Going to London and Paris
Going to London and Paris
HopefulKate
Chorus Member Joined: 4/19/05
#0Going to London and Paris
Posted: 5/17/05 at 12:27pmHey guys, I'm going to London and Paris and would love some suggestions on good shows to see while I'm in town. I already have tickets to see The Tempest at Shakespeare's Globe, but interested as to what people think about the other shows going on. Let me know!
#1re: Going to London and Paris
Posted: 5/17/05 at 12:31pm
I HATE YOU!
Just kidding. I am pea green with envy.
Have a great trip and enjoy Mary Poppiins.
#2re: Going to London and Paris
Posted: 5/17/05 at 12:32pm
I'd suggest searching Time Out Paris's website for a listing of shows playing there. Musical Theatre is notoriously "unpopular" in France, so you probably won't see a lot of those on the boards. That said, the best production of the CHICAGO revival I ever saw was in Paris. In French of course!
HopefulKate
Chorus Member Joined: 4/19/05
#3re: Going to London and Paris
Posted: 5/17/05 at 12:33pmIs Mary Poppins open yet there??? I heard it was supposed to be fantastic and surprisingly dark? :) Sounds great, anyway!
#4re: Going to London and Paris
Posted: 5/17/05 at 12:37pm
Heck yeah, it's open.
The Original London Cast Recording is already out and on my iPod.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#5re: Going to London and Paris
Posted: 5/17/05 at 12:40pmYou MUST got to the Moulin Rouge. It's tons of cheesy fun, great costumes, stunning showgirls and amazing Can Can.
#6re: Going to London and Paris
Posted: 5/17/05 at 12:46pm
Very cool! just see everything and ANYTHING...
I'm going to college in London for a semester and I think I'll only have three classes one of which is really just "go to this museum or landmark today and see it for free or less money".
the other 4 days and the times I'm not in class are devoted to seeing theatre!
I'm seeing the classics *phantom, les mis* and I really wanna see We Will Rock You!
HopefulKate
Chorus Member Joined: 4/19/05
#7re: Going to London and Paris
Posted: 5/17/05 at 12:59pm
Glebb, any idea where it's playing, how to get tickets, etc.? I checked on the TKTS london site and it's not on there... that's why I didn't know it was open. Let me know, I'd really like to see it!
Thanks!
#8re: Going to London and Paris
Posted: 5/17/05 at 1:02pm
Kate --
MARY POPPINS won't be on the London TKTS. It's a very hot ticket right now. You'll probably need to book in advance. You can go through the west end board or call the theatre directly in London.
#9re: Going to London and Paris
Posted: 5/17/05 at 1:03pmIn London, definetely don't miss BILLY ELLIOT & MARY POPPINS ! Fantastic productions and emotional and wonderful shows !!! We Will Rock You is also fun, if you are a fan of Queen's music !
#10re: Going to London and Paris
Posted: 5/17/05 at 1:23pm
Kate, Michael Bennet is right -- Mary Poppins is very hot right now, it won't be on TKTS any time soon.
The show is at the Prince Edward Theatre on Old Compton Street. My recommendation is to call the box office and speak to a human 
. That's how I ordered my tickets.
If you don't want to do that, the theatre does hold back 30 seats that are sold on the day of performance -- but you should get to the box office early befor its 10 a.m. opening -- maybe 9 or 9:30 a.m.
I can also recommend Woman in White which is at the Palace theatre very close to where Mary Poppins is playing.
When are you going? If it's after June 27, John Owen Jones is taking over the role of Valjean in Les Miserables.
HopefulKate
Chorus Member Joined: 4/19/05
#11re: Going to London and Paris
Posted: 5/17/05 at 1:26pm
Ugh. i just called the box office for Mary Poppins and they don't have a pair the week I am there. Connections anyone? I really would love to see this show... I can go any day/night from Tuesday, 31st - Sat., 4th. Thanks for the help!
Updated On: 5/17/05 at 01:26 PM
queenie2
Understudy Joined: 1/20/05
#12re: Going to London and Paris
Posted: 5/17/05 at 1:58pmi recommend billy elliot and we will rock you. Blood brothers is also a great show!
#14re: Going to London and Paris
Posted: 5/17/05 at 2:08pm
Kate here is an alternative, which I posted in my previous message:
"The theatre does hold back 30 seats that are sold on the day of performance -- but you should get to the box office early before its 10 a.m. opening -- maybe 9 or 9:30 a.m."
A few people I know have gotten good seats that way. Also, why not try to get two singles rather than a pair together? You might have better luck that way.
HopefulKate
Chorus Member Joined: 4/19/05
#15re: Going to London and Paris
Posted: 5/17/05 at 2:13pmKec ... that's what I'm gonna have to do. I really would love to get a pair together, so I suppose that's the best way. But thanks for all the info!
jim
Stand-by Joined: 10/7/03
#16re: Going to London and Paris
Posted: 5/17/05 at 3:00pm
Kate
I agree with others here who suggested that you order POPPINS tickets early. I suggest you call the box office directly. Just remember there is a six hour difference so if you call from the states, you will have to call in the morning. But being able to talk to someone directly was great.
You'll get the best seats that way. I loved WOMAN IN WHITE too.
The other two shows we saw (SWEENEY TODD and GRAND HOTEL) have closed.
Be sure and purchase the travel card for the tube and buses in London. It's a bargain.. you can buy seven day passes. The tube was very easy to navigate. Much easier than New York. Just my opinion.
I loved Paris although we were not there as many days as we were in London. Are you taking the train to Paris? Thru the chunnel?
Have fun!
HopefulKate
Chorus Member Joined: 4/19/05
#17re: Going to London and Paris
Posted: 5/19/05 at 12:35pmThanks for the great suggestions! Yes, taking the train from London to Paris... AH! I can't wait ... 6 more days! And I am spending 11 days there with the most wonderful "bloke" :) Mmmm... EEK! :)
TheatreDiva90016
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
#18re: Going to London and Paris
Posted: 5/19/05 at 12:46pm
MIND THE GAP!
freelancer
Stand-by Joined: 2/3/05
#19re: Going to London and Paris
Posted: 5/19/05 at 12:47pm
When do you go? Will Guys and Dolls with Ewan McGregor be open while you're there?
#20re: Going to London and Paris
Posted: 5/19/05 at 4:26pm
Yes yes yes, see Les Miz in London. It's still wonderfully fresh, and it's been running for 20 years over there! I'd also recommend taking in a show at the National Theatre, because the productions there are consistently amazing. It's a shame Sweeney Todd has closed, because it was absolutely amazing.
What I highly recommend doing when you get to London is buying the current issue of Time Out (they're released weekly), because not only does it outline the theatre schedule, but it also tells you about other activities, both ones that are only going on for that week and ones that occur regularly (i.e. bus tours and museum hours). It's a ruddy useful tool (hee hee! London speak creeping through). I'd also recommend buying an A-Z guide (they call it an A to Zed), which you can probably get at Heathrow (or Gatwick, if that's where you're landing) and you can DEFINITELY get at any Tesco supermarket. It's this little book that has maps of every street and area in London--it's great if you want to see the city on foot, because it's easy to get lost without a map.
As for Paris, if you're only going to be there for a short time (less than three days), don't even touch the Louvre, because you'll just end up rushing through the place and not really seeing anything. The Musee d'Orsay is a better alternative for a short stay, because it's smaller and the art is not as notorious, but just as gorgeous. Also be sure to take a walk through the Jardins Tuilleries, see the Eiffel Tower (it's absolutely breathtaking), and visit Montmartre and Le Marais (two of the hippest districts in Paris).
And most importantly, have fun and take in the atmos.
Millie42
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/19/04
#21re: Going to London and Paris
Posted: 5/19/05 at 6:24pm
I just got back from 4 months in London!
Les Mis, of course. I saw it last month and it was AMAZING.
I am also going to plug Blood Brothers. I really liked it---very touching.
It's not musical theatre and I dont know if it is still playing, but I laughed until I cried with The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)
POTO was great too, but that can always be seen in NYC...
#22re: Going to London and Paris
Posted: 5/19/05 at 9:33pmWhen are you going to London? I'm going in late-August/September, and I am most excited about the revival of DEATH OF A SALESMAN with Brian Dennehy (I missed it when it was in New York, and I hear it's a fantastic production). And I also hope there's a good show at the Globe Theatre at that time.
#23re: Going to London and Paris
Posted: 5/19/05 at 9:41pmThe Globe has three shows in repertory at any given time of year, and they rarely disappoint. I'm sure the theatre has a website that you can check to see what they'll be doing come August.
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