London for Theatre Lovers

Love theatre? Then London is the place to be. Here are seven of the city's most notable theatres.

The Palladium. Today, the theatre hosts large, crowd-pleasing musicals and brings in big stars. Alumni include Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Judy Garland.

The Old Vic. Its alumni include the great tragedian Edmund Kean, as well as Alec Guinness, Michael Redgrave, Judi Dench, and Laurence Olivier.

The Globe. Shakespeare's original Globe theatre no longer exists; however, the current Globe was built according to Elizabethan specifications, and watching a play there is the closest we can get to theatre as it was seen in Shakespeare's time.

Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. This theatre, located in Covent Garden, was originally one of the very few theatres in London to be granted monopoly rights to stage "legitimate"—meaning non-musical—theatre performances.

The Barbican. The Barbican Arts Centre is the largest performing arts venue in Europe. You can see theatrical performances, film screenings, musical and dance performances, and art exhibitions there.

The King's Head. The King's Head, located in Islington, is the earliest pub theatre in the U.K. The small area creates an intimate setting for audiences and actors alike.

The Players Theatre. For decades, the theatre was known for having the most original productions. It prides itself in being The World Famous Victorian Music Hall in London.

London has a long and illustrious history as a centre for theatre and the arts. If you're in town and you love theatre, consider giving one or more of these popular venues a visit.

About the author

Article by Janette Vince - director of ThanksDarling.com. For a selection of London theatre tickets and breaks visit http://www.thanksdarling.com/london-theatre-break.htm