Review: West End Theatreland

Big picture: What’s the vibe of the place, what’s it like? London's Theatreland cuts across a swathe of the West End of the city in Covent Garden, Soho, and Picadilly. Like New York City's Broadway, the capital's plays, musicals, and fringe theatre are its lifeblood, entertaining thousands and providing a living for many hundreds more. With as many aging theaters as there are state-of-the-art venues, keeping them going requires audiences and shows. And there's always a fabulous selection on offer.

What kinds of events can we see here? From Shakespeare to contemporary comedies and dramas, as well as countless famous musicals of old and many new, London's West End has it all. Who doesn't want to feel the infectious glee of musical theatre choreography and the sweating happiness of curtain calls. Even the buying of ice cream at intermission. From big shows like Hamilton to touring hits, if you haven’t booked ahead, it’s always worth taking a chance on some last minute tickets.

How are the seats? It's inarguable that many London theaters, especially the older ones, are cramped and without much leg room, especially in the cheap seats. Pay more and you'll certainly have a better time. But that's almost always true of a theater experience.

Good for kids? Kids love live entertainment, with the mix of joyful original tunes and magically colorful set design, they’ll often be happy whatever the story. Although there’s often specifically kid-focussed shows that pop up each summer and Christmas.