Plays in London

As the home to some of history’s greatest playwrights, London knows how to put on a good show. Musicals have become big business in the West End, but other forms of theater are alive and thriving. Plays in London aren’t all stuffy Shakespeare retreads; thought-provoking work from the world’s best writers and irreverent silliness from astoundingly creative people fill up the stage throughout the city.

London plays can be divided into West End/Off West End, in the same manner of Broadway/Off Broadway in New York. West End theaters stage more big-budget productions featuring well-known thespians and playwrights you may have had to read in school. Here is where you can find Greek classics, Neil Simon, Eugene O’Neill, Anton Chekov, and, yes, Shakespeare. West End theaters also feature productions from lesser-known playwrights who have turned out top-notch work; some of these plays can be more experimental.

Off West End, theaters featuring fringe work allow up-and-coming playwrights to push boundaries. You may see puppets, naked men singing cabaret…oh, and plenty of Shakespeare. Some of these smaller theaters produce the more mainstream works that would be at home on the West End, so those with allergies to artistic tomfoolery can still see theater off the main thoroughfares.