England’s capital city beckons travellers with its vast array of awe-inspiring attractions. London’s countless architectural wonders, cultural institutions, and rich history make the city a popular destination. 

Whether you are building an itinerary for a one-day trip to London Town or are fortunate enough to embark on a longer excursion, there’s plenty to do. We have curated a list of London’s top attractions to make for lasting travel memories. Stroll through the city’s many pristine parks,...

Top attractions in London

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Read our guide to London's top attractions to get tickets to, from Buckingham Palace to the London Tower, Wembley Stadium to Kew Gardens, and more.

Pop the champagne because *The Great Gatsby* is coming to the West End! The new Tony Award-winning musical, which opened on Broadway in April 2024, will arrive at the London Coliseum on 11 April 2025, running until 7 September.

An adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel, *The Great Gatsby* follows mysterious millionaire, Jay Gatsby, who hosts decadent parties but pines for his former flame Daisy Buchanan. The novel was adapted for the screen in 2013 by Baz Luhrmann, starring Leonardo...

'The Great Gatsby' musical to transfer to the London Coliseum 

1200 LT The cast of The Great Gatsby (c) Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

The new musical opened at The Broadway Theatre in April 2024, following a world premiere at Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey in late 2023. 

Help is on the way, dears! Everyone’s favourite Scottish nanny – first inhabited in the 1993 comedy film by Robin Williams, playing a divorced dad who disguises himself as Mrs Doubtfire so he can see his children – is now a West End star.

The inventive, heartfelt and raucously funny stage musical adaptation has become a new audience favourite, packed with gags, big musical numbers, and a touching reflection on how family can come in different forms, as long as there is love.

As you prepare for...

Make a day out of 'Mrs Doubtfire' in London

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Make your family visit to West End musical comedy *Mrs Doubtfire* a sure-fire hit by adding even more fun activities to your London trip.

Further casting has been announced for the Brie Larson-led production of Sophocles’s [*Elektra*,](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/42608-elektra) which begins performances at the Duke of York’s Theatre in the West End on 24 January, 2025.

Larson, who is making her West End debut, will be joined by Stockard Channing (*The West Wing, The Good Wife*), Marième Diouf (*Romeo and Juliet*), Greg Hicks (*Grapes of Wrath, Coriolanus*), and Patrick Vaill ([*Stranger Things: The First...

Further casting revealed for Brie Larson-led 'Elektra' in the West End

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Stockard Channing, Marième Diouf, Greg Hicks, and Patrick Vaill will join Brie Larson in Anne Carson's translation of Sophocles's great tragedy.

The full cast has been announced for William Shakespeare's *A Midsummer Night’s Dream*, which opens at the Barbican in London on 3 December, running until 18 January, 2025.

Joining Mathew Baynton (*Ghosts, Wonka*) as Bottom, is Andrew Richardson (*Guys and Dolls*) as Oberon/Theseus and Katherine Pearce (*Waterloo Road*), who returns to the RSC as Puck.

New company members also include Alexander Bellinfantie (Moth), Eliza Smith (Mustardseed), and Natalie Thomas (Peaseblossom).

They join...

'A Midsummer Night's Dream' announces full cast at the Barbican

midsummer nights dream cast 1200 LT

Joining Mathew Baynton as Bottom, is Andrew Richardson as Oberon/Theseus and Katherine Pearce as Puck. Eleanor Rhode directs Shakespeare's play about love, magic, appearance, and jealousy.

Lead casting has been announced for new musical *Hercules*, which opens in the West End next summer. Performances will begin at Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 6 June, 2025.

Luke Brady will play the title role in the musical next year. His stage credits include *As You Like It* (RSC), *SuperYou* (Lyric Theatre), *Assassins* (Chichester Theatre), *The Prince of Egypt* (Dominion Theatre), *Twelfth Night, The Merchant of Venice,* and *The Taming of the Shrew* (Shakespeare’s Globe), while on screen he...

'Hercules' reveals lead casting in the West End

1200 LT Luke Brady to play Hercules in Disney-s Hercules - Photo by Phil Hill © Disney

*Hercules* has music by Alan Menken and lyrics by David Zippel, and a new book by Robert Horn and Young Vic outgoing artistic director Kwame Kwei-Armah.

There’s no better way to escape those dark winter nights than with a trip to the theatre. Happily, November is serving up plenty of exciting London shows to keep any winter blues at bay, with some major openings in the West End and beyond. 

Those who can't wait for *The Greatest Showman* musical to arrive in London can whet their appetities with [*Come Alive!*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/37379-come-alive), a spectacular circus show based on the music of the hit 2017 film, with an...

Top theatre to see in London in November

1200 LT Álvaro Morte & Lily Collins - Barcelona - The Duke of York-s Theatre - Photo Credit Marc Brenner .1

West End

Find out the best shows to see in London in November 2024, from *Barcelona* with Lily Collins and Álvaro Morte, to *Dr. Strangelove* with Steve Coogan.

Additional shows have been announced in the Bush Theatre's line-up for 2025, including a new play starring Olivier Award nominee and *It's a Sin* actor Omari Douglas.

He has been cast in Coral Wylie's new play *Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew*, which follows 19-year-old Pip as they dig into their family's past, unearthing old secrets. Directed by Debbie Hannan (Overflow), the cast also includes Wil Johnson, Pooky Quesnel, and writer Wylie. The show will run from 8 February to 22 March.

Making...

Bush Theatre announces new shows in 2025 season

1200 LT Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew

Work by Coral Wylie, babirye bukilwa, and Mohamed-Zain Dada will continue the Bush Theatre's programming in 2025, with Olivier Award nominee Omari Douglas returning to the stage.

New play *The Last Laugh* will run at the Noël Coward Theatre in the West End from 25 February to 22 March next year, ahead of a season in New York and a UK tour. 

Written and directed by Paul Hendy, the show re-imagines the lives of three of Britain's greatest comedy heroes: Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe, and Bob Monkhouse. *The Last Laugh* played at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer. 

Bob Golding, Damian Williams, and Simon Cartwright will all reprise their roles as Eric Morecambe,...

'The Last Laugh' to transfer to the West End

1200 LT THE LAST LAUGH. Bob Golding (Eric Morecambe), Damian Williams (Tommy Cooper) and Simon Cartwright (Bob Monkhouse). Photo Pamela Raith (1)

Written and directed by Paul Hendy, the show re-imagines the lives of three of Britain's greatest comedy heroes: Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe, and Bob Monkhouse.

Something wicked this way comes… and London is packed with spook-tacular shows and activities that are perfect for Halloween 2024. The annual fright night falls on 31 October, which is a Thursday this year, and if you just love everything about this spine-tingling holiday, then you’ll want to start thinking about your plans now.

One ghoulishly great way to celebrate Halloween is with a play or musical – perhaps one that centres on witches, like...

Top shows and attractions in London for Halloween

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Trick or treat! Discover a wide variety of fun activities and events to book for Halloween in London, ranging from spine-chilling shows to eerie attractions.

Further casting has been announced for the upcoming production of <a href="/show/uncle-vanya">Uncle Vanya</a>, which opens at the <a href="/theatres/harold-pinter-theatre">Harold Pinter Theatre</a> in January 2020.Currently starring in Translations at the National Theatre, Ciarán Hinds will play the role of Professor Serebryakov. Hinds has worked with Conor McPherson on numerous productions, including <a href="/show/girl-from-the-north-country">Girl from the North Country</a> at the Old Vic and The Night Alive at the Donmar Warehouse, and has also starred in Game of Thrones as Mance Rayder.Rosalind Eleazar will play the role of Yelena, previously starring in The Starry Messenger&nbsp;as well as appearing in the television series&nbsp;Howard's End and Death in Paradise. Aimee Lou Wood will play Sonya, previously playing Effie in Downstate&nbsp;at the National Theatre. They are joined by Anna Calder Marshall as Nana,&nbsp;Deabhla Molloy as Grandmaman and Peter Wight as Telegin.They star alongside the <a href="/theatre-news/news/toby-jones-and-richard-armitage-to-star-in-uncle-vanya-at-the-harold-pinter">previously announced</a> Toby Jones as Uncle Vanya as Richard Armitage as Astrov.Originally written by Anton Chekhov, the play follows Sonya and her uncle Vanya in a countryside house, regularly visited by their local doctor Astrov. However, relationships become strained when Sonya's father returns with a new partner. The upcoming West End production features a new adaptation by Conor McPherson and is directed by Ian Rickson. &nbsp;<a href="/show/uncle-vanya">Uncle Vanya</a> is at the <a href="/theatres/harold-pinter-theatre">Harold Pinter Theatre</a> from 14th January.<a href="/show/uncle-vanya">Uncle Vanya tickets</a> are available now.

Ciarán Hinds to join cast of Uncle Vanya in latest casting announcement

Uncle Vanya

Uncle Vanya [18886]

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[Poster] Uncle Vanya 18886

Uncle Vanya&nbsp;played its final performance at the <a href="/theatres/harold-pinter-theatre">Harold Pinter Theatre</a>&nbsp;on 14th March, due to the global pandemic. For more information, <a href="/covid-19">please read here</a>.<a href="/actor-profile/toby-jones">Toby Jones</a> and <a href="/actor-profile/richard-armitage">Richard Armitage</a>&nbsp;star in this&nbsp;revival of&nbsp;Uncle Vanya&nbsp;at the <a href="/theatres/harold-pinter-theatre">Harold Pinter Theatre</a> which opened on&nbsp;14th January 2020. The production features a new adaptation of Anton Chekhov's original text by Conor McPherso, and&nbsp;tickets are available now.Chekhov's original text sees an elderly professor and his glamorous wife visit their rural estate where two friends - Vanya, the brother of the professor's first wife, and the local doctor Astrov -&nbsp;become enamoured with the wife. Matters turn to crisis when the couple decides to sell the estate, where Vanya and his niece Sonya live, looking to invest the money for a maximum profit.&nbsp;Richard Armitage appears in the stage production as the local doctor, Astrov. His stage credits include&nbsp;John Proctor in Arthur Miller's The Crucible at the Old Vic,&nbsp;and Miek Bartlett's Love, Love, Love on Broadway. On-screen, Armitage is known for his roles in The Hobbit films, as well as the British TV series&nbsp;North &amp; South and Spooks.&nbsp;Toby Jones stars in the piece as Vanya. His stage credits include Harold Pinter's The Birthday Party, Caryl Churchill's Glass. Kill. Bluebeard. Imp. at the Royal Court and Parlour Song at the Almeida Theatre.&nbsp;Casting for the production also includes&nbsp;Ciarán Hinds,&nbsp;Rosalind Eleazar,&nbsp;Aimee Lou Wood,&nbsp;Anna Calder Marshall, Deabhla Molloy and Peter Wight.Ian Rickson directs the play. His recent London credits include Rosmersholm at the <a href="/theatres/duke-of-yorks-theatre">Duke of York's Theatre</a>, <a href="/show/translations">Translations</a>&nbsp;at the National Theatre, and has worked previously with writer Conor McPherson on the play The Weir.&nbsp;

Uncle Vanya - LON - London Theatre

Uncle Vanya [18886] - TodayTix

Michael Billington recently wrote a feature for The Guardian in which he commented that he's seen nearly two dozen productions of <a href="/show/uncle-vanya">Uncle Vanya</a> in over 60 years as a theatregoer (48 of them as a critic); and even if I can't (yet) claim quite those numbers on any of those scores, like Billington I consider it to be my personal favourite of all of Chekhov's plays - indeed, I'd go even further and say it's my favourite play, period, from a writer who I consider my favourite of all the classic playwrights.&nbsp; I try to never miss an opportunity to see it; and in the last few years, these have included, for me, spellbinding productions at the Almeida (in 2016, which I gave a <a href="/reviews/uncle-vanya-2016">five-star review to on this site</a>) and Manchester's Home (in 2017), with a rather less satisfying version at Hampstead Theatre in 2018.So the new West End production has a lot to live up to; and if it is not quite as radical as Robert Icke's <a href="/theatres/almeida-theatre">Almeida</a> re-working, which I dubbed "a crushingly brilliant new take on an all-too-familiar play", this more conventionally staged version has a masterly sense of pace and place, with director Ian Rickson orchestrating a mostly stellar cast in a beautifully nuanced account of the play that fully embraces its tender, funny, sad and crushingly comic notes in turn.&nbsp;Rickson, who also has a long relationship with Connor McPherson who provided the new version of the play used here that saw him staging the premieres of McPherson's plays The Weir and Dublin Carol, also previously directed Chekhov's The Seagull at the <a href="/theatres/royal-court">Royal Court</a> in a production that subsequently transferred to Broadway. One of our very best directors of new plays, he has also increasingly demonstrated his facility for commercial outings of classic revivals that shine fascinating new light on themHere this is achieved by a deliberately muted, unshowy emphasis on performance, with three leading performances that unassertively each glow with crushed, repressed feelings that they dare to expose. <a href="/actor-profile/toby-jones">Toby Jones</a>'&nbsp;unrequited passion for Rosalind Eleazar's beautiful Yelena, who is in turn desperately in love with Richard Armitage's Astrov, provides the painful anchors to the drama; there's also unrequited passion in Aimee Lou Wood's Sonya, also in love with Astrov, but this is less convincingly caught.But elsewhere there's also rich support from Ciaran Hinds'&nbsp;Professor Serebrakhov, Anna Calder-Marshall's Nana, Dearbhla Molloy as Vanya's mother and Peter Wight as Waffles to make this a piercing production in which you really get to know each character.This is both a play and a production that speaks to the yearning chasms of existential despair in life, love, aspiration, inheritance and unfulfilled ambitions; it also, thrillingly and presciently, addresses concerns about the impact of deforestation, and yet also of hopes for a better prospect of happiness for the generations that will come after the characters in it. In other words, it is at once an unstintingly bleak portrait of the state of an unhappy family and the stultifying dull lives they're enduring in rural Russia, yet also so imbued with a recognisable humanity that it is also a heartfelt portrait in that very sense of endurance and the necessity to do so, against the odds.This richly detailed production is housed within a stunning set by Rae Smith, gorgeously lit by Bruno Poet and hauntingly scored by composer Stephen Warbeck.At a time when the current fashion is to view Chekhov through a different cultural lens, as the <a href="/theatres/national-theatre">National</a> are doing with Three Sisters relocated to Nigeria, it is both refreshing and even radical to go back to Chekhovian basics and produce a more faithful version like this in the West End that demonstrates what a masterpiece the play is without the need for reinvention.<a href="/show/uncle-vanya">Uncle Vanya</a>&nbsp;is at the Harold Pinter Theatre until 2nd May.<a href="/show/uncle-vanya">Uncle Vanya</a><a href="/show/uncle-vanya"> tickets</a> are available now.Photo credit: Johan Persson

Review - Uncle Vanya starring Richard Armitage at the Harold Pinter Theatre

Uncle Vanya starring Toby Jones and Richard Armitage review

Your Lie in April - LON [40886]

Your Lie in April

Due to phenomenal demand, critically acclaimed Your Lie in April will transfer to the Harold Pinter Theatre for 12 weeks only. 

The Harold Pinter Theatre, established and adorned with Victorian architecture in 1881, is one of the most notable theatre venues in the heart of London. Originally known as the Royal Comedy Theatre, it later adopted the name of 'Harold Pinter', honouring the famous playwright. The theatre is situated conveniently in the centre of the bustling West End, an ideal location for tourists and locals alike. The interior is decorated with an impressive array of original features aligned with its historical era of inception, creating an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere for theatre-goers. The theatre has an audience capacity of 796 people across four levels, with the seats divided into Stalls, Dress Circle, Royal Circle and Balcony. Over time, it has been home to many outstanding performances, including shows like 'The Homecoming', 'Moonlight', and 'Betrayal'. The Harold Pinter Theatre undoubtedly offers a memorable and culturally enriching experience for all those who visit.

### How to Get to the Venue 

Harold Pinter Theatre is accessible and well-connected, located at Panton Street in the City of Westminster. The closest Underground stations are Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square, both within a short 5-minute walk. Numerous buses service the area regularly, making it straightforward to reach using public transport. For those driving, the MasterPark at Whitcomb Street and NCP at Denman Street are the nearest parking options.

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Harold Pinter Theatre - TodayTix

The Harold Pinter Theatre opened on 15 Oct. 1881 as a comic opera house. Its name on opening was the Royal Comedy Theatre, though its ‘Royal’ epithet was dropped in 1884.

The Comedy Theatre helped establish the New Watergate Club in 1956, a society which helped overturn the stage censorship enforced by the Lord Chamberlain’s Office. The formation of the Club meant that the plays banned by the Government could be performed at this venue as it was now being run as a private club rather than a commercial entity. Notable plays in this category include Arthur Miller’s *A View from the Bridge* and Tennessee Williams’ *Cat On A Hot Tin Roof*. The censorship was finally overturned in 1968. 

Harold Pinter's works were often performed here: *The Homecoming*, *The Caretaker*, *Moonlight*, *No-Man’s Land* and *The Hothouse* all enjoyed successful runs, and Pinter directed a production of *The Old Masters* here in 2004. After his death, it was thought fitting to bestow the honour of naming a theatre after him, and the name was officially changed on 13 Oct. 2011 to the Harold Pinter Theatre. The Ambassador Theatre Group own the Harold Pinter Theatre.

## Harold Pinter Theatre Seating Information

The auditorium has four levels – Stalls, Dress Circle, Royal Circle and Balcony. The top three levels are a horseshoe shape around the stalls.

The Stalls is a single block of seats, and offers good sightlines. Some seats are impaired by supportive pillars and the overhang of the Dress Circle.

The Dress Circle doesn’t offer a great raking in the seating, but the view is not affected by the overhang of the Royal Circle. 

The Royal Circle seats curve towards the stage more noticeably than the Dress Circle.

The Balcony feels very high in this theatre.

Harold Pinter Theatre - London Theatre

Opened in 1881 as the Royal Comedy Theatre, it became the Harold Pinter Theatre in 2011. It features four seating levels and hosted notable uncensored plays.

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The Harold Pinter Theatre is a historic venue in London's West End, known for hosting many notable performances. Convenient and easily accessible by public transit.

Ciarán Hinds to join cast of Uncle Vanya in latest casting announcement

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