LONDON’S WEST END: FIVE MUST-SEE SHOWS TO BOOK THIS SEASON THAT WON’T BREAK THE BANK
From Harry Potter to Moulin Rouge!, there are plenty of ways to experience London’s West End without paying top ticket prices.
Photo Credit: Moulin Rouge! The Musical, The Culture Digest
London’s West End is home to some of the world’s most spectacular theatre productions, but seeing a show doesn’t always have to come with a premium price tag. With a little forward planning, theatre lovers can secure tickets to some of the capital’s biggest productions for considerably less than the headline prices.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical, based on Baz Luhrmann’s iconic film. A production that brings the legendary Parisian nightclub to life at the Piccadilly Theatre. Set against the bohemian world of Montmartre, the story follows writer Christian and performer Satine as they embark on a passionate and ultimately tragic love story. Packed with lavish costumes, spectacular scenery and a soundtrack of much-loved songs, Moulin Rouge! is an extravagant celebration of music, love and theatre. For audiences looking for a glamorous night out in London, few productions deliver quite as much spectacle.
Photo Credit: Jesus Christ Superstar, The Culture Digest
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s iconic Jesus Christ Superstar returned to London this autumn, and brought the celebrated rock score and powerful story to Theatre Royal Drury Lane.Telling the story of the final days of Jesus through the perspective of Judas, the production explores themes of faith, fame, friendship, power and betrayal. Combining the original score with a bold contemporary production, the show features some of musical theatre’s most recognisable songs, including Gethsemane, I Don’t Know How to Love Him and Superstar.
With an acclaimed cast and the energy of a rock concert, Jesus Christ Superstar offers a fresh and spectacular take on one of musical theatre’s most enduring productions.
Photo Credit: Harry Potter And The Cursed Child, The Culture Digest
The magic of the wizarding world continues on London’s West End stage with Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre. Set 19 years after the events of the original Harry Potter story, the production follows Harry Potter as an adult, now working at the Ministry of Magic, alongside his youngest son Albus as he begins his own journey at Hogwarts.
Combining extraordinary stagecraft, illusion and a story that expands the Harry Potter universe, The Cursed Child has become one of London’s most celebrated theatrical productions. With a new reimagined production arriving this autumn, there is even more reason for audiences to return to the Palace Theatre and experience the magic for themselves.
Photo Credit: Stranger Things The First Shadow, The Culture Digest
Fans of Netflix’s Stranger Things can step into the supernatural world of Hawkins with Stranger Things: The First Shadow at the Phoenix Theatre. Set before the events of the hit television series, the production takes audiences back to Hawkins in 1959, where the origins of some of the show's darkest mysteries begin to emerge. Bringing the world of Stranger Things to the stage, the production combines live performance with extraordinary special effects, lighting and stage technology.
Whether you are already a fan of the Netflix phenomenon or simply looking for something atmospheric and different, The First Shadow offers a theatrical experience unlike anything else currently on the West End.
Photo Credit, SIX, V&A
History gets a pop makeover in SIX, the award-winning musical that puts Henry VIII’s six wives firmly in the spotlight. Rather than remaining footnotes in Tudor history, Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard and Catherine Parr take to the stage as six pop stars, each competing to tell their story and decide who had the most difficult experience with England’s most notorious king. Packed with humour, powerful vocals, energetic choreography and an infectious soundtrack, SIX has become an international theatrical sensation. At the Vaudeville Theatre, the production continues to offer one of the West End’s most entertaining and contemporary takes on history.
Popular West End shows like these will see out quickly, particularly at weekends, but booking as soon as tickets are released gives audiences the widest choice of dates, seats and price points. Rather than waiting until the last minute, planning a theatre trip several weeks or even months ahead can make a significant difference.
For spontaneous theatre-goers, day seats, rush tickets and other limited ticket offers can provide another opportunity to see popular productions at reduced prices. Availability varies between shows, so it is worth checking the official theatre or production website for the latest options. With so much choice, seeing a West End show can be made far more affordable simply by booking ahead, choosing less popular performance times and looking beyond the most expensive seats.
For anyone planning a London day out or evening in the capital, the West End remains one of the city's great cultural experiences and with the right approach, it doesn't have to cost a fortune.
Tickets for many West End shows can be purchased on London Theatre Direct, click here