Theatre in London

If you fancy a trip to the theatre in London today you will be spoiled for choice. The very first theatre in London as we know it was built in Shoreditch in 1576 by the actor-manager James Burbage and was simply called the Theatre. William Shakespeare became a member of the resident troupe in the 1580’s and over the next few years further open air theatres were opened.

When the renewal of the lease of the Theatre became a problem the company decided to move the building, timber by timber, to a new site in Southwark where it was renamed the Globe. Opened in 1599, the original building was destroyed by fire in 1613 when a canon used during a performance of Henry VIII set light the thatched roof. All theatres were closed by order of Oliver Cromwell in 1642 but today, thanks to the tireless work of American actor and film-maker Sam Wanamaker you can now see performances of Shakespeare’s works at the authentic reconstruction of the theatre at Bankside.

Theatre in London today offers performances of classic works like ‘Waiting for Godot’ by Samuel Becket at the Theatre Royal or the more modern works of writers like Arthur Miller, Harold Pinter and Tom Stoppard. You might like to join the thousands of people who have seen Agatha Christie’s ‘The Mousetrap’ at St. Martin’s Theatre, currently the longest running show of any kind and now in its 58th year.

It was really the works of Andrew Lloyd Webber that led to the great increase in popularity of the musical and his latest project, opening February 2010 at London’s Adelphi Theatre, ‘Love Never Dies’ is the sequel to’ Phantom of the Opera’ and promises to be every bit as successful.

In addition to theatre in London, Opera and ballet enthusiasts are also catered for with performances at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, The Royal Albert Hall and The Coliseum, home to the English National Opera company whose productions are always sung in English, as well as Sadlers Wells the venue for dance in all forms from flamenco to contemporary.

Whether booking on or off line, if you can be flexible you will be more likely to find a cheap deal. You might want to take advantage of one of the theatre and meal packages, or make a weekend of it with a special weekend break. Whatever you choose, you will undoubtedly enjoy your trip to one of London’s many great theatres.