Newsies, Wembly, travel? and take in another show?

Or Frozen is also good for a spectacle, actually, as I think has already been mentioned. Costumes are gorgeous, too. The theatre is one the grandest we have, especially after the refurb, so might be nice to visit for a special trip [and the afternoon tea is lovely!]

Well, you're not a 15 year old, are you? Back to the Future has a teenage hero (even if Marty is played by guys in their 20s) and the story is very appealing to teenagers, plus, as people say, it's spectacle.

CFA is populated by adults and has zero spectacle. Given that it's already announced a tour, it's a safe bet that it will turn up in Dublin sooner or later, so the OP can likely catch it at home then. BTTF won't tour and even if it did, I'm sure it would be a downscaled version.

Hamilton, if she's seen the televised version, I don't think is a necessity and will also indubitably go on tour sooner or later.

That said... BTTF is on virtually every streaming portal (I think), so why not watch the movie and see if it makes you go "ooh, I want to see how they do that on stage?" and THEN decide? You may be able to enjoy it without having seen the movie, but I think it will add another layer of fun to it.

If not BTTF then Wicked and Frozen are certainly the shows to look for that deliver both spectacle and stories that are appealing to female teenagers.

Teenager strands in a foreign world (the past), where another socially awkward teenager is being bullied by a group of jerks and too shy to talk to the girl of his dreams, who develops an unfortunate and impossible crush on the newcomer. The newcomer has to fix things and somehow get home to his own world, supported by a crazy old uncle type.

It's pretty timeless and I don't think the 80's setting feels that alien to teenagers, even if no one is permanently glued to their smartphones. Marty's electric guitar, the DeLorean, even the funny moment in the school fight when Marty suddenly produces a "lightsaber" are still as relevant today as they were then. Even 80s fashion is currently pretty trendy again.

Heathers is more popular with female teenagers, because it taps into a very specific teenage girl world, where the scorned but tough outsider (Veronica) gets one over the popular Queen Bees (the Heathers) and still gets (and finally rejects) the mysterious hot guy. As a teen girl I'd also be all over this - more so than BTTF, yes, but Heathers is not a show currently on offer (or spectacle).

PS: I'm not trying to start an argument, just giving my opinion. Maybe the OP can get something out of it and if not, well it made for a few good minutes of work procrastination.

There's the Theatre Cafe? And newly opened Theatre Diner. Can imagine they would both go down very well with a teenage girl who likes musicals.


thetheatrecafe.co.uk/

Theatre Royal Drury Lane does a great backstage tour and I am sure there will be lovely things to see around Covent Garden Piazza.
Also several ice skating rinks set up including Somerset House which is central for the West End.

Heathers current run continues until February.

Christmas in London is such a magical time, especially after dark. It's worth scheduling time to just do nothing.

There's this thread from several years ago that may cover 'touristy' things we've missed:

theatreboard.co.uk/thread/3846/first-london-theatre-trip

1. I'd recommend downloading the Tube Map app, or similar, so you get a better sense of direction and which stations are on which line.



2. Gatwick Express runs between Gatwick and Victoria station. The station is within very short walking distance of Victoria Palace (Hamilton), Apollo Victoria (Wicked), and The Other Palace (Heathers). But the Tube should get you from Wembley to other theatres in relatively short time.



3. V&A museum are running a free exhibition, if that's your thing: Re:Imagining Musicals

I used to live in Wembley - for 30+ years, so you're talking to a local here ...

Gatwick to Wembley is an easy journey (probably easier than Heathrow in truth). Gatwick onto Thameslink train into London (any destination). Get off at Farringdon Station and walk up the stairs and cross over to the Metropolitan tube platform heading North. It's that easy. Any northbound train will stop at Wembley Park - there are destination boards up and down the platforms. The benefit of the Thameslink is you get that amazing view as you go over London Blackfriars ....

From Heathrow you'd probably get a tube into London and have to change at Green Park which is hellish with luggage.

Hotels at Wembley Park - the Wembley International Hotel is probably 3*, basic but clean and I've found it much cheaper than the Premier Inn or Travelodge. The Designer Outlet, as others have said, has a variety of chain restaurants.

Enjoy your trip!

Londonmzfitz, thanks for the simply easy to follow guide re Gatwick to Wembley, very keen with daughter in hand, budget and timescale to keep it running smooth as possible - particulary as time going all these strikes are looming but i think will miss thankfully.

I will be checking - but will also ask here, never been to Gatwick, easy enough to find the Thameslink ( thats definately the one to go for..no matter how busy? ), pay upfront ( cash on train / better get a card..as coming back to gatwick later in week? ), and then easy to walk to Metro tube North - spelled out for you? im a simple folk! - and again pay for that tube? do i have to exit and enter to pay..or..just pay when i get off a Wemberly..how will it know i crossed over at Farringdon?

Too late re hotel, already booked, wasnt too bad. Its the flights for us that was bad really.

garjobo I have moved this post from the Frozen thread to here. Please use this thread for further advice/opinions from members about any show rather than posting requests for advice in multiple different show threads. Cheers! 

You’ll probably find cheaper tickets for Wicked than Frozen. I’ve been to Wicked twice this year (many more times over the years!) and from a lot of other reports, my impression is that the current production is a bit patchy in terms of quality. I’m also not a fan of the theatre itself, although if you are further forward it is a much better view, I wouldn’t even bother going if the only seats you could get were say in the back 2/3rds of either stalls or circle. If the Wicked tour is coming near you in the next few years, I’d say see that instead. It can’t be worse than the Apollo currently is.

I love Frozen and it is fabulous for spectacle, but it is expensive unless you can get tickets during a sale or offer period. And I think it will be around for a looooong time so you’ll probably get another chance.

Not a Hamilton fan at all, just don’t like the style of the music, so won’t comment on that.

Back To The Future is great spectacle, especially if you can be mid stalls or front of the dress circle. Upper circle was a poor view IMHO. It won’t be around forever. Also don’t think this has been suggested for spectacle - but Mary Poppins. A lot of impressive stagey stuff at Mary Poppins, and the nostalgia factor is high as most of us whatever age know the film right? I’d definitely recommend Mary Poppins as worth a visit for anyone, unless they know they hate the film! And it’s closing soon.

So yeah, Wicked vs Frozen, I vote Mary Poppins 😂