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Theatres

To say you’re spoiled for choice is an understatement – from the sophisticated West End, famous for its long-running shows, through to the excellent standard-setting National Theatre company to the unpredictable alternative arts scene, there’s something for everyone here.

Classical Music, Dance and Opera

London is home to several world-class orchestras, playing at such venues as the Barbican Centre and the Festival Hall. These two venues are in fact large arts centres with theatres, cinemas and art galleries in addition to their concert halls.
The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden is home to the Royal Opera and Royal Ballet companies. The English National Opera performs in the English language at the Coliseum.

Cinema

Most top films are still premiered in Leicester Square before they are released to cinemas across London. Niche arthouse film buffs are well catered for in London, as you would expect. The British Film Institute show re-released classics and arthouse pieces at the bfi IMAX in Waterloo with its huge screen yet intimate atmosphere, or check out the National Film Theatre, also on the South Bank. Tickets for film showings at the large chain cinemas, such as Odeon and UCI cinemas, can all be booked online at the respective cinema-group websites; alternatively, telephone numbers for them can be found either in Yellow Pages or on www.yell.com.

Tickets

There are ticket agencies throughout London, but tickets for popular shows - particularly musicals – sell out quickly and may need to be booked months in advance. The Evening Standard newspaper and Time Out magazine are good sources of info regarding what’s on, when and where.

North London

Theatre

Hampstead Theatre has a strong reputation for ground-breaking drama, with great children’s theatre, too. New End Theatre presents new and challenging work in an intimate setting – there are just 84 seats here. Sadler’s Wells theatre is home to the English National Ballet, and is visited by many touring dance companies.

Cinema

The Everyman in Hampstead is an art house cinema with a clubby feel. Screen on the Green in Islington, shows independent, mainstream releases and films from around the world.

East London (Docklands)

Theatre

Hackney Empire originally staged music hall before it fell into decline; it was restored and re-opened in 2004, and is a unique building, justly recommended for its architecture alone. It stages every type of performance - from family productions, dance and music to classic drama - in its Main and Acorn theatres.

Cinema

The Rio Cinema in Dalston Kingsland is a landmark, with its stunning Art Deco façade and interior. It shows world cinema and offers Saturday morning childrens film club and regular midweek classic matinees.

South London

Theatre

In Southwark, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre has been recreated in all its Elizabethan glory, and hosts notable Shakespearean productions. Greenwich Theatre has a reputation as a test-bed for the West End, as does the popular Churchill Theatre, in Bromley High Street. Richmond Theatre also showcases many pre-West End productions. The little Orange Tree Theatre, near the station plays host to more experimental productions. Wimbledon Theatre has an excellent reputation for pantomime, and there’s an excellent specialist theatre for younger arts lovers in the area, too: the Polka Children’s Theatre.

Cinema

The Ritzy Cinema in Coldharbour Lane in Brixton is the largest independent cinema in the UK, with five screens showing world cinema and regular Sunday matinees. A little way down the A2 at the Bluewater retail and leisure destination in Greenhithe, the Showcase multiscreen cinema screens mainstream blockbusters, but also has a studio showing arthouse films.

West London

Theatre

Hammersmith is a major West London arts centre, with two theatres, the Lyric and the Riverside, and the Apollo, which plays host to pop concerts and other events. The Royal Court Theatre, often the setting for alternative productions, is in Sloane Sqare, Chelsea. The Riverside Studios is one of London’s flagship cultural venues. It stages performances, mostly of contemporary theatre, in two spaces, plus there’s a cinema, TV studio and exhibition space.

Cinema

Riverside Studios is one of the last repertory cinemas in the UK, screening two double bills every evening. The Gate in Notting Hill presents arthouse films and world cinema, and has become a magnet for film connoisseurs. In Harrow, there’s a ten-screen cinema at the new St Georges’ shopping centre.