West End Legends we want on Broadway

Yes to all of those. I also would give anything to see Anthony Hopkins on the stage.

Whoever the closest British/West End equivalent to Nathan Lane is.

I agree with all of the ones mentioned. Of course "legend" is a subjective term, but here are some well-known British stage-actors (or, actors who have worked on the stage), whom I'd like to see do more work on Broadway:

-Simon Russell Beale

-David Tennant

-Ralph Fiennes

-Fiona Shaw

-Derek Jacobi

-Adrian Lester

-Ian Holm (is he still performing?)

-Rory Kinnear

-Jenna Russell

-Catherine Tate

-Billie Piper (I just saw her in Yerma and it was a performance for the ages!)

-Benedict Cumberbatch

-Tom Hiddleston

-David Suchet

Wish Judi Dench would return, although I know it's a long shot at best....

Sadly, Michael Gambon, Maggie Smith, Anthony Hopkins, and Joan Plowright have all retired from stage work. Hopkins mainly because he dislikes the stage, apparently.

I know some of these have appeared on Broadway relatively recently, but my wishlist: Judi Dench, Vanessa Redgrave, Helen Mirren, Eileen Atkins, Diana Rigg, Penelope Wilton, Harriet Walter, Julie Walters, Derek Jacobi, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Albert Finney, Ian Holm, Lesley Manville, Fiona Shaw, Simon Russell Beale, Imelda Staunton, Kristin Scott Thomas, Juliet Stevenson, Clare Higgins, Lindsay Duncan, Zoe Wanamaker, Anne-Marie Duff, Rory Kinnear, Helen McCrory, Antony Sher, and the incomparable Mark Rylance.

Had the great privilege of seeing Jonathan Pryce in Merchant earlier this year, and will see Janet McTeer in Liaisons, so that'll be two struck from the list.

Imelda mothereffing Staunton in Sweeney Todd.

Billie Piper, Rory Kinnear

John Barrowman in a musical please.

Also, although not yet a legend, Charlie Stemp 'cause he was so adorable in Dolly.

I have a different perspective, although I think it's ALWAYS great when actors cross the pond, in either direction, to share their talents...

My feeling is that if you want to experience the incredible work of any of these amazing actors, see them in London, on any off the West End stages.

For what it costs to fly and book accommodation in NYC, I found that spending a comparable amount to fly/stay in London was incredibly well worth it because London is an AMAZING city.

I went several years (ummm.. a couple of decades, really) ago and would LOVE to go back again. I went in November, and London was decking itself out for Christmas. It was the absolute best week I have ever spent.

So, yup... It will always be great when UK talent comes here, but based on what it costs to travel and stay in NYC, I believe money is better spent to get the "two-'fer" of both the talent AND the city.

JBroadway said: "But I imagine for most people, a plane ticket to NY is a lot more manageable financially than a plane ticket to London. And if you live in NY already - as many of us do - it’s obviously no comparison as to which is easier (not that we have anything to complain about, having such easy access to NYC theatre)."

Yup, if someone lives in, or near NYC, it's definitely much more affordable than flying to London.

I was very surprised at how much more affordable it was for me to go to London for an entire week than it was for me to vacation for a single weekend in the US (I looked at Hawaii and Alaska at that time). Also, theater (theatRE?) ticket prices in London were much more affordable than in NYC. ...but it has been a couple of decades since I went, so I don't know how the affordability may have changed.

Also, what I found attractive about going to London went beyond the West End. The architecture, the museums, the pubs... even dumb little things like the kinds of food items you can find in grocery stores that aren't available in the States (I really miss the gingerbread cookies I bought there - wish I could remember the brand name!) OH... and there was a chocolate wine that they only sold at Christmastime that I REALLY loved (not to everyone's tastes, but I wish I could find it, here).

I'm glad that you miss, and enjoy London as much as I do!

Updated On: 10/19/18 at 11:39 AM