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Post by jacobrivsan on Jan 29, 2019 0:31:08 GMT
I will be traveling to London in March to see some shows and sightsee. I've never been overseas before and am not versed in what all there is to offer there that I should take advantage of. I'm doing my own research, too, but wanted to ask, for those of you folks in the group who have made the journey across the pond or already live there, what recommendations you had for anything theatre-specific I should look into. For example, I may want to tour the National and Shakespeare's Globe, visit The Theatre Cafe, see if there are any costuming or stagecraft exhibitions or tours, etc. (Even if there's anything cinema-related!)
I have already booked tickets to see Company, All About Eve, and Follies. I saw there's a 90-minute R+J that will be playing at the Globe, and a few other things, but these are the big three I wanted to make sure I had tickets to because they're the reason I'm headed there. I also booked the Harry Potter studio tour.
Unfortunately, Caroline or Change is closing on March 2, a week before my scheduled ticket. I am looking at maybe seeing these instead: 9 to 5 (I saw the USA national tour and it started in London tonight), The Twilight Zone, Violet (saw the Broadway production), Downstate, Six, or *maybe* Emilia, the latter 3 which I know nothing about.
Thanks in advance and any recs of any kind are greatly appreciated: food, sights, experiences, etc. Show recommendations are welcome, also, but I kind of splurged on the ones I already have tickets to, but will consider cheap ticket options, TodayTix, lotto, and other options.
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Post by lynette on Jan 29, 2019 0:40:53 GMT
Sounds like a good trip. I think people here have advised others on basic stuff, like the need to get a travel card and budget for food etc. So look round the Board or someone.....might post a good link.
My personal rec would be Six, strangely , considering the subject matter, life affirming.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2019 0:49:14 GMT
Aaahhh... I remember my first theatre trip to London. I had no idea what I was getting into lol. Now I couldn't live in a world without London.
I highly recommend the Royal Albert Hall tour. Maybe a visit to the theatre section in the V&A?
Apart from theatre, what else do you like? Are you a museums person?
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Post by jacobrivsan on Jan 29, 2019 0:50:43 GMT
Aaahhh... I remember my first theatre trip to London. I had no idea what I was getting into lol. Now I couldn't live in a world without London. I highly recommend the Royal Albert Hall tour. Maybe a visit to the theatre section in the V&A? Apart from theatre, what else do you like? Are you a museums person? Somewhat, yes. I've heard about the theatre exhibit in the V&A; I had not known about that until someone else mentioned it. |
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Post by jacobrivsan on Jan 29, 2019 0:51:14 GMT
Sounds like a good trip. I think people here have advised others on basic stuff, like the need to get a travel card and budget for food etc. So look round the Board or someone.....might post a good link. My personal rec would be Six, strangely , considering the subject matter, life affirming. Would you recommend listening to the music first if I were to see Six? |
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Post by lynette on Jan 29, 2019 0:52:57 GMT
As with Hamilton, it helps cos of the words especially if you are not familiar with the history.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2019 2:16:28 GMT
Regarding sightseeing, do you want to do the typical touristy things since this is your first time, or do you want to avoid that?
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Post by songbird on Jan 29, 2019 2:17:26 GMT
Make sure to check out the amazing food! London honestly has every possible cuisine and every possible dish. Go check out the food markets like Borough Market.
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Post by songbird on Jan 29, 2019 2:18:24 GMT
Also maybe do the National Theatre tour before you see Follies, will make you appreciate the theatre a lot more!
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Post by jacobrivsan on Jan 29, 2019 2:48:28 GMT
Regarding sightseeing, do you want to do the typical touristy things since this is your first time, or do you want to avoid that? I don’t mind that at all. I’m staying in Waterloo. My only fear or trepidation, I guess, is the transportation. Especially when I’m trying to get from there to where the studio tour will be. |
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Post by jacobrivsan on Jan 29, 2019 2:49:06 GMT
Also maybe do the National Theatre tour before you see Follies, will make you appreciate the theatre a lot more! I have definitely thought about doing it all in that day. Follies is my favorite show so I think that would make it extra special. |
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Post by Backdrifter on Jan 29, 2019 8:48:29 GMT
Regarding sightseeing, do you want to do the typical touristy things since this is your first time, or do you want to avoid that? I don’t mind that at all. I’m staying in Waterloo. My only fear or trepidation, I guess, is the transportation. Especially when I’m trying to get from there to where the studio tour will be. I'm not sure you'll need to worry much about transport, being based at Waterloo. If you don't mind walking, pound a bit of shoe leather. You'll be ideally located for the NT and Globe for a start, and for an exploration of the South Bank in general. You can stroll over Waterloo Bridge and pause to take in the views looking across to the north bank. A decent map will then direct you to the relevant bits of the West End for those other productions you mentioned. They're all close by so don't get tricked into thinking you've got to descend into the Tube or get on a bus. Whatever else you might be considering doing, obviously it's up to you but I'd avoid the big touristy stuff. I always advise against e.g. Tussauds. The Globe is fine and seems a logical enough stop-off for a theatre-loving visitor but personally I prefer the much smaller-scale, lower-key Rose Bankside nearby, which is the actual site of the Rose Theatre. It's in the lower floor of an office block and has a viewing platform overlooking the preserved foundations of the theatre. I find it very atmospheric, and they also have productions staged on the small platform. Near there is a very understated and seemingly little-visited site marking part of the original site of the Globe. It's just an information board next to the pavement, overlooking a site marking out part of the outline of the theatre. Use your Waterloo base to explore Southwark which still has some of the feel of grit and grime of centuries past about it. Try stopping off at the Flat Iron Square food stalls. Relatively cheap drinks and cocktails to be had at the delightfully scuzzy Scooter Caffe on Lower Marsh, where you might be greeted by Bob the resident cat. If she favours you with her attention you are truly privileged. While in there, you are in fact very close to the geographical centre of London (ignore any nonsense you might read about it being Trafalgar Square or Charing Cross). Around the corner in one direction is an excellent and reasonably priced Thai restaurant above the Crown & Cushion pub, and in the other direction the Vault Festival will be in full swing until mid-March in the underground spaces down gloomy graffiti-covered Leake Street. That's my sort of London, though of course it might not be yours! But if you're up for giving it a try... |
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Post by kathryn on Jan 29, 2019 9:56:50 GMT
I wouldn’t bother with the Theatre Cafe, personally, unless they are holding some kind of event. It’s just a cafe with a few posters in the walls that tries to flog you theatre tickets, with not enough tables!
You can find plenty of little cafes near theatres in the West End with more interesting memorabilia on their walls, donated by the actors who actually frequented them.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2019 10:32:15 GMT
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Post by alece10 on Jan 29, 2019 10:40:30 GMT
If you want great views of London for free visit the sky garden. skygarden.londonYou have to book in advance but it's free entry and both the gardens and views are amazing. |
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Post by TallPaul on Jan 29, 2019 13:31:00 GMT
You mentioned perhaps doing something cinema related, so may wish to have a look at londonfilmmuseum.com .
And another great free view of central London in general, and Covent Garden in particular, is from the very top of the Royal Opera House. Go through the doors to the modern extension, up a flight of stairs, then take the escalator to the very top of the building. There's a restaurant on the left, a cafe/bar on the right and a set of doors in between the two.
(The ROH is also a good place to spend a penny...without spending a penny.)
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2019 18:45:48 GMT
Sounds like a good trip. I think people here have advised others on basic stuff, like the need to get a travel card and budget for food etc. So look round the Board or someone.....might post a good link. My personal rec would be Six, strangely , considering the subject matter, life affirming. Would you recommend listening to the music first if I were to see Six?
No! Go, fall in love with it, then buy the album and listen to in on a loop for the rest of the year!
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Post by maggiem on Jan 30, 2019 12:03:06 GMT
Hi!
If you don't have an Oyster card, you can still use a contactless debit or credit card on the Tube or buses. the fares are the same as an Oyster card and there is a daily limit on what you'll pay in fares.
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Post by jaqs on Jan 31, 2019 11:08:11 GMT
You can also use Apple Pay from your phone on transport, but might not want to due to data useage. It is worth getting an oyster card and returning it when you leave.
Was going to recommend the sky garden but Alec beat me to it, easy walk from there to the Tower of London, and tower bridge, I’d not pay the entry fee for either but have a good walk round the outside, it’s quite something to see something so old next to the shiny new glass buildings of the city.
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Post by Phantom of London on Jan 31, 2019 12:21:11 GMT
The three shows you have booked.
Company is at the Gielgud Theatre, which is in Soho, very bohemian area, with Chinatown opposite the theatre.
All About Eve is at the Noel Coward Theatre, which is on the edge of Covent Garden a great place to visit as it is fun.
Follies is at the National which is on the South Bank, which is vibrant and very close to the London Eye, London Dungeons and Aquarium, great views of St Paul's Cathedral from the South Bank.
All 3 area my favourite areas in London and great place to dine or grab a coffee. |
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Post by londonmzfitz on Jan 31, 2019 13:56:44 GMT
My pal from Nebraska is coming over again in May (her 3rd visit since 2013) and we have a list ... She saw the Harry Potter Studios last time but this visit is bringing her daughter (in her 20's) so that is on the cards again. I've got Hamilton tickets booked for her first night in London. Yes to Skygarden - also, don't know if you would find it of interest but Tower Bridge has an exhibition thing and you get to walk on a glass floor that people rave about (not done it myself though). I would say if history is something you like it is worth having a look at the Tower of London and hearing the Wardens give their tour. Personally I love the Crown Jewels too .... And St Paul's Cathedral, although it costs a bit to get in, you can walk up to the very top and walk around the outside, and doff your cap at Admiral Nelson buried in a place of honour in the Crypt (it's a thing that you will forever and ever see photos of London and there will be St Pauls and you'll think I should have had a look inside). And after that you can walk over the walky bridge to see The Globe .... Early in your visit I'd recommend going on one of the boats from Westminster to the Tower of London, it gives you a good idea of the layout and twists and turns of the River - there are boats you can use an Oyster card on. New is a Visitor Oyster card - check www.tfl.gov.uk . I'd add to the Monkeys post above that Apple Ipay is really slow on the swipe in/out thing and if you do it in rush hour you will feel the hate on the back of your neck. The National Gallery is one I take my foreign friends to, Monets and Degas and Stubbs, oh my. There are some websites giving famous film sites, if that is something that would interest. My Nebrasken pal is a huge Benedict Cumberbatch fan so we *stalked* some Sherlock sites - North Gower Street is the site of Speedys Cafe and the front door (nearest tube is Euston Square or Warren Street). I loathe the Tussauds stuff, but hey, it's your trip, do what you want! Borough Market was used in Harry Potter and in Bridget Jones's Baby (and lots, lots more). Wiltons Music Hall (very close to the Tower of London / Tower Bridge) used to do tours I think on a Monday - OOOOO just googled and have seen that Pirates of Penzance is doing a run next month - was bloody stunning when I saw it in 2010.... Let us know more of your interests and we can chuck some more ideas at you ... |
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Post by kathryn on Jan 31, 2019 14:17:56 GMT
Lol @ ‘the walky bridge’! For some of us that will forever be known as ‘The Wobbly Bridge’, even though it hasn’t actually wobbled for years.
Speaking of film locations, If you’re an MCU fan you might recognise it from Guardians of the Galaxy!
There’s some excellent walking tours around, if you like that sort of thing, including film location themed tours, literary London, and historically focused.
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Post by Mr Snow on Jan 31, 2019 15:35:41 GMT
You mentioned film
There’s an exhibition of the costumes from The Favourite at Hampton Court Palace. My daughter enjoyed it and loved the palace
About 40mins on the train from Waterloo station
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Post by londonmzfitz on Jan 31, 2019 16:14:14 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2019 16:41:51 GMT
Lol @ ‘the walky bridge’! For some of us that will forever be known as ‘The Wobbly Bridge’, even though it hasn’t actually wobbled for years. Or the bridge that was a glaring anachronism when it was blown up in a Harry Potter film that was set before it was actually built... You mentioned film There’s an exhibition of the costumes from The Favourite at Hampton Court Palace. My daughter enjoyed it and loved the palace About 40mins on the train from Waterloo station It is just about a dozen costumes set up in one room of the palace, but the explanatory captions from Sandy Powell alongside them are really interesting, and the costumes haven't been cleaned so Emma Stone's dresses are covered in mud and Rachel Weisz's in fake blood! The palace itself is wonderful, easily a full day of exploring. |
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