My daughter’s late September trip to London

[bear88]

Posted: 7/16/24 at 11:52pm

My daughter, lucky her, is headed to London and Paris on vacation in late September (after Sept. 21, and I know a lot of shows close or switch casts then). It’s been a very long time since I have been to London so I had a few questions on her behalf.

The first is the logistics and the best way to get tickets. She would rather not buy anything in advance. Is there some equivalent of TKTS there? Rush? Just head to the theater where the show she wants is playing? Sorry for the extremely basic queries.

The second is any suggestions for a show she really should consider. My daughter favors musicals and while she often prefers lighter fare, some of her favorite shows are not cheery. She was contemplated everything from Cabaret to Mamma Mia to Guys and Dolls. But I am sure there is some show that you folks think she shouldn’t miss - so feel free to offer any ideas. She won’t be in London too long, so she probably will only see 2 shows or 3 max. 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 7/17/24 at 12:16am

There is a TKTS booth in London, actually. If she doesn’t want to buy in advance she should also use TodayTix when she’s there.

[quizking101]

Posted: 7/17/24 at 12:17am

I believe they do have a TKTS booth there and also TodayTix is HUGE in London for rush.

I prefer to buy in advance because I don’t like to risk getting a seat that won’t fit me.

As for show recommendations, OPERATION MINCEMEAT is a MUST. I would also recommend the immersive GUYS AND DOLLS. STARLIGHT EXPRESS looks like a heavily immersive experience that likely won’t be replicated anywhere else, so I would put that in the mix. 

I can personally attest the first two are fantastic but SE I’ll be seeing next week

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 7/17/24 at 3:33am

How old is your daughter and why can’t she pick her own shows and figure out all this stuff herself?  As a kid living in South Florida in the 1970s, I devoured The New York Times weekly so I was savvy about the Broadway brewings so my folks took my suggestions on what to see when we headed up to NYC every few months. 

[bear88]

Posted: 7/17/24 at 4:12am

My daughter is a young adult with plenty of experience planning New York City trips and shows she wants to see. She doesn’t need my help to make such choices, but it’s been 30 years since I have been to London on my honeymoon and almost randomly picking a musical revival to see. I had never heard of it, but my bride wanted to see a light musical comedy after a heavier play the night before. The revival? She Loves Me.

So if the people on this board, many of whom are experienced London theatergoers, can offer any tips or suggestions for shows she might consider and the best way to navigate getting tickets in a new city, why not use the resource? In the end, she will figure things out and make her own decisions.

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 7/17/24 at 5:00am

Today tix or day seats at the theatre. I don’t book in advance, get everything on the day. Never had a bad seat in London. 

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 7/17/24 at 9:09am

Advise your daughter to skip Mamma Mia, and see ABBA Voyage instead.

[bear88]

Posted: 9/20/24 at 1:21am

My daughter's trip is right around the corner and she's swamped with work. But she expressed some curiosity about Why Am I So Single?, the new musical from the creators of Six (which she enjoyed well enough but didn't love). She is both intrigued, as it sounds like fun, and a little concerned that it might be too fluffy.

Has anyone seen it?

[imeldasturn]

Posted: 9/20/24 at 2:10am

I haven't seen it, but you should check TheatreBoard (London equivalent of this board), where people seem to like it https://theatreboard.co.uk/thread/10981/why-single-garrick

Updated On: 9/20/24 at 02:10 AM

[BwayinVan]

Posted: 9/20/24 at 6:22am

I saw it last week. It was…ok. I would say there are a bunch of better shows currently  playing. It’s very UK centric so if she’s not familiar with British humour or strong British accents I would say give it a miss

[bear88]

Posted: 9/20/24 at 11:10pm

I have read plenty of praise for Operation Mincemeat. Does the British humor/accent issue apply to that show?

Any recommendations? She’s leaving Sunday and hasn’t had a chance to do much research due to work.

[BwayinVan]

Posted: 9/21/24 at 2:07am

Sorry, to clarify I was talking about Why am I so Single

[inception]

Posted: 9/21/24 at 2:48am

Maybe you can stream the cast album somewhere to get a feel?

I haven't seen it but ordered a copy of the cd from the UK through Amazon.  It's British, but not difficult.  

Edit: I'm talking about Operation Mincemeat 

Updated On: 9/21/24 at 02:48 AM

[ggersten]

Posted: 9/21/24 at 11:53am

Mincemeat is terrific and not "too British".  Some of the lyrics go by really fast so you miss some of the word play - and there is a lot of word play. 

But the theatre is small - it's one price for all seats, varied by the day. Mondays are the least expensive and pretty much sold out. I have not sat in the Circle, where seats seem to be available on other days, but I have read some not-great things about seating room and height. 

Added: A shame N2N closes today (21 September). It is/was a spectacular production. 

Updated On: 9/21/24 at 11:53 AM