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Updated by Julius Honnor
“All the world’s a stage,” said Shakespeare, immortal words heard for the first time right here in London. And whether you prefer your theater, music, and art classical or modern, or as contemporary twists on time-honored classics, you’ll find that London’s vibrant cultural scene holds its own on the world stage.
Divas sing original-language librettos at the Royal Opera House, Shakespeare’s plays are brought to life at the reconstructed Globe Theatre, and challenging new writing is produced at the Royal Court. Whether you feel like basking in the lighthearted extravagance of a West End musical or taking in the next shark-in-formaldehyde at the White Cube gallery, the choice is yours.
There are international theater festivals, innovative music festivals, and critically acclaimed seasons of postmodern dance. Short trip or long, you’ll find the cultural scene in London is ever-changing, ever-expanding, and ever-exciting.
No matter where you head, you’ll find that London’s art and performing arts scenes have been setting global trends for decades—and when you include Shakespearean theater and Handel oratorios, for centuries. Fringe theater, classical ballet, participatory chorales, you name it, London probably did it first and often does it best.
Planning
Top Theater Tips
Behind the pillars. Many theaters and concert halls sell discounted seats with restricted views.
Matinees. Afternoon performances are almost always a better value than evening ones.
Previews. Tickets to shows are usually less expensive in the first few weeks of their run, before the critics have had their say.
Monday. Most cinemas and some theaters, including the Royal Court, have a reduced-price ticketing policy on Monday.
Standing. The Globe Theatre and the Proms are the two most prominent places where remaining upright saves you money.
Find Out What’s Playing Where
To find out what’s showing now, the weekly magazine Time Out (now free, issued every Tuesday outside major stations and around the city; also online at www.timeout.com) is invaluable.
The free Evening Standard carries listings, many of which are also available online at www.thisislondon.co.uk. Metro, London’s other widely available free newspaper, is also worth checking out, as are many Sunday papers, and the Saturday Independent, Guardian, and Times.
You can pick up the free fortnightly London Theatre Guide from hotels and tourist-information centers.
There are hundreds of small private galleries all over London with interesting work by famous and not-yet-famous artists. The bimonthly free pamphlet “new exhibitions of contemporary art” (www.newexhibitions.com), available at most galleries, lists and maps nearly 200 art spaces in London.
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