London Theatre: Guide to Long-Running Shows in London

If you enjoy theatre and theatre history, consider London as your next travel destination. At present, London has some long-running shows that are worth seeing. Although the city can be a bit pricey, keep in mind that most popular destinations in 

London are served by the Tube, so a car rental is unnecessary. The new Heathrow Express takes you from the airport to Central London, so you need not spend money on a taxi.

While London hotels can be expensive, keep in mind, you will be spending most of your time out on the town, so you don’t need a large, luxurious room. The Byron Hotel in Bayswater is close to the Tube and most of London’s attractions. Continental breakfast is included in the rates, which are less expensive by London standards. The Tube or local buses can take you to any of the London Theatres.

To see Mary Stuart at the Apollo Theatre, take the Tube to Piccadilly Circus. Peter Oswald’s adaptation of Friedrich Schiller’s play stars Janet McTeer as Mary Queen of Scots, and Harriet Walter as Elizabeth I. While the script is excellent, and the acting is, for the most post, quite good, there are a few minor problems. During the first act, there is not much movement on stage. Actors speak to each other while standing in a line. Cue pick ups were about half a second too late. Combine this with the fact that the Apollo keeps the theatre unusually warm, you may want to bring some coffee to your seat so that you can stay awake. However, the pace does pick up in the second act.

If you are used to theatre in the, there are a few things to remember about London Theatre. First of all, there are no free “playbills.” Programs can be purchased from the ushers. However, they are usually pretty elaborate, and make a good souvenir of your trip. Unlike US theaters, your food and drinks may be brought back to your seats. However, before the play begins, you need to order your drinks for intermission. They will be waiting at a specified table. The process is actually quite efficient, since you will not need to wait on long lines at the bar.