adelphi Theatre. Another production boasting a strong celebrity cast is Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? at Soho Place. The highly acclaimed Gillian Anderson stars with Billy Crudup in a dramatic story centred around toxic games and building to devastating truth-telling. Showings start in September.
Moving away to Wembley, Singer Alexandra Burke stars in a limited-time show: I’m Every Woman, The Chaka Khan Musical. It explains Chaka Khan’s story and explains the difficulties she faced on her journey to becoming one of the most influential voices in the music industry.
Getting Tickets To London Theatre
The easiest and most-efficient way to secure tickets is to book them online. If you want to ensure you have tickets for a specific show and date, then book as far in advance as you can. Make sure that you’re using a reliable and trusted website and take the time to research before you purchase. For full peace of mind, you can go direct to theatre and production official websites. Visit London offers discounts and it’s worth checking there before you book. Also, the TodayTix website and app is recommended by regular show-goers.
Of course, you can also amble down to the The Official London Theatre Ticket Booth in Leicester Square. Here you can find last-minute tickets perfect if you’re not sure which show to see. You can also get a physical ticket for the show you choose. Alternatively, the Official London Theatre website has a lot of last-minute show tickets too.
Drenched In History
The easiest and most-efficient way to secure tickets is to book them online. If you want to ensure you have
The city of London leaves lots of memories behind for you to feel its rich history and the West End is no exception. Take in the breathtaking architecture of the theatres and, as you step inside, marvel at their beautiful interiors. As you wander the streets and feel the pulsing culture, see if you can spot the Blue Plaques commemorating historic characters. You can even find some intertwined with the West End’s theatre industry.
Oscar Wilde needs no introduction. A plaque dedicated to the famous writer and playwright behind The Importance of Being Earnest is found at 34 Tite Street near the National Army Museum. Oscar-winning actress, Vivien Leigh, has a plaque at 54 Eaton Square. She is famous for her performances in Gone With The Wind and A Streetcar Named Desire.
Leave some time to visit a special plaque, just a short walk from Adelphi Theatre down to Adelphi Terrace. It commemorates the various actors, artists and famous people who lived there including David Garrick (actor and playwright), Richard D’oyly Carte (theatrical impresario) and George Bernard Shaw (playwright).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The cosy comfort of Bertrand’s Townhouse is just 10 minutes on foot away from the West End. For Theatres further away or simply to save the steps, you can use buses and the London Underground. The closest bus stops to the hotel are Bloomsbury Square and Bedford Place. The nearest London Underground stations are Holborn (Central and Piccadilly Lines) and Russell Square (Piccadilly Line). All stations are a short walk of 7 minutes or less.
When to book depends on what show you’d like to see. The limited-availability shows sell out fast. We would recommend booking as soon as you can to avoid disappointment.
Aside from websites, you could head to the The Official London Theatre Ticket Booth in Leicester Square. Here, you can see what last-minute tickets are available for the day’s shows and you can get a physical ticket too. A tasteful souvenir.
The West End is the cultural hotspot and filled with theatres but theres plenty of theatre to be discovered away from there. With Bertrand’s Townhouse being placed in Fitzrovia in Central London, you can get to anywhere you want in the city easily.
