comedies
Visit the West End for some good quality entertainment from the world of theatre. Witness great shows from the pens of William Shakespeare, Harold Pinter, Alan Ayckbourne and Andrew Lloyd Webber and sit inside theatres with long and detailed histories. In London, you will not just be enjoying any old trip to the theatre, you will be having an experience you will remember for years to come.
From the theatres to the performers; many plays, musicals and comedies have featured some well known stars in recent years, with actors such as James McAvoy, Josh Hartnett, David Tennant, Sir Ian McKellen, Imelda Staunton, Patrick Stewart and Christopher Ecclestone appearing in plays such as Rain Main, Hamlet, Entertaining Mr Sloane and Three Days of Rain. Then there are performers appearing in hit musicals such as Ray Quinn, Gareth Gates, Michael Ball and Nigel Planer appearing in the likes of Grease, Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Hairspray.
There is so much choice it is scarcely known where to begin. One thing’s for certain, in London’s Theatreland there is something for everybody, young and old and whether you are a fan of musicals or Shakespeare.
Many plays are so well known that their productions are featured regularly on the news. David Tennant’s stint in Hamlet was watched pretty closely over Christmas, as has Rowan Atkinson’s take on Fagin in Dickens’ Oliver!. The story of the young orphan boy has been wowing audiences and critics alike since it opened only recently.
In the case of Oliver! people have been delighted at the skill and artistry on display in this new telling of a very familiar tale. From the moment Oliver utters that famous line “Please sir, can I have some more” to the moment the cast takes their bows, audience have been gripped by the classic story.
Soon, Omid Djalili will bringing the experience he has built up from the likes of Black Books, Gladiator and The Mummy to the role of Fagin as he takes over from Rowan Atkinson in the next few months. He is likely to keep the popularity of the show alive as it continues through 2009.
The West End is still enjoying great success, even in a time of economic woes. It is times like these that people enjoy theatre as a great form of escapism from the turbulent times. But it is also a way of experiencing some items of cultural significance, so make sure you get your theatre tickets ready and head for a West End show today!