Theatre
Theatre in London
West End, South Bank and fringe: plays on in London, rated by the people who saw them.
The West End is the cluster of historic playhouses around Shaftesbury Avenue, Covent Garden, Leicester Square and the Strand, most of them a few minutes’ walk from Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus or Covent Garden stations. Star casting, big revivals and new plays transferring from smaller stages all meet here.
Across the river, the National Theatre on the South Bank runs three auditoriums, the Olivier, the Lyttelton and the Dorfman, close to Waterloo station. Further east along the Thames, Shakespeare’s Globe at Bankside performs in an open-air reconstruction of an Elizabethan playhouse, where part of the audience stands in the yard. Add the Old Vic, the Barbican and the Almeida, plus pub theatres and fringe venues across the city, and there is something new to see every week.
Audience reviews cover the production and the building: in theatres more than a century old, the view, legroom and acoustics vary a lot from one seat to the next. Musicals have their own page, musicals in London, and every other show is on what’s on in London.
Saw a play recently? Share your verdict and help the next audience decide.
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Shakespeare's Globe - Much Ado About Nothing
Much Ado About Nothing
Globe Theatre, Shakespeare's Globe · London
Upcoming
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Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - One Part Show
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (NY)
Palace Theatre · London
Upcoming
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Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s The Lives of Others
The Lives of Others
Adelphi Theatre · London
Upcoming
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Shakespeare's Globe - As You Like It
As You Like It
Globe Theatre, Shakespeare's Globe · London
Upcoming
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between West End and fringe theatre?
West End theatres are the large commercial playhouses in central London. Fringe and off-West End venues are smaller, often above pubs or in converted spaces, and tend to stage new writing and more experimental work.
How do I get to the National Theatre?
The National Theatre is on the South Bank, a short walk from Waterloo station. From the north bank, you can cross the Thames on foot from Embankment over the Golden Jubilee Bridges.
Do London theatres have restricted view seats?
Yes, many older theatres have pillars, overhangs or steep upper circles that block part of the stage from some seats. Reviews on MyCritik mention the view, which helps you know what to expect.