Upcoming Trip in the fall

It's difficult to recommend if we don't know what you like - do you mostly see plays or musicals, or a mixture of both? Do you want to see the hot tickets or something more unusual or unlikely to transfer? Are you willing to go to fringe venues or are you just looking for West End? Would you like to see big names or is the show more important?

Also exact dates would be really helpful so we can check what will and won't be open!

I see a mix of plays and musicals don't care necessarily about "big names" or shows of the moment. I tend to avoid things I know are 100% transferring to NYC and would rather see a new/good production of something at fringe venues or places like the Menier, Southwark, St James, etc. I tend to be a person who sees "everything" here so I'll happily take all recommendations and do some research on the show myself to weed out the "not for Bret" shows.

I'm a HUGE Mel Brooks fan and was so disappointed by Young Frankenstein. I know it's being heavily retooled (supposedly, but knowing Mel it means he changes a song), but I'm not sure I want to waste a slot seeing something I didn't like the first time around.

I know there's buzz on Everybody's Talking about Jamie, but it's DNA doesn't sound like it's for me since I didn't like Kinky Boots and I have a low tolerance on "teens talkin' bout problems" shows. Is it worth seeing anyway?

It's more teens defying problems and being a bit cheeky about it. 

But if youre drag or teen-averse I'd avoid it! 

Thanks for killing my Fronken-shteen expectations, I've already booked! 

In terms of musicals, 42nd Street has had near-universal raves and is an evening of pure joyous escapism in my opinion. I assume you probably won't be here until after Half a Sixpence closes otherwise I'd list that too. Dreamgirls will almost definitely transfer so you can ignore that.

Thanks for the recommendations! I'll do some research on these!

I saw Half a Sixpense in January. It was cute and I had fun despite how silly and thin the book was. I also saw Dreamgirls and wasn't blown away since it was the original staging and most of the leads were dull (I liked Amber). 42nd St is on my list! It's a silly show, but it looks like it's on a scale big enough to make it interesting.

Young Frankenstein wasn't by any means the worst thing I've ever seen and I actually really liked parts, but it was mostly overblown with production numbers thrown in for no reason and allegedly that's what Stroman and Brooks want to correct so my hopes are actually secretly up but I'm trying to do the opposite and not plan on it. Hopefully buzz is great and I end up seeing it. It's seriously my favorite movie.

I try not to book too much in advance and rely mostly on day seats since my body clock is off and I wake up at 6am anyway I don't mind getting to theatres early to wait. 

I hear from others on here the Everyone's Talking About Jamie is excellent, very British and unlikely to transfer to New York.

Young Frankenstein is much better than New York.

Big Fish at the Other Palace, Victoria and Barnum at the Menier Chocolate Factory may float your boat.

If you like The Play That Goes Wrong, you might like A Comedy About A Bank Robbery.

Ferryman is excellent at the Gielgud, but very likely to transfer though

Unknown quality at the moment is Glengarry Glen Ross with Christian Bale.

Albion at the Almedia is meant to be good, but maybe sold out already, Ink at the Duke of York is brilliant.

The RSC's Shakespeare season at the Barbican, high production values and if you have extra time a trip up to Stratford Upon Avon is always excellent

Young Marx which is in the new Bridge Theatre and is run by National Theatre's Artistic Director d takes yup into a part of London, that you might not get to and is right next to Tower Bridge and opposite Tower of London, the show is very tepid though.

Skip Heisenberg and Venus

Quality wise this winter seems very dissapointing.

Glad you saw Half A Sixpence, very quintessential British, always good to see one show like that.

How many theatre slots do you have and are you on a budget? I will be in New York/Los Angeles/San Francisco in December.

Whoops.

Thanks!

May I ask if you both hated Venus as a play or this production. I saw the original 4 times and was obsessed with everything Nina Arianda did.

I have seven slots (six if there's not a Friday matinee of anything, those are rare I know) and my only budget is day seat prices preferably. I don't have a fortune, but I'm there to see theatre and that's where my money goes instead of shopping or fancy restaurants.

I looked into Barnum but the only show while I'm there is Sat night and it's sold out/first preview. I STRONGLY disliked Big Fish in NYC, but I mostly hated the way it was directed and the overblown production. I'll keep it on my options list, though!

Ink was on my list as was Ferryman.

I do have a weird record of seeing things that end up transferring, but then I get to sound uber fancy and say "oh I saw that in London, it's good!"

Thanks again for taking the time to suggest things.

I haven't seen Frank here, but I'd still say it's a good bet (I was a bit 'meh' about the NY production but like the look of this one)

Ink and/or Labour of Love are great bits of new British writing in the West End (from what I hear)I personally loved Heisenberg and as you have a lot of 'slots' it's a short and likely cheap one that's worth seeing.

A vote for Young Marx at the Bridge- not only is it a chance to see the shiny new theatre, and Rory Kinnear (both worth a £15 ticket) but also it's a decent play with a great cast.

In the interests of balance I haven't hated anything as much as I hated The Ferryman in years, and it's a long old night if you do. I'm in a small (and generally scared to speak out) minority there but y'know since you asked!

Sorry with my late recommendation... The Ferryman. Outstanding IMO.

(By the way, I like what you did there... a Trip in the Fall...!!!  )

Is Long Day's Journey still playing when you are over? Ok I thought Jeremy Irons was better than most but Lesley Manville is wonderful.

Ok, Everyone. I have two slots left on my trip next week and I've narrowed it down to the following. I'd appreciate any "feel free to skip" advice.

I'm definitely seeing Follies and Barnum (tickets already purchased) and am now planning on day seat-ing Ink and Everybody's Talking About Jamie. The others I'm considering are-

Young Frankenstein
42nd Street
Lady From the Sea
The Ferryman
Labour of Love
A Woman of No Importance

Let me know any strong reactions. I'm leaning towards Ferryman and Young Frankenstein, but can be talked into something else.

Young Frankenstein and 42nd Street are my recommendations. For a long time I avoided booking 42nd Street as dance shows aren’t typically my preference, but after strong recommendations and word of mouth I saw it and was not disappointed! One of my stand-out shows of the year!