Every year, millions of visitors flock to London to see shows in the West End. It’s the glittering jewel in the UK’s theatre crown, with dozens of theatres dazzling audiences night after night. Whether you’re looking for heart-wrenching drama, toe-tapping musicals or family-friendly fun, you can find it all in London’s sparkling West End.
Guests at the Grand Royale London Hyde Park Hotel don’t have far to go to find themselves at the heart of the famous theatre district. In fact, our hotels in Hyde Park make the perfect base for theatre fans who want to spend their trip taking in as many shows as possible. Let’s take a look at some of the best shows you can catch in the West End this month.
42nd Street
Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Catherine Street, London, WC2B 5JF
This incredible, toe-tapping production of a Broadway favourite has received rave reviews, and it’s easy to see why. The all-singing, all-dancing 42nd Street is the story of a young woman, Peggy Sawyer, who goes from small-town America to landing a leading role on the world’s biggest theatrical stage. Featuring classic songs including ‘We’re In The Money’ and the eponymous tune ‘42nd Street’, you’ll be tap-dancing all the way back to Grand Royale London Hyde Park Hotel after seeing this joyous new production.
The Birthday Party
Harold Pinter Theatre, 6 Panton Street, London, SW1Y 4DN
Starring Pinter aficionados Zoe Wanamaker, Toby Jones and Stephen Mangan, this production of Pinter’s second full-length play has a fairly short run, ending in April – so catch it while you can. The Birthday Party is one of Pinter’s most famous works. Despite originally closing after just eight performances, it’s gone on to become one of the most performed plays in the world – and with a stellar cast and top director, this new production is set to be the talk of the town.
Carmen, Royal Opera
Royal Opera House, Bow Street, London, WC2E 9DD
Carmen is one of the most famous operas ever written, and this new production, originally created for Frankfurt Opera, is set to feature two totally separate casts. This unique, very physical production puts a new spin on the famous story, which is a heady cocktail of passion, sensuality and violence. Music from Bizet’s original score, not usually used in productions, has been incorporated, to give this traditional opera favourite a new lease of life.
Disney’s Aladdin
Prince Edward Theatre, 28 Old Compton Street, London, W1D 4HS
If you’re looking for a family-friendly crowd-pleaser, look no further than this adaptation, which follows in the footsteps of other Disney stage successes such as Mary Poppins and The Lion King. Including classic songs like ‘A Whole New World’, ‘Arabian Nights’ and the genie’s show-stopping number ‘Friend Like Me’, this epic and much-loved stage interpretation has been one of the biggest hits on the West End since it opened in 2016.
Les Miserables
Queen’s Theatre, 51 Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 6BA
London’s West End would be incomplete without this musical theatre stalwart, which has been dazzling audiences for more than thirty years. Set against the backdrop of the French revolution, this theatrical epic has it all – love, loss, comedy, tragedy and spectacular staging that will have you shouting ‘Vive la France!’ along with the cast. Tickets for this much-loved favourite sell out for months in advance, but small numbers of returns are occasionally released each week.
