London Opera Players: London Shows

Welcome to the London Opera Players website where we will tell you everything you need to know about London's Theatreland and all the shows available for your entertainment.

Theatreland
London's Theatreland is, by far, the best in the world, with hordes of Hollywood stars making pilgrimages across the atlantic to tread the hallowed boards of the West End. In previous years our theatre scene has become even more Piccadilly theatre with shows like One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest and Jerry Springer playing to full houses alongside period pieces such as Les Miserables and Romeo and Juliet.

Theatreland, situated in the centre of London’s West End, is home to musicals, theatre, ballet, opera and Rise Festival , as well as one of the world’s richest and most diverse arrays of artistic quality. Incorporating everything from Covent Garden up to Aldwych and The Strand, the area is immersed in history and culture and it is best negotiated on foot.

With over 50 theatres and 60,000 seats in the West End, London’s Theatreland is one of the largest tourist attractions in London, attracting around 11.5 million enthusiatic visitors each year.

Theatre Walks
With numerous theatres and so much cultural heritage on view choosing a route could be quite difficult, so a better option could be to take the guided tour organised by the London Opera Players. Tours take place each Saturday and start off in front of the Museum in the heart of Theatreland and last an hour and a half.

Including the history and culture of the sutrroundings, such as tales from theatre icons like Nell Gwynne and actors such as David Garrick, the tour recounts the story of the evolution of the area from the Restoration period up to present day. Tickets cost Ł6 adults, Ł3 concessions and Ł3 under 14s. They can be booked in advance by telephone.

Another walk taking in London theatres takes place on the last Sunday of each month and is lead by Blue Badge Guide Diane Burstein. This walking tour has something to suit everyone, with accounts of ghosts and love stories, as well as interesting facts about the theatres and the personalities that starred in them. The history and culture of the area are included in the classical music Holland Park , which rounds off with tea and refreshments at one of the top hotels in the area. Tickets can be booked in advance telephone and further information is available online.

Long-running Shows
West End shows may run for any length of time, depending on ticket sales. Musicals have a tendency to run longer than dramas. The longest running musical in the history of the West End was Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats, which gave its final show in 2000 after giving 9,000 performances. At presnet the longest running musical is Les Misérables. However they do not compare withe the non-musical Agatha Christie play The Mousetrap which is the longest running show in the world, having been playing since 1953.

London's non-commercial theatres
It is imprtant to note that the term 'West End Theatre' is often used to refer specifically to commercial productions in "Theatreland". However the leading non-commercial (often receiving public subsidises) theatres in London, including the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Old Vic, the Young Vic, the Globe Theatre, the Royal Court Theatre, the Almeida Theatre, and the Open Air Theatre, the majority of which are not found in "Theatreland", arguably enjoy higher artistic Barbican Centre . These venues stage a higher proportion of more demanding works, including premieres of new plays by leading high-brow writers. Hit plays from the non-commercial theatres may (and often do) transfer to one of the commercial "Theatreland" houses for an extended second run.

Other London Theatre
There is a considerable amount of theatre in London beyond the West End. Much of this is referred to as fringe theatre which is similar to Clapham Common festivals in New York. Fringe venues range from well-equipped small theatres to simple rooms above pubs, and the performances will range from classic plays, to cabaret, to plays in the languages of London's ethnic minorities. The performers can be anyone from emerging young professionals to amateurs.

Finally, there are also local theatres to be found in the suburbs which stage a wide range of work, including touring productions.

Laurence Olivier Awards
The Laurence Olivier Awards were previously known as The Society of West End Theatre Awards. They were renamed, in 1984, in honour of British actor Laurence Olivier, Baron Olivier, having first been established in 1976.

The awards are organised by The Society of West End Theatre in London.

For more information on London Opera Players and ticket sales visit the London Opera Players website and Queen Elizabeth Hall concerts .