Suggestions for London Trip in Dec

[steven22]

Posted: 10/27/21 at 2:13pm

I'll be traveling to London for about a week in early December. I already have a ticket to SPRING AWAKENING at the Almeida. Any suggestions for other can't miss productions?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/27/21 at 2:24pm

I’ll be there for part of December, as well. Set my alarm for 5am the other day for those “Spring Awakening” tix only to learn they went on sale at noon London time. I was angry lol.

If you can somehow get a ticket for “Cabaret”, that’ll be the hot ticket in town. I’m also looking forward to “Hex” at the National which is a new musical based on Sleeping Beauty. Also, the always remarkable Beverly Knight is staring in the new musical “The Drifters Girl” and the UK premiere of “Moulin Rouge” will have started performances. For Plays, “Night Mother” with Stockard Channing is playing, “Ocean at the End of the Lane” and “Life of Pi” are all things I’m looking forward to.

Other things I’d recommend are “Back to the Future”, since for some reason I think it’s unlikely to come here and I actually really enjoyed it. just opened up a few weeks ago on the West End is “Pride and Prejudice *sort of” which you can get cheap tickets for and was one of the funniest and biggest surprises I’ve seen in a very long time. I think you can get really good tix for under £20 and it’s worth a lot more than that.

In addition to theater, Kensington Palace has Diana’s iconic Wedding Dress on display as part of their exhibit that’s ending in January - something I’m finally going to check out in a couple weeks.

[adotburr]

Posted: 10/27/21 at 2:26pm

I hear great things about Cinderella but also it’s coming to NYC next fall. I don’t know if anything will be changed before the NYC opening.

[steven22]

Posted: 10/27/21 at 2:31pm

Thank you both!

[VernonGersch]

Posted: 10/27/21 at 5:40pm

was planning at London trip in December to see: Cabaret, Force Majeure, Get Up Stand Up, Spring Awakening and Manor at the NT

But I keep hearing reports of masks not on in theater and lack of Vax mandate - I'll wait until things settle down over there.  The thought of being in a theater with folks not wearing masks and potentially not vaxxed isnt my idea of a relaxing theater trip

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/27/21 at 5:46pm

Vernon, yeah it’s a different world there. I saw over a dozen shows the past few weeks and was asked only once for my vax info. I’m every theater I was maybe one of only a small handful who had a mask on - I wouldn’t even lower it to take a sip of water. I’m triple vaxxed because of going back and forth to the UK as much as I do and maybe I’m overly cautious. But until I don’t need a negative Covid test to fly back home I’m happier just being extra safe.

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 10/27/21 at 5:56pm

Is Timbers doing a show at the National? I saw he posted something on IG but wasn’t sure if that was an older reference.

[binau]

Posted: 10/27/21 at 6:36pm

Do not under any circumstances temp yourself into seeing The Prince of Egypt. Unless you are a design major looking to learn something because it does have its impressive moments, this has to be among the worst musicals on the west end right now!

[dadaguza]

Posted: 10/28/21 at 12:16pm

Back to the Future does look fun. The West End's production of Phantom is also on my list if I ever visit London so that would be my other suggestion. Have a great trip! 

[dadaguza]

Posted: 10/28/21 at 12:22pm

Jordan Catalano said: "In addition to theater, Kensington Palace has Diana’s iconic Wedding Dress on display as part of their exhibit that’s ending in January - something I’m finally going to check out in a couple weeks."

I'll wonder if they'll bring and display it at the NYC exhibit that starts in January.

 

[52889j]

Posted: 10/28/21 at 2:17pm

Was just in London for two weeks, got back last night.

I will also echo the notes on pandemic related safety precautions: it is quite fast and loose there. Not just in theaters, but public transportation as well. Thanks to my age and vaccination, I wasn't afraid of serious illness or death, but I was near paranoid about contracting and having to self-isolate and miss my flight home. I saw 18 shows and was only asked for proof of vaccination twice. Most theaters request face coverings in one way or another, but don't do much to enforce their policies. The West End theaters in particular were highly unmasked.

Among the shows I saw that will still be running in December, I highly recommend 2:22 A Ghost Story, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, and Back to the Future. 

I saw Stockard Channing in 'night, Mother and she was fantastic, but her partner was astonishingly weak. Sunk the whole evening, but perhaps she'll improve in that I only saw the second preview.

I wasn't too keen on Cinderella, but it does have one moment of stagecraft in particular that is absolutely thrilling. I doubt they will be able to recreate it in any other theater, should it transfer. If you have any interest, I recommend it for that alone.

Updated On: 11/1/21 at 02:17 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/28/21 at 2:21pm

“2:22” just announced they’re moving to the Gielgud in December with a new cast, and if you like horror/suspense then I’d highly recommend it.

[ren598]

Posted: 10/28/21 at 6:23pm

52889j said: "Was just in London for two weeks, got back last night.

I will also echo the notes on pandemic related safety precautions: it is quitefast and loose there. Not just in theaters, but public transportation as well. Thanks to my age and vaccination, I wasn't afraid of serious illness or death, but I was near paranoid about contracting and having to self-isolate and miss my flight home. I saw 18 shows and was only asked for proof of vaccination twice. Most theaters request face coverings in one way or another, but don't do much to enforce their policies. The West End theaters in particular were highly unmasked.

Of what will be running then that I saw, I highly recommend 2:22 A Ghost Story, The Ocean at the End of the Lane, and Back to the Future.

I saw Stockard Channing in 'night, Mother and she was fantastic, but her partner was astonishingly weak. Sunk the whole evening, but perhaps she'll improve in that I only saw the second preview.

I wasn't too keen on Cinderella, but it does have one moment of stagecraft in particular that is absolutely thrilling. I doubt they will be able to recreate it in any other theater, should it transfer. If you have any interest, I recommend it for that alone."

Any issues with your travel to London?  Just wondering if there’s required testing upon arrival and before departure, etc.  I’ve got an 8 day London trip planned for March 2022.  I know it’s still a ways off and things can change.  So far I’ve got my tickets for Cabaret, Cock and Henry V.  I would also like to catch Cinderella and Back to the Future while I’m there but they aren’t musts so I haven’t gotten tickets yet in case the situation with COVID gets worse and I have to call the whole thing off.

 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 10/28/21 at 6:37pm

re: testing, assuming you live in America. You are required to take a “Day 2 Test” which can now be a cheaper lateral flow test available at a lot of stores. You’ll need to upload the results to a website and then, assuming you’re vaccinated, you will need a PCR test 3 days before you leave to return to America.

Personally, I book all my tests through this website - https://doctap.co.uk/

[ren598]

Posted: 10/28/21 at 7:02pm

Jordan Catalano said: "re: testing, assuming you live in America. You are required to take a “Day 2 Test” which can now be a cheaper lateral flow test available at a lot of stores. You’ll need to upload the results to a website and then, assuming you’re vaccinated, you will need a PCR test 3 days before you leave to return to America.

Personally, I book all my tests through this website - https://doctap.co.uk/

"

Fully vaccinated and in Boston.  Thanks for the info.  I may use your website if testing is still required.  I’m hoping by March of next year all that testing won’t be necessary.   

[52889j]

Posted: 10/29/21 at 3:17pm

ren598 said: 


Any issues with your travel to London? Just wondering if there’s required testing upon arrival and before departure, etc. I’ve got an 8 day London trip planned for March 2022. I know it’s still a ways off and things can change. So far I’ve got my tickets for Cabaret, Cock and Henry V. I would also like to catch Cinderella and Back to the Future while I’m there but they aren’t musts so I haven’t gotten tickets yet in case the situation with COVID gets worse and I have to call the whole thing off.

 

Jordan covered it. The day 2 PCR test (for the UK) on arrival was painfully expensive but it can now be a lateral flow or antigen which is much cheaper. The departure test (for the USA) I took at Boots. It was £25, which is still not cheap (I can get one for free on any busy street corner in NYC), but it was quick and convenient. I also hope the testing requirements aren't necessary by March! And I wouldn't stress about booking anything else in advance. I had one show booked when I left (Macbeth) and never had a problem getting into anything else at the price point I wanted last minute.

Aside from the additional monetary cost of testing, the looseness of the safety precautions was the only other unpleasantry. I had a great time, but did have that constant subtle worry at the back of my head that I may be stuck for an additional ten days in isolation.

 

 

Updated On: 11/1/21 at 03:17 PM

[Mark_E]

Posted: 10/31/21 at 6:11am

Definitely try and catch 2:22 on its transfer to the Gielgud, very enjoyable show (they are doing 2 shows on Sundays this time around too).

I'll agree that 'Night Mother was an extremely disappointing production.

The Drifters Girl is fantastic - I saw it in Newcastle and think it will be a huge hit.

Disagree on Prince of Egypt, I thought it was a really great show. Add to that, &Juliet is well worth seeing.

[ggersten]

Posted: 10/31/21 at 9:19pm

Check out the UK message site: theatreboard.co.uk and the ever valuable theatremonkey.com site for seating recommendations, day seat information and discounts/deals.

[BroadwayRox3588]

Posted: 11/1/21 at 6:28am

OP asked for suggestions about what shows to see in London. Not for commentary about Covid.

Just saying.

Updated On: 11/1/21 at 06:28 AM

[Scott19]

Posted: 11/2/21 at 8:45pm

Thanks for the testing info, Jordan. Heading to London at the end of the month and was getting overwhelmed in doing testing research.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/2/21 at 8:58pm

My pleasure. Flying back in a few weeks also, so you kind of reminded me to mark my calendar to book the tests.

[steven22]

Posted: 11/2/21 at 9:25pm

I have tickets to Spring Awakening and 2:22. I think I can fit one more in and I'm leaning towards &Juliet. Anything else I should consider?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/2/21 at 10:52pm

“Juliet” is a whole lot of fun.

[steven22]

Posted: 11/3/21 at 9:02am

Thank you, Jordan!