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London’s best theatres are back!
London lives for its theatre. And thrives on it. London wouldn’t be London without its West End shows and cultural stage highlights. It packs over 40 historic venues into what has come to be known as Theatreland. Only New York’s Broadway has the equivalent reach and reputation.
And the heart of this compact jewel is pretty much contained within Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square and Tottenham Court Road.
Of course there are newer additions to the central London theatre scene (The Bridge Theatre near Tower Bridge, for instance) while to the West the Royal Court (Sloane Square) holds sway, along with the Apollo Victoria and the Victoria Palace.
Just across the Thames is the brave, brutalist National Theatre, which is not far from the historic Old Vic and its younger sister, the Young Vic: all of them a couple of minutes from Waterloo station.
That is one heck of a cultural statement. And our London theatres are looking good! Many of them with extended runs after the inconvenience of the pandemic.
Add to that the new immersive theatre scene with its unconventional locations, and you are spoiled for things to do in London.
Meantime, here are a few shows opening this April. If you’re really keen, check for previews, too. Some handy bars and restaurants listed at the end. Bon appetit!
The Corn is Green
Opens 14th April
Lyttelton Theatre, The National, South Bank.
Starring Nicola Walker (‘Unforgotten’) in Emlyn Williams’ play about an English school teacher who is sent off to ‘educate’ Welsh miners and is faced with an angry, resistant community.
Bonnie and Clyde
Opens 19th April
Arts Theatre, Great Newport St, WC2.
Small town couple meets the Great Depression in a head–on crash. From felon to folk hero.
Oklahoma!
Opens 26th April, Young Vic.
Even those of us who treasure the memory of Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart (‘My Funny Valentine,’ ‘Blue Moon,’) will admit that the pairing of Rogers and Hammerstein changed musical theatre. Their Oklahoma! is reborn in this new production.
Prima Facie
Opens 27th April, Harold Pinter Theatre, Panton St, SW1.
Jodie Comer (‘Killing Eve’) as Tessa, a brilliant young barrister who has worked her way up to the top, only to be dealt the cards that are stacked against her.
Jerusalem
28th April to 7th August 2022, Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue W1.
Return of a legendary production starring Mark Rylance and Mackenzie Crook. Jez Butterworth’s play is about Johnny “Rooster” Byron, living in a caravan in the woods, caught between eviction, alcohol and his son. Rylance won the Laurence Olivier Award for best actor when ‘Jerusalem’ first appeared. Described in 2019 as “the greatest British play of the century.” (Previews from 16th April)
Straight Line Crazy
Until 18th June 2022, The Bridge Theatre, Potters Fields Park, SE1.
Starring Ralph Fiennes and directed by Nicholas Hytner. New play by David Hare about Robert Moses, the man who shaped New York. Fiennes is always an extraordinary presence, and it’s an open question whether this character is a monster or a magus. Kubla Khan in Manhattan.
21 New Globe Walk, SE1.
Shakespeare’s plays as he would have known them: in the round, with lots of audience participation. Standing room with the groundlings is the most fun, and cheap! Also guided tours of this historic theatrical replica and family workshops.
Matilda the Musical
Cambridge Theatre, Earlham St, WC2.
The Royal Shakespeare Company’s award–winning musical adaptation remains true to Roald Dahl’s darkly humorous book. It has 50 major awards to its name, 12 for Best Musical.
Hamilton
Until 22nd October, Victoria Palace Theatre, Victoria St, SW1.
Story of the American Founding Father that time forgot – Alexander Hamilton. This is the US smash hit musical that restored a man of colour to his rightful place in history. Employs a variety of song styles, including power ballads, rap and hip hop.
Wicked
The Apollo Victoria Theatre, 17 Wilton Road, Pimlico, SW1.
Before Dorothy, there were the Witches of Oz. Wicked has now joined the ranks of London’s popular, long–running musical theatre shows, and this alt. version has proven not just spectacular, but spellbinding.
London Theatre Extended Runs
After all the pandemic shutdowns, many London Theatres have announced extended runs, some into the Autumn, and a few into early 2023. Shows given a new lease of life include:
Les Misérables, Mary Poppins, The Phantom of the Opera, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Life of Pi, and Choir of Man. Follow the link to find out more and get tickets.
Immerse Yourself
Doctor Who: Time Fracture
Until 16th April
UNIT HQ, 1-8 Davies Mews, Mayfair.
This BBC licensed immersive production has a ‘time’ bomb, aliens (of course) and three themed bars. Also pre–recorded Doctors… mostly Jodie Whittaker, so Whovians can make up their own minds about that one.
The Burnt City
Until 28th August 2022, One Cartridge Place, Woolwich, SE18.
The always impressive Punchdrunk Theatre has a new show for us. “Mega immersive” just about covers it. They have installed a sci-fi Fallen City of Troy and a desolate Victorious Greece in two buildings in Woolwich docklands. 60 rooms to wander through. Prescient, awesome theatre.
Until 30th October 2022, Mayfair.
The Guild of Misrule first adapted F Scott Fitzgerald’s forensic analysis of the rich and the damned in 2017, and turned it into the longest running immersive theatre show in London. One of the great stories.
Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of “The War of the Worlds”
Until 30th April 2022, Old Metal Exchange, Leadenhall Street, EC3.
A Martian invasion of Victorian London; analogue and AR (augmented reality); great set designs and set pieces (a boat ride through a distressed London). An immersive take on the prog rock album, it managed to actually scare some of the reviewers. Dystopia mon amour… Fenchurch St Station or Monument tube.
Eat, Drink, Play
Any visit to a London theatre is topped and tailed with pre– or post–show drinks, or a meal.
Skyline London
Opens 12th April, 100 Minories, EC3.
Rooftop restaurant and bar. Al fresco dining and drinking. If you’re heading for Ralph Fiennes and “Straight Line Crazy” at The Bridge Theatre, then the Skyline London (and Cento alla Torre restaurant) are handy for drinks, artisan homemade pasta, cicchetti menu, and cocktails – plus spectacular views of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. All within Tower Suites for those considering an overnight stay in its boutique apartments.
Butlers Wharf Chop House
Opens 16th April, Shad Thames, SE1.
Ground level views of Tower Bridge. British cuisine and chilled wine by the Thames.
Opens 12th April, 400 Oxford St, W1,
Breakfast, lunch and dinner; British and international menu; bright, gleaming, neo-deco interior in the heart of the West End, within Selfridges. Also 24ft tall Damien Hirst Pegasus Statue. Cool cocktails.
Ceviche Soho
Frith Street, W1.
From Peru: Michelin Guide listed cuisine, flavour–filled menu. Restaurant and cocktail bar inspired by Lima’s bohemian Barranco neighbourhood. Another venue embracing Theatreland.
Covent Garden and Selfridges.
Expert Taiwanese food, Xiao Long Bao dumplings, each one with exactly 18 folds, freshly made in full view. Like Brasserie of Light, it’s housed within Selfridges. Promise of “serving robots” too, as in its Melbourne branch. There’s a thing…
Heddon Yokocho
Heddon St, W1.
Retro ramen bar in the pedestrianised bit of Heddon St. Reimagining the yokocho alleys of Japan with J–pop, neon signs and lanterns: 1970s Tokyo lives.
50 Kalò di Ciro Salvo (Pizzeria)
Northumberland Avenue, WC2.
Ciro Salvo is a 3rd generation master pizza maker. His 50 Kalò in Naples is in Italy’s Michelin Guide, and his acclaimed pizza dough recipe has won plaudits and awards.
Tandoor Chop House
Adelaide St, WC2.
Just off the Strand is the wood panelled appeal of the Tandoor Chop House, a combination of North Indian communal eatery and British chop house. Indian spices and marinades, prime cuts of meat. Socialise and share plates.
Leadenhall Market
Opens 12th April, Gracechurch St, EC3.
If you are on your way to Jeff Wayne’s immersive War of the Worlds, then Leadenhall Market is nearby. Historic, pretty, photogenic, with shops, pubs, restaurants and cafes. Near Fenchurch St station.
Aster
150 Victoria St, SW1.
Modern French brasserie, so close to Victoria’s thriving theatres that Antonio, the manager of its first floor bar, has created a bespoke cocktail menu inspired by Hamilton, Wicked, and more. Bar open Thursday to Saturday. The Aster cafe and restaurant serves everything from brunch to a late night snack. Blue Orchid’s Wellington and Rochester Hotels on leafy Vincent Square are also very convenient for an overnight stay if you’re taking in Hamilton or Wicked.
Brigit’s Bakery London
While we are still in Victoria, here’s a culinary delight: afternoon tea on a bus from Brigit’s Bakery. Tours start from Victoria Coach Station with the Classic Afternoon Tea Bus Tour. An iconic red routemaster whisks you round Big Ben, St James’s Park, The Royal Albert Hall and Nelson’s Column while you sip tea and nibble sandwiches, cakes and pastries. Tours also from Trafalgar Square.
Official London Theatre TKTS
On the subject of theatre tickets: don’t forget the famous “on the day” ticket kiosk in Leicester Square. It’s run by the Society of London Theatres, the only not–for–profit ticket booth in the square. THE place for West End discount theatre tickets. Find it on the south side of Leicester Square. Online discounts also from this link.
West End Live, June 2022
And if you want a foretaste of theatrical West End gems, then book yourself in for the weekend of 25th to 26th June when Trafalgar Square hosts excerpts from leading musicals and new shows for FREE. It’s a sample of the range of talent on offer. There are newsletters on FaceBook, Instagram and Twitter. Follow the link below and stay in touch.
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