Dubbed Theatreland, London’s West End is a veritable treasure trove of live performances and electrifying stage shows. Indeed, cited as the largest theatre district in the world, the London scene is bigger than Britain’s film industry and pulls in more crowds than New York’s Broadway! Boasting a long tradition of both established and new acts, there is definitely something to entertain even the most sceptical of theatre goers.
The first playhouse, which was built in 1576 and aptly named The Theatre, set the scene for what was to become a long and successful entertainment genre for England’s capital. And, with added investment over the years, the area now boasts over 25 theatres. Not only that, but 2008 saw a record 13 million people venture into Theatreland to watch the performances on offer.
In addition to the host of visitors drawn to the shows, many well known film stars, from both the UK and across the water, are also attracted to the West End. In fact, since its inception there have been a number of actors and actresses who have taken to the stage, including Dame Judi Dench, Nicole Kidman, Daniel Radcliff and Kevin Spacey.
Managing to superbly fuse the modern with the traditional, London theatre has a knack for knowing just which performances are right for the time: as a result, there is always an interesting mixture of old and new shows available.
For instance, the longest running West End show, Mousetrap by Agatha Christie, has been on the stage for 56 years, whilst the longest running musical, Les Misérables follows closely behind at 23 years. At the same time, there is always a selection of fresh and original performances presented, such as Billy Elliott and The Producers.
Consequently, with so much on offer, there are numerous opportunities to take advantage of the many London theatre breaks on offer. A quick search of the internet will yield an assortment of different deals and it is often possible to pick up a range of attractive offers, including hotel bookings and discount vouchers for the city’s other attractions.
Indeed, as well as being famous for its theatre, the English capital is also home to a wealth of other sights of interest and cultural treats. And, if you decide that the theatre is quite enough culture for one weekend, you can always embark on a shopping spree or relax in one of the many cafés or bars scattered around.
So, if you fancy treating yourself, a
theatre break in London's West End could be ideal for you. Not only are there a number of exciting performances to enjoy year round but an even greater number of attractions to see around the capital at any time of the year.
