Like Broadway, the London theater scene has typically been associated with large-scale musicals and star-studded productions. However, with tickets often costing hundreds of pounds, many tourists and UK theater lovers have begun looking for alternatives.
Soaring Ticket Prices
Seeing a West End show has never been a budget-friendly form of entertainment, but prices of late have soared exponentially. This is particularly true of the plays and musicals featuring famous faces.
When Cara Delevigne recently joined the cast of Cabaret for example, ticket prices soared to upwards of £300 per ticket, while Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker’s performances in Plaza Suite at London’s Savoy Theatre saw tickets sell for just under £400.
Even without the celebrity line-up, tickets for West End musicals such as The Lion King or Wicked have seen a 21% price hike since 2019 and it is unlikely a family of four would be able to purchase tickets for less than £200.
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Celebrities Speak Out
While it is often famous faces that push up the price of ticket sales, many celebrities have also been speaking out against the unaffordability of the current London Theatre scene.
David Tennant has recently called for greater government financial aid for theaters in a bid to make the art form more accessible following what he has referred to as the rise of “ludicrous” ticket prices. Dominic West has chosen to perform in smaller venues outside of the capital in a stand against ticket prices which West describes as “going crazy.”
There is no doubt that tickets for star-studded, large-scale productions in the West End venues are unobtainable for many. But there are other options available for those wanting to experience the joy of theater without having to pay hundreds of pounds to do so.
Here are some of London’s best theaters, offering world-class performances without the extortionate price tag
1. The National Theatre
The rather imposing brutalist architecture of the National Theatre has become an iconic feature of London’s South Bank Theatre since its opening in 1963.
The theater comprises three auditoriums; the Olivier, Lyttelton, and Dorfman, and has garnered a name for its diverse range of performances. Whether it is a modernized Greek tragedy, an avant-garde physical theater piece, or a traditional kitchen sink drama, its repertoire is certainly extensive.
The theater has produced some huge original productions and some have transferred to the West End and beyond such as War Horse and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time as well as some notable revivals such as Angels in America and Arthur Miller’s A View From a Bridge.
The National does sometimes lean toward the star-studded cast route meaning tickets are not always affordable but this certainly is not the case for all productions. The theater also offers heavily discounted tickets for its younger audience members, as well as numerous cost-cutting initiatives such as The Friday Rush whereby a limited number of £10 tickets are released.
2. The Royal Court
Nestled in the heart of London’s chic and fashionable Sloane Square is the Royal Court. Despite its incredibly contemporary vibes, the theater dates back to 1870 and since its opening has remained an emblem of artistic innovation and creativity.
The ambiance of the theater is achingly cool, the performance spaces are intimate, and the plays reflect multi-faceted and diverse human experiences. The real joy of the Court is its ability to push boundaries without alienating its audiences.
The Court’s most famous legacy perhaps lies with the 1956 production of John Osborne’s Look Back In Anger which heralded the “angry young men” movement in British theater. The play’s raw emotion and social commentary marked a significant move away from traditional British theater and has since paved the way for new and alternative voices to take to the stage.
There is a real focus on new work at the Royal Court. Tickets remain affordable, coming in under the £25 mark for most performances.
3. Shakespeare’s Globe
Also situated on the Southbank, the Globe is a true-to-history reconstruction of an Elizabethan playhouse. The original Globe was constructed in the Shoreditch area of London but was dismantled and rebuilt on the Southbank in 1599. The theater was closed down in 1642 under Puritan Law and the reconstruction which exists today was built in 1997.
The theater is a hub for Elizabethan and Jacobean plays. Many stay true to the traditional theatrical landscape of Shakespeare’s time but it’s also possible to see some truly inventive reimaginings or adaptations of his work.
In addition to watching the plays, The Globe offers myriad tours, talks, and presentations of the life of Shakespeare and the world of Elizabethan theatre.
4. The Lyric Hammersmith
The Lyric first opened its doors as an opera house in 1895. While it is still possible to catch the odd musical, the theater has since gone on to develop into an innovative space, showcasing a vast array of contemporary theatrical productions.
The theater has a strong reputation for producing vibrant and socially relevant work from both emerging talents and established playwrights spanning a wide range of genres.
A 2019 production of A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen, directed by Rachel O’Riordan garnered particular critical acclaim. Ghost Stories by Jeremy Dyson & Andy Nyman, which also originated at the Lyric, gained a West End transfer before being adapted into a film
The Lyric is also home to the “Little Lyric” program, a series of incredibly charming productions to engage the littlest of theater-goers.
5. Finborough Theatre
Located above a pub in Earl’s Court, the Finborough is often lauded as one of the most influential fringe theaters in the world. The award-winning studio has gained a reputation for launching the careers of many exciting new playwrights such as James Graham and Lucy Prebble. Despite remaining completely unfunded the theater continues to produce some groundbreaking work, which regularly transfers to the West End and beyond.
The theater focuses on both text-based new writing and forgotten works of classical literature from the 19th and 20th centuries, making it a great choice for those looking for something a little more thought-provoking.
6. Hampstead Theatre
Since its founding in 1959, the Hampstead Theatre has played a pivotal role in platforming bold and innovative productions. Originally located above a pub, the Hampstead Theatre moved to a purpose-built venue in 2003 comprising two modern spaces, the Main Space and the smaller studio-style, Downstairs Space. This allows the theater to present a combination of both large-scale productions and more intimate and experimental performances.
The theater has a fascinating history with Harold Pinter testing out his early plays at the venue. The likes of Mike Leigh, Michael Frayn, and Terry Johnson have all premiered at the Hampstead.
Since these early days, the theater has continued to produce a plethora of award-winning plays and hosted some of the world’s finest actors including Jude Law, John Malkovich, and Maxine Peake.
Despite its incredible history and sometimes star-studded plays tickets are often far more affordable than many of the larger West End venues.
7. The Unicorn Theatre
As has already been established, taking the family to a West End Musical can cost hundreds of pounds. These productions often have complex storylines and are often upward of two hours long; not ideal for the average elementary school child!
The Unicorn Theatre is the largest children’s theater in the UK and is entirely dedicated to producing work for young audiences. The theater was founded in 1947 and prides itself on creating accessible and enjoyable performances allowing children and their families to explore the world around them and spark their imagination. Programming consists of a wide range of genres and styles, including puppetry, interactive plays, and adaptations of classic children’s literature.
With tickets costing just a fraction of those for the West End Musicals, a performance at the Unicorn is the ideal place for the first trip to the theatre.
8. Soho Theatre
The Soho Theatre is an incredibly ambitious venue, renowned for its eclectic programming. Established in 1969, the theater has a history of showcasing some groundbreaking work across a range of genres including comedy, drama, and physical theater.
In addition to its theatrical performances the Soho also hosts a variety of live music performances, comedy sets, and spoken word events, making it an ideal venue for those who like theater that edges away from the mainstream!
9. Trafalgar Theatre
Formerly known as Trafalgar Studios, the Trafalgar Theatre has benefited from a multi-million-pound restoration project which has made for an incredibly exciting state-of-the-art space. The theater previously comprised two smaller studio spaces but the renovation work has involved turning the two studios into one large auditorium.
The theater opened with a crowd-pleasing revival of Jersey Boys. However, while the theater dabbles in the West-End mainstream there remains a focus on producing challenging and innovative productions.
10. The Bush Theatre
The Bush Theatre, located in Shepherd’s Bush is another theater with a strong reputation for showcasing new writing and supporting emerging playwrights. The theater has nurtured the talents of writers such as Simon Stephens and Jack Thorne as well as launched the careers of many famous actors, such as Alan Rickman, Andrew Scott, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge
The theater itself has undergone much redevelopment and is renowned for its intimate atmosphere creating immersive and intimate performances. The Bush is committed to raising often unheard voices and as a result, plays are refreshingly modern and ambitious.
