London Theatre Guide: The Top Venues for an Unmissable Show

London is one of the world’s best destinations for theatre lovers, thanks to its illustrious tradition of stagecraft and renowned subsidised institutions. If you're planning a trip to see hit musicals and big stars on stage, you'll find many of the major theatres clustered in the West End. Adventurous theatre-goers might want to time their visit with a festival such as summer’s Camden Fringe. Oh, and London theatres don't have dress codes – you can wear jeans, though you might feel out of place at the fancier places. 

The majority of venues in London's Theatreland lie between Haymarket, Drury Lane, The Strand and Shaftesbury Avenue. The latter is the most famous theatre street in London, featuring no fewer than six houses. Here, the Sondheim Theatre has been home to the musical Les Misérables since 1985. Other long-running shows with great reviews include the Royal Shakespeare Company's Matilda The Musical at the Cambridge Theatre and Broadway export Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre. Tickets for hit West End shows can cost well over £100 for top seats, but if you don't have your heart set on one play in particular, you can score same-day discounted theatre tickets at the TKTS booth in Leicester Square, or online. The Stagedoor London theatre guide app is a handy source of info on what's playing where. 

To make your night out at the theatre even easier, book accommodation in the heart of the action. For an unforgettable experience, choose iconic grande dame The Savoy next to the historic theatre of the same name. Both were established by impresario Richard D'Oyly Carte, famous for staging the work of Gilbert and Sullivan.

• South Bank, SE1
• Tickets: ££-£££
• Transport: Bakerloo, Jubilee or Northern line tube to Waterloo

Built in the 1970s, the brutalist concrete structure dominates the South Bank and houses three theatres. The publicly funded National Theatre is known for challenging, boundary-pushing work, from the audacious Jerry Springer: The Opera to the international award-winning War Horse. Several bars and eateries include The Understudy, serving London-brewed craft beer and food from street vendor KERB.

• The Cut, SE1
• Tickets: £-£££
• Transport: Bakerloo, Jubilee or Northern line tube to Waterloo

Some of Britain’s most iconic actors, such as Judi Dench and Maggie Smith, honed their craft at this venerable institution, which served as the venue for the National Theatre for more than a decade from the early '60s. Founded in 1818 as the Royal Coburg Theatre, the Old Vic is known for its innovative productions of Shakespeare and other classics as well as its new shows.

• 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1
• Tickets: £-££
• Transport: Northern line tube to London Bridge

There are two ways to experience Shakespeare’s Globe, director Sam Wanamaker’s recreation of the Tudor theatre that once stood near this site: see one of the acclaimed Shakespeare productions or be regaled by colourful tales on a guided tour. While those seated in the gallery of the open-air theatre are protected from the elements by a thatched roof, groundlings standing in the open yard must be prepared for the unpredictable British weather.

• Lyric Square, King Street, W6
• Tickets: £-££
• Transport: Circle or Hammersmith & City line tube to Hammersmith

This plucky West London survivor has had a rocky past. After postwar success with cutting-edge plays by the likes of Brook and Pinter, the Lyric Hammersmith was saved from destruction in the 1970s after a public outcry. Since then, it has gone from strength to strength, presenting everything from reinvigorated classics to family fare. The theatre has been a venue for panto since it opened in the late 19th century.

• Sloane Square, SW1
• Tickets: £-££
• Transport: Circle or District line tube to Sloane Square

New plays have been the focus of this storied London theatre since the 1950s, when it premiered John Osborne’s seminal kitchen sink drama Look Back in Anger. Home to the English Stage Company, the Royal Court continues to produce boundary-pushing work, and hosts several writers’ workshops and fellowships for emerging talent. Browse the on-site Samuel French bookshop, or peek behind the curtain on a backstage tour.

• 41 Earlham Street, WC2
• Tickets: ££
• Transport: Piccadilly line tube to Covent Garden

The Donmar Warehouse breathed new life into the London theatre scene when Sam Mendes was appointed artistic director in the early 1990s. The theatre has presented new British and international plays and thrilling reinterpretations of classics such as a gritty, immersive Cabaret. More recently, the former brewery warehouse has staged high-profile premieres, such as Frost/Nixon, which transferred to both the West End and Broadway.

• Almeida Street, N1
• Tickets: ££
• Transport: Northern line tube to Angel or Victoria line tube to Highbury & Islington

Some of British theatre’s biggest names, such as Lesley Manville, Ralph Fiennes and Jonathan Pryce, have thrilled audiences at the Almeida Theatre, housed in a one-time Salvation Army hall. Take a guided tour to learn more about the history of the stately white stucco building, which has provided a stage for exciting new work and fresh interpretations of classic plays since 1980.

• Southwark Playhouse Borough: 77-85 Newington Causeway, SE1
• Southwark Playhouse Elephant: Dante Place, 80 Newington Butts, SE11 
• Tickets: £-££
• Transport: Bakerloo or Northern line tube to Elephant & Castle

An acclaimed fringe stalwart, the Southwark Playhouse has been around the block – literally, it’s had to move several times – and now operates two theatres in the area. Plans are afoot for further expansion. Expect a vibrant mix of new shows, including musicals, and reinvigorated old favourites.

• 66 The Cut, Waterloo, SE1
• Tickets: £-££
• Transport: Bakerloo, Jubilee or Northern line tube to Waterloo

Originally an affordable spin-off of the Old Vic for a youthful crowd, the Young Vic is now an independent London theatre guided by its commitment to championing diverse voices and fearless expression. A modern expansion resulted in three performance spaces plus a buzzing bar and restaurant.

• The Regent's Park, Inner Circle, NW1
• Tickets: ££
• Transport: Bakerloo, Circle or Hammersmith & City line tube to Baker Street

An outdoor amphitheatre in a city known for its unpredictable weather? Yes! It’s worth the risk to experience the magic of attending a show in one of London’s most beautiful parks. The Bard figures prominently in the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre's programming, but musicals are also popular. Dining options include a luxury hamper with gourmet nibbles and champagne at a reserved picnic table.