London Musicals

[bobnatt]

To my United Kingdom friends,

 

We are leaving on June 7th to London for a two days pre cruise trip before we join the QV on June 10th.

 

We are looking for musicals to attend on the evening of June 9th. Last year we were on a land vacation to London and saw Billy Elliot, Wicked and Dirty Dancing. Billy Elliot was one of the best musicals we have ever seen.

 

I realize it is late to look for a musical but we used the concierge last year and were able to get all the tickets we requested (understanding there was probably a huge premium).

 

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

[blackpool uk]

Bobnat

Firstly hope you enjoy your stay in the Uk

'Gone with the wind'.......mixed reviews

'Lord of the rings'.....if you liked the films?

'marguarite' by the couple who wrote Les Mis and Miss Saigon.........poor reviews

'Sound of Music' excellent saw it in January

'Cabaret' ...won best musical lat year

Blood Brothers ....been running forever

Grease....as per the film

jersey boys.....but you prob saw that in NYC

similarly Mamma -Mia and Hairspray

 

Any Good

Enjoy

Chris and Sheila

[Green Apple]

Hello Bob,

I notice that you have seen many of the popular musicals in London. Just recently returned from a crossing on QM2, we spent four nights in London and went to Covent Garden to see the Royal Ballet in Sleeping Beauty - wonderful and the theater is something worth seeing. We had also seen many of the musicals and the ballet was a real treat. Of course not everyone would agree. I see that there is a mixed program on June 9 (Dancers at a Gathering, Chopin music) with The Dream (Mendelsohn, based on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream). You can see the Covent Garden site at royaloperahouse.org with www. in front of "royal".

We noticed that Monday night is also dark for some of the theaters. It was really easy to order tickets on line and you get a print out to bring to the theater in order to pick up the tickets on the night of the show.

Hope you have a great trip.

Anita

[bobnatt]

Anita, Chris and Sheila,

 

Thank you so much for your quick and helpful reply. Anita, I hadn't even thought of the ballet so we will look into that as my wife, Helen, will really like that. When you go to the ballet in London is the dress code formal like the Metropolitan Opera in NYC? Chris and Sheila, yes we did see Jersey Boys in NYC and until we saw Billy Elliot it was our favorite (especially since we both turned 60 this year).

 

Really getting excited about our trip

 

bob

[Green Apple]

Hi Bob,

No, the dress code did not seem to be all that formal. We saw everything from casually dressed young people to the older folks in their suits and ladies in dresses (not formal) to most of the audience in what I would call business wear. So, in short, anything goes! I think audiences these days don't worry about appearances.

Anita

[Bramcruiser]

Last year we saw Spamalot. I realize Monty Python is not everyone's cup of tea and quite frankly they are usually hit or miss with me. However, my other half and I, both thoroughly enjoyed Spamalot which pays homage to their Holy Grail movie while poking fun at current society at the same time.

 

We're back in London this year but we've got tickets for a comedy this time giving the big-buck musicals a break. Off to see The 39 Steps which apparently got good reviews and has been running for two years.

 

Might I add.....wonderful suggestions by the other posters.

 

David

 

P.S. I agree that people - even in London - do not dress up formally for theatre anymore. Last year I saw everything from suits to T-shirts and Jeans. We went business casual so were in-between.

[alphakitty]

We saw Cabaret at the Lyric Theatre while in London recently. It was very moving and a wonderful production. There was some nudity so over 14 years old is recommended. I laughed when I heard a husband to wife in the seats in front of me "What did you take me to here? Is this a porn show? LOL They didn't come back after intermission. ;)

 

That said, the show was really good..especially Alistair McGowan as the Emcee.

[Cornus]

(especially since we both turned 60 this year).

 

We also saw 'Billy Elliot' when we spent a few days in London before boarding the QE2 for the 40th anniversary cruise last Sept. We went to the theater the morning of the performance and bought *old people tkts* [they have a term for it, but it escapes me at the moment...senior moment :)] for that same night...great seats in the orchestra at a considerable savings over the regular tkt price. You might try this for whatever show you choose. Can't wait to see 'Billy Elliot' again when it come to NY this fall.

 

You might also check this forum: http://www.talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat/ Although the discussion is mostly about B'way shows, there are often threads about what's happening in London.

[bobnatt]

Just ordered two tickets to the ballet for June 9th. My wife is thrilled and I will try to stay awake. Everyone thank you so much for your input. This has been incredibly helpful.

 

Alphakitty, we saw Cabaret last year in Paris in French. I had seen it years ago in New York.

[bonni99]

I saw The 39 Steps recently and it is absolutely brilliant! if you go on lastminute.com you can often get tickets for it for £10.00. I would recommend it highly!

[hansol1966]

Hello bobnatt , I would echo bonni99s recommendation of the website lastminute.com which is one we use all the time when we are spending the weekend in London(We live about 1 hours drive away). Use the uk website which carries most activities..tickets you might need in London, theatre tickets can be picked up at the door. Also on the day in Leicester square (west end near piccadily circus) there is the half price ticket booth selling a selection of west end plays/musicals at prices similar to lastminute.com.

Saturday nights are always fullprice at most of the more popular musicals but any other night (bar sunday night..dark) and saturday matinee there are reduced prices and so much better value than broadway.

My favourites are Les Miserables(a must) and Blood Brothers, always good value seats and catchy tunes...have a great time and dont forget our national museums are free giving plenty to do during the day.

Fred&Sian

[bobnatt]

have a great time and dont forget our national museums are free giving plenty to do during the day.

Fred&Sian

 

Last year we went to the British Museum and the underground Churchill War rooms. These year we only have two days before we go to Southampton so besides the ballet (we bought the tickets on line) we are also going to see the King tut exhibit (we got the tickets last September).

 

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions.

 

bob

[renne]

Bob, if you're interested....there's a new exhibit at the Imperial War Museum that's devoted to the life and works of Ian Fleming called "For Your Eyes Only". I was in London in March and missed it as I was a bit too early to book tickets for this exhibit. It sounds fascinating and I really wish I could have seen it. You'll probably have to book the tkts online if you want to see it. Enjoy London, and all it has to offer.....

Rena

[bobnatt]

Bob, if you're interested....there's a new exhibit at the Imperial War Museum that's devoted to the life and works of Ian Fleming called "For Your Eyes Only". I was in London in March and missed it as I was a bit too early to book tickets for this exhibit. It sounds fascinating and I really wish I could have seen it. You'll probably have to book the tkts online if you want to see it. Enjoy London, and all it has to offer.....

Rena

 

Sounds great but unfortunately we only have two days in London and besides the king tut exhibit and the ballet we also will be visiting some family near Golder's Green and with jet lag I think we have squeezed in all we can do.

 

I looked on line and the exhibit looks very interesting. My first date with my wife in 1965 was to a James Bond movie.

[Fifty Dollar Bob]

My first date with my wife in 1965 was to a James Bond movie.

 

My first date to my wife was Covent Garden.....

 

From the point of view of the opera is that if you are in the Orchestra Stalls or Grand Tier then there is a slightly higher proportion of those wearing suits - but still not enough to feel out of place wearing chinos and open shirt (which is what I normally wear) notwithstanding you still see a few wearing black tie. That is pretty unusual.

 

I imagine that the Ballet isn't significantly different. It hasn't been on the very few times I've been.

 

Dress code as per daytime on a Cunarder is probably the best way to put it on this board!

[DancingMike]

We were in London for four nghts after our QE2 crossing and went to the Prince Edward Theater and had seen the Jersey Boys. If you liked the music of Frank Valli and the Four Seasons, you will enjoy the show. It was sold out and the people were dancing in their seats.

Dress was like business casual, it was a Friday evening performance.

 

We went to dinner before the show, there was a large selection of moderate places to eat in the area. After the show we walked down to Picadilly Circus and it was like Times Square.

 

Enjoy!

[bobnatt]

We were in London for four nghts after our QE2 crossing and went to the Prince Edward Theater and had seen the Jersey Boys. If you liked the music of Frank Valli and the Four Seasons, you will enjoy the show. It was sold out and the people were dancing in their seats.

Dress was like business casual, it was a Friday evening performance.

 

We went to dinner before the show, there was a large selection of moderate places to eat in the area. After the show we walked down to Picadilly Circus and it was like Times Square.

 

Enjoy!

 

Thanks we actually saw Jersey boys in NYC last year and you are right it was a fantastic time for Helen and I as we are now 60 years old and Franky Valli is the music of our youth when we were first dating...

[vtbobby]

Thanks we actually saw Jersey boys in NYC last year and you are right it was a fantastic time for Helen and I as we are now 60 years old and Franky Valli is the music of our youth when we were first dating...

 

We are in London right now awaiting departure on QM2 on Monday. We saw "Jersey Boys" last night...the audience was deliriously happy throughout, cheering, screaming, dancing, and singing along. Best show I've seen since "The Producers". Sold Out...We got first row of Dress Circle...3pm "cast & crew returns" at box office. Tonight, we are off to the Old Vic for "Pygmalion"...slightly different experience. ;)

 

Bob & Beatrice

[bobnatt]

We are in London right now awaiting departure on QM2 on Monday. We saw "Jersey Boys" last night...the audience was deliriously happy throughout, cheering, screaming, dancing, and singing along. Best show I've seen since "The Producers". Sold Out...We got first row of Dress Circle...3pm "cast & crew returns" at box office. Tonight, we are off to the Old Vic for "Pygmalion"...slightly different experience. ;)

 

Bob & Beatrice

 

We saw Jersey Boys last year in NYC and it was fabulous. If you have a chance try to see Billy Elliot it is also fantastic and the musical was created by Elton John based upon the movie.

 

If you miss it in London it opens in NYC this Fall.

[flag fan]

And now for something completely different . . . . Spamalot. Funny (if you like absurdist humor) and lively tunes.

[bobnatt]

Hello Bob,

I notice that you have seen many of the popular musicals in London. Just recently returned from a crossing on QM2, we spent four nights in London and went to Covent Garden to see the Royal Ballet in Sleeping Beauty - wonderful and the theater is something worth seeing. We had also seen many of the musicals and the ballet was a real treat. Of course not everyone would agree. I see that there is a mixed program on June 9 (Dancers at a Gathering, Chopin music) with The Dream (Mendelsohn, based on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream). You can see the Covent Garden site at royaloperahouse.org with www. in front of "royal".

We noticed that Monday night is also dark for some of the theaters. It was really easy to order tickets on line and you get a print out to bring to the theater in order to pick up the tickets on the night of the show.

Hope you have a great trip.

Anita

 

Anita, thank you so much for the suggestion to see the ballet at the Royal Opera House. We saw it this evening and it was wonderful. We were able to get third row orchestra seats on the web. My wife was literally in tears from the joy she felt in seeing both ballets.

 

Our hotel was only a few blocks from the opera house. Tomorrow we leave at 9:30am for the Queen Victoria.

[Green Apple]

Hi Bob and Helen,

I am so glad you enjoyed the ballet - it is not always everyone's cup of tea. My husband also now likes to go and we often opt to see the ballet wherever we travel.

Have a great trip -nice of you to keep us posted. Everyone benefits.

Anita

[nitwit]

I'd go and have a nice meal in Soho and than move on to Ronnie Scott's personally.

Glenn.