London Theater

Ah, "theatre" in London. While in London, many people choose to see a show because the city is renowned for its cheap theater. Tickets for big musicals on the West End go for as cheap as £25 the day of, which is pittance compared to the $100 tickets sold on Broadway, the American equivalent. On the West End, the main theater district, you’ll find the bigger musicals that are produced in only one theater. For instance, Phantom of the Opera is entering its 25th year at Her Majesty’s Theatre. Other theaters in the area and throughout London put on more cutting-edge or intellectual plays. Many pubs have live performance spaces in the back where theater groups rehearse and perform for an audience that, thanks to a few pints, always finds the second act more confusing than the first. Also, many churches, such as St. Paul’s in Covent Garden, put on summer theater, and there are ways to get your culture for free. Always check discount prices against the theater itself. Only buy discounted tickets from booths with a circle and check mark symbol that says STAR on it. This stands for the Society of Tickets Agents and Retailers, and it vouches for the legitimacy of a discount booth.

Royal Court Theatre Sloane Sq. (020 7565 5000; www.royalcourttheatre.com) Famous for pushing the theater envelope, the Royal Court is the antidote to all the orchestral swoons and faux-opera sweeping through the West End. The Royal Court's 1956 production of John Osborne's Look Back in Anger (not to be confused with the Oasis song of a similar title) was largely credited with launching Modern British drama. Royal is known as a writers' theater, purveying high-minded works of great drama for audiences that will appreciate them. Sloane Square. Tickets M £10, Tu-Sa £12.18-25. Student discounts available on day of performance, preview and Sa matinees. Open M-F 10am-6pm or until the doors open, Sa open 10am-curtain on performance days. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.

The National Theatre, Belvedere Rd. (020 7452 3400; www.nationaltheatre.org.uk">www.nationaltheatre.org.uk'>www.nationaltheatre.org.uk) Opened in 1976 by appointment of the monarchy, the National Theatre shows great new and classic British drama on its three stages, of which the Olivier is largest. It also revives lost classics from around the world. Special Travelex shows mean half the seats are available for £10 only. Waterloo. Right onto York Rd. then left onto Waterloo Rd. Tickets £10-44. Box office open M-Sa 9:30am-8pm, Su noon-6pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.

The Old Vic, The Cut ( 084 4871 7628; www.oldvictheatre.com ) This famous theater was built in 1818 and has hosted the likes of Laurence Olivier. Though dealing in a huge range of styles, the Old Vic is predominantly a traditional theater showing the classics. Fans of Kevin Spacey will want to visit now, since he is the theater's current artistic director. Southwark. Right onto The Cut. Tickets £10-47. Open M-Sa on non-show days 10am-7pm, on show days 10am-6pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.

The Young Vic 66 The Cut ( 020 7922 2922; ">www.youngvic.org'> www.youngvic.org) Formerly the studio space for the Old Vic, the Young Vic puts on a variety of shows, most of which are edgier, more exciting, and newer than the more traditional Old Vic down the road. They frequently do reinterpretations of classic works as well as newer stuff. The three spaces in the theater allow for great versatility, with one main house and two studio spaces. Southwark. Right onto The Cut. Tickets £10-22. Open M-Sa 10am-6pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.

Donmar Warehouse, 41 Earlham St. (084 4871 7624; www.donmarwarehouse.com) The warehouse puts on everything from Shakespeare to contemporary works, occasionally by little known artists. Though it is a mainstream theater, it rotates in new plays once every two months. The space has a studio feel, with cushioned red benches facing the stage. Covent Garden. Turn right onto Long Acre, left on Endell St., left onto Shelton St., right onto Neal St., and then left on Earlham St. Tickets £15-29, students £12 tickets 30min. before the show if it's not sold out. Ticket office open M-Sa 10am-showtime. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.

Shakespeare's Globe, 21 New Globe Walk (020 7401 9919; www.shakespeares-globe.org) Though the original Globe theater burnt down in 1613 during a performance of Henry VIII, this accurate reconstruction was opened in 1997. Much like the original Globe, it has an open roof and standing area for the "groundlings." Steeped in historical and artistic tradition, the theater stages Shakespeare as well as two new plays a year. Southwark. Left onto Blackfriars Rd., right onto Southwark St., left onto Great Guildford, right onto Park St., left onto Emerson St. Standing £5, seats £35. Box office open M-Sa 10am8pm, Su 10am-7pm. Telephone open M-Sa 10am-6pm, Su 10am-5pm.

Battersea Art Center 176 Lavender Hill, Old Town Hall (020 7223 2223; www.bac.org.uk) Located in the old Clapham Town Hall, the Battersea Art Center is automatically a strange theater experience. Throw in the BAC's reputation for hosting young producers, new companies, and some of the most cutting-edge and bizarre theater when deemed too young to be "on the scene," and you have a night of some wild shows ahead of you. The BAC boasts 72 rooms that host everything from closets to more traditional spaces. In a famous performance at the BAC, an Italian theater company put on a show where the audience had to pretend to be dogs. This resulted in audience members rolling around on wheel trays with oven mitts on their hands and eating scraps off a table while tennis balls were thrown at them. One of the best parts about the BAC is the SCRATCH program, in which artists show a work in development and get feedback from the audience. This famous program only cements the BAC's status as a hip, young, unconventional theater. Clapham Common. Take bus #345 from just outside headed toward South Kensington and it will let you out nearby on Lavender Hill. Min. £10 at the bar. Under 26-ers should also note that the BAC is part of "A Night Less Ordinary." Ticket prices vary. Pints £3.20. Check the website for details, and look out for the occasional "pay what you can Tuesday!" Box office open M-F 10am-6pm, Sa 3-6pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access. Has internet.

The Bush Theatre, Shepherd's Bush Green (020 8743 5050; www.bushtheatre.co.uk ) Located on the edge of Shepherd's Bush Green in an old building, The Bush Theatre's repertoire is in stark contrast to its old London surroundings. Presenting new writing in its unique, intimate theater space, which rarely looks the same between two shows, The Bush is the place to come for some of the most forward-thinking theater in London. Shepherd’s Bush. Turn right down Shepherd’s Bush Green. Tickets £20, concessions are £10. Matinees £15/7.50. The Bush is part of "A Night Less Ordinary." Box office open M-Sa on non-show days 10am-6pm, on show days noon-8pm. Shows are normally M-Sa 7:30pm. Sa matinees 2:30pm. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access.

Hackney Empire, 291 Mare St. (020 8985 2424; www.hackneyempire.co.uk) With great, bold sandstone letters announcing its presence on an otherwise normal block, the Hackney Empire looks just as an old variety theater that once showcased the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Harry Houdini should. All faded grandeur and vaudeville-esque decor, the Hackney puts on everything from comedy gigs to productions from the Royal Shakespeare Company. Take the overline to Hackney Central (in East London). Left onto Graham Rd., right onto Mare St. Tickets £10-22.50, student discount £2 off. Box office open M-Sa 10am-6pm, show days M-Su 10am-9:30pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.

Open-Air Theatre, Regent's Park (084 4826 4242; www.openairtheatre.com) Housed inside the beautiful Regent's Park, the Open-Air Theatre puts on a variety of shows best enjoyed in the warm summer months. After the show, take a stroll around the park and enjoy observing the less-dramatic lives of the herons who reside therein. Regent's Park. Tickets M-Th evening £10-43, F-Sa £19-46. Standby £15 for best available. Telephone box office open M-Sa 10am-6pm. Wheelchair access.

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