A Guide to London’s Theatres
If you’re a fan of the performing arts, ballet, or classical music then a trip to a London theatre is a must. Passionate and quality live performances are the order of the day! Check out our guide to London’s top theatres…
The National Theatre is located on the South Bank, just a few minutes from Covent Garden, the West End and Waterloo Station. There’s plenty of car parking available, £7 is the daily rate for parking here.
Public transport options include a bus service which stops at Waterloo Bridge, and the following buses will take you to Waterloo – 1, 4, 26, 59, 68, 76, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 243, 341, 521, X68. The closest tube station is Waterloo Station.
The National Theatre arena has a total of three theatres – the Olivier, Lyttelton and Cottesloe.
Renowned as London’s “Dance House”, the venue has a remit of bringing the top international and UK dance acts to music lovers. The theatre dates back to 1683, and the newly refurbished arena provides excellence in seating and acoustics.
Located in Islington, the venue has two theatres, Sadler’s Wells and the Lillian Baylis Studio. If you’re taking the bus, numbers 19, 38 and 341 travel from the West End to the theatre. Via Underground the Northern Line City Branch runs from Angel Station. You can also take the train to Kings Cross and Euston from here. Some of the top shows currently showing at the venue include “Opera North” and performances by Ivana Muller.
The Savoy Theatre dates back to 1881, and has been thrilling audience goers ever since. It’s located on the Strand, near Waterloo Bridge. Charing Cross/Embankment is the nearest underground station to the venue. The latest performance at the Savoy Theatre is Rodgers and Hammerstein’s celebrated musical “Carousel” which tells a gripping story about relationships.
The Victoria Palace Theatre is located at Victoria Street, close to St James Park and near Westminster. It’s also only about 100m from Victoria Underground Station. Bus numbers 8, 11, 211, 36, 24, 38, 73 and 511 service the venue.
The nearest tube station to Shaftesbury Theatre is Tottenham Court Road, Holborn, or Covent Garden, while Charing Cross is the closest train station.
The Roundhouse Theatre is a legendary cultural venue with a remarkable heritage, and has hosted some of the most eclectic live performers of the past 50 years.
Recent highlights include the annual BBC Electric Proms, Royal Shakespeare Company productions and Lucha Libre London. Rock legends Jimi Hendrix and the Doors (their only British performance), Paul McCartney and the Who have all performed at the venue.
The theatre is located on Chalk Farm Road, just 10 minutes from Camden Town tube station, or just a couple of minutes from Chalk Farm tube. If you’re getting the bus, the 31 and 168 stop at the Chalk Farm tube. The 24,27, 46 and 393 stop within walking distance.
The Tricycle Theatre has been opened since 1980, and even a fire in 1987 has not stopped its development as one of the best theatre venues in London. Notable theatre productions in the past include “The Great White Hope”, and Fats Waller’s esteemed musical “Aint Misbehaving”. Also housing a cinema, the theatre doubles up as a venue for art exhibitions.
It’s located at 269 Kilburn High Road in North London. The nearest tube station is Kilburn, on the Jubilee line. Upcoming theatre performances include a performance of “Damascus”.
St John’s Smith Square is located right in the heart of Westminster. It’s known for its wonderful English Baroque architecture and has attracted some of the best classical musical performances in the world. To get to the venue take the District, Circle and Jubilee lines to Westminster. You could also get off at St. James Park and Victoria stations. By bus: routes to the venue include the 3, 87 C10, 507 or the number 88 to Marsham Street.
No trip to London’s theatres should be without a visit to see some of the finest works by Shakespeare. Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is located on London’s cultural Bankside, about 10 minutes from the main tube stations of Mansion House and London Bridge, which are serviced by the Jubilee, District, Northern and Circle lines. Buses 11, 15, 17, 23, 26, 76 will bring you to Mansion House The 2009 Theatre Season kicks off on the 23rd April, the renowned playwrights birthday.
The Richmond Theatre is renowned as being one of London’s most prominent live venues. If you are travelling by train, the venue is 20 minutes from Waterloo Bridge, 15 minutes by the tube on the District Line from Hammersmith or Silverlink from North London.
If you’re driving take the A316 – there’s free parking on Richmond Green and the Old Deer Park after 6.30pm. Current shows running at the venue include the smash hit musical “Hairspray” and perennial favourites “7 Brides for 7 Brothers” and Puccini’s operatic masterpiece “Tosca”.
If you’re planning a trip to London and need a car, check out our London car rental page.
What’s your favourite London Theatre? As always we’d love to hear from you.