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Theatre
There are more than 50 theatres in London. The vast majority are in the West End but some are just outside including The National Theatre and The Barbican Theatre. There is a growing number of “Off West End and Fringe Theatres and the quality of their performances is very high
There is an ‘official’ half price theatre ticket booth in Leicester Square is TKTS.
Visit the TKTS site and click on “On Sale Today” for more information. There is a charge of £1.50/£2 per ticket. You are sold tickets from the top of the pile which means you are not allowed to choose your seats They sell the most expensive seats available first..
There are several other ‘unofficial’ reduced price ticket booths in the area of Leicester Square.
Disabilities and the theatre.
These days there is legislation to help people with disabilities of all kinds. There are laws which compel there to be access to buildings wherever this is possible.
The accessibility to theatres in London varies. Newer buildings tend to have good access for wheelchair users but some of the older theatres are restricted in what they can do especially if they have listed building status. For a comprehensive Guide to Access in London theatres click here (It is quite a big file and may take some time to download so please be patient)
More productions are now providing Assisted Performances. For the deaf or hard of hearing and the visually impaired there are
Audio described performances
Aimed at people with visual impairment. Trained describers prepare and perform a script commenting on the set, costumes and body language, facial expressions and physical movement. The information is received through a discreet headset during the pauses in the performances
Signed performances
Aimed at the deaf or hard of hearing who are familiar with British Sign language. Describers, usually situated at the side of the stage, interpret the script at the same time it is being performed.
Captioned performances
Aimed at those who are deaf or hard of hearing Captions of the full or edited script are displayed on an electronic screen, usually placed level with the stage or in the set.
For a full description of Captioned Performances and an email newsletter of performances which are captioned click here
Headsets Some theatres provide headsets. The supply of these is usually free. You leave a deposit which is returned once you hand in the headset at the end of the performance. The National Theatre, in particular provides this service but there are no doubt others so ask when you make a booking.
The Theatre Museum
The Theatre Museum is the National Museum of the Performing Arts. Situated in the heart of London's theatreland, it houses the world's leading collection of material relating to the British stage. All the live performing arts are represented, including drama, dance, opera, musical theatre, circus, puppetry, music hall and live art. Visit the web site click here
The National Theatre www.nationaltheatre.org.uk
The National Theatre which is heavily subsidised is situated on the south bank of the River Thames and is part of an arts complex which includes The Royal Festival Hall, The Queen Elizabeth Hall, The National Film Theatre and The Hayward Gallery. The Tate Modern Gallery is not far away.
The National Theatre has 3 auditoria, the Olivier Theatre (open stage with seating for about 1150 people), the Lyttleton (proscenium stage with seating for about 890) and the Cottesloe (a small studio theatre on three levels with flexible staging and seating for up to 300.
There are reductions for Senior Citizens at matinees
If what you want to see is sold out there are day tickets on sale from 10 am but be warned if it is a very poplular show you may have to start queueing at 6 am !”
With the new season some of the shows have a large number of seats at £10.
There are audio-described and sign language interpreted performances on a regular basis and they offer access guides in large print & braille. Telephone 020 7452 3540 for details.
The programmes are presented in repertory and frequently transfer to West End theatres. Many transfers are also made to Broadway and there are tours of the U.K.
There are also all sorts of other events and services; early evening performances, free live entertainment both inside and outdoors; free exhibitions and foyer music, backstage tours, bookshops and places to eat and drink. Visit the National Theatre web site. Full details of National Theatre programmes are at http://nationaltheatre.org.uk
The Royal Shakespeare Company
The RSC stage productions in London and at the Memorial Theatre in Stratford on Avon in Warwickshire (about 100 miles north west of London.
As with the National Theatre their programmes are performed in repertory.
For detailed information of Shakespeare’s life and work click here.
2006 is the 400th anniversary of Hamlet and the RSC is holding a whole year of celebrations in Stratford-upon Avon more..>
The West End
The West End is home to the majority of theatres and as there are more than 40 there is always a feast of productions of all types from drama to musicals.
The official London Theatre Guide has information on the shows,price ranges and show times. Many tickets can now be booked online.
There are several ‘half price’ ticket booths in the Leicester Square area selling reduced price tickets for same day performances.
There are a number of ‘fringe’ theatres with excellent productions. Details are usually to be found in the daily newspapers
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
21 New Globe Walk (near to Tate Modern Gallery)
( www.shakespeares-globe.org ) Tube: Southwark, London Bridge or Waterloo. There are tours and exhibitions all year round and live authentic theatre performances from May to September.
The original Globe where many of Shakespeare’s plays were first performed was burnt down in 1613. Nearly 400 years later it was rebuilt not far from the original site using construction methods and materials as close as possible to the originals. For details of Shakespeare’s life and work click here
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