London Shows: Les Miserables, Mousetrap and The Lion King

London’s main theater district in the West End of the city is the largest theater district in the world. "West End Theatre" is the term used to describe professional theater in the city. This area houses about forty theatres, the heart of which is referred to as "Theatreland."
 
Theatreland is bordered by the Strand to the south, Oxford Street to the north, Regent Street to the west and Kingsway to the east.
 
Current London shows include Avenue Q, Chicago and Hairspray. 

West End History

The first West End theatre opened in 1663. Theatre manager David Garrick dominated theatre throughout the 18th century and is remembered for his long-standing impact on the West End. The West End continued to grow in the 19th century when theatre-going became more popular in London. New West End theatres continued to be built into the next century. Most of the theatres are built in the late Victorian or Edwardian architectural style.
Two types of theaters that exist in London's West End include:
  • fringe theaters: Most of the theaters outside the West End are fringe theaters that feature productions in smaller theatres or venues. Fringe theaters are similar to Off-Broadway shows in New York City.

  • non-commercial theaters: Non-commercial theaters are typically government subsidized and include famous venues such as the Globe Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre. These venues usually feature classic plays that are more demanding for the actors. Shakespeare plays are frequently performed at non-commercial theatres. 

London Show Tickets

Tickets for London theatre shows can vary between £10-£50, depending on the show’s popularity and your seat selection. Schedules also vary by show and can be found online or by calling or visiting the theatre box office.
You can get tickets to London shows by going to:
  • theater box offices: You can generally purchase tickets at the box office up until 30 minutes before the show. There is usually no fee when you buy them in person. However, you may be charged a small fee when you buy tickets through the box office over the phone.

  • ticket agencies: You can purchase London show tickets from a number of ticket agencies throughout the city. Make sure to research which agencies are reputable. Expect a booking fee, which is generally no more than 25 percent of the ticket’s face value. 

     
  • TKTS Booth: The TKTS booth in Leicester Square is your best bet if you want to buy discount tickets on the day of a show and aren’t picky about where you want to sit. Most of the tickets are half the price of a face value ticket. There are not always tickets for every show, but the booth offers a wide selection. TKTS is the only official booth in London, so be weary of imitations.
You can also see popular London shows by using theater tokens, which are gift vouchers that can be used for tickets at many of London’s West End theatres.

Popular, Long-Running London Shows

The Mousetrap, which was first shown in 1952, is the longest running show in the world. Les Misérables is the longest running musical in London. Other long-running shows in London include Cats, The Lion King and The Phantom of the Opera.
 
Resource
 
Society of London Theatre (n.d.). Official London Theatre Guide. Retrieved March 12, 2008, from the Society Of London Theatre Web site.