Best shows in London ?

We just saw "the Comittments" and loved it. The music was Motown and fabulous.

Oops, to answer your question---Wicked is still on.

Maybe you can lure the mate with ice cream cups which many London Theatres serve at intermission. I find that tradition charming. As noted, Wicked is still on. http://londontheatre.co.uk/londontheatre/whatson/index.htm provides an up to date listing of shows. To save some money you should also check to see if Wicked or any other play you might like to see has tickets available at the Half Price ticket booth in Leicester Square. http://www.tkts.co.uk/leicester-square/ ( you go and get tickets for that night) In all my London Theatre visits I've paid full only once and that was for Maggie Smith in Lady in A Van, many years ago. Otherwise it's been the Half Price Ticket booth for such diverse plays as Guys and Dolls, (best production ever!), Les Miz, Stones in His Pockets, Hurly Burly and the hilarious Play What I Wrote. The latter, a tribute to the beloved British Comedy duo Morecombe and Wise, always surprised the audience with a celebrity guest. Ours was Sir Charles Dance. Dance currently embodies the evil Tywin Lannister in the HBO series, Game of Thrones.

You don't say when you are visiting and tickets may be sold out but finally went here in May of 2012. Loved every minute of it. http://www.shakespearesglobe.com Bought seats before I left the States. Bay E in the upper gallery if I recall correctly. Excellent vantage point. Most enjoyable outing. Theatre in London is a wonderful experience. I'm certain the better half will enjoy it.

Pat - I would recommend Billy Elliot, 39 Steps and Once all are great shows.

Thanks Joel,Eileen, and Claudia for recommendations will look those up. Claudia thanks for link to discount ticket sites,very helpful
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Fun is the key work. I loved "The 39 Steps" See the old movie first. ..and it's not a musical, it that means anything.
"Mamma Mia" has been around awhile but it really is a fun show. Much, much better than the movie.
I saw "Jersey Boys" during a trip to NYC. It was good, really good, but not what I'd call fun. Still, I'd see it again.
Les Mes is definitely not fun but it's my all time favorite.
"Billy Elliott" has it moments but if your mate is not enthusiastic about a show, don't push tis one.
My old fall back show is "The Mousetrap" It's always fun for me even though I know who the killer is. My family liked "Wicked" a very lot.
We hope to see B.O.M or "The Commitments" this fall when we're in London.
My husband loves theatre. I know he is more comfortable with a musical whose music is familiar to him because it's easier for him to "hear". For example ABBA or The Four Seasons.

We are visiting London in early July and are thinking we'd like to see Mousetrap, The Commitments, or Perfect Nonsense. I see earlier commenters liked The Commitments, any thoughts on the other two? And any advice on getting cheaper tickets other than TKTS, that is, in advance. Sorry, I'm a nervous traveler, would rather have things arranged beforehand if possible. THanks!

Debra, I don't think you'll find tickets for Mousetrap at TKTS. As I remember it's already a lot less money than most of the others.

Beg to differ Laurel, tickets for Mousetrap are for sale at the 1/2 Ticket booth. Have been for years. Click on the link in my previous post and you'll see they are listed.

Debra wish I knew a way you could get cheap tickets in advance but I don't. The Ticket Booth in Leicester Square opens at 10am Monday thru Saturday and at a 11am on Sunday. If your schedule has flexibility you could visit during the day and purchase tickets for that evening. Maybe go there first thing, get your tickets and then off to explore other parts of London? Tickets into your money belt for safe keeping! FYI the National Gallery and St. Martin's in The Field in Trafalgar Square as well as Covent Garden are both within easy walking distance of the Leicester Square. Might you consider breakfast at the Cafe in the Courtyard behind St. Martin's then a stroll over to the ticket booth?

Lastly, as I also noted in a previous post this is a great place to enjoy a play, http://www.shakespearesglobe.com. Can book in advance and pick up at will call. Not saying it's cheap, unless you wish to stand during the entire performance. Merely saying it's another theatre option.

Great city to enjoy. Have a wonderful visit!

Claudia, the tickets for The Mousetrap at the 1/2 booth sales for £1.00 more then they sale for at the theatre. So I would go to the theatre to get my tickets.

Absolutely go to the theatre to get the tickets for Mousetrap if they are cheaper! That pound can be spent on the ice cream cup at intermission.

A brilliant funny show is the 39 steps..it's the normal story but told in a numerous way it's brilliant! So so funny,...also not a show but I saw the faulty towers dining experience which was brilliantly funny too...dinner and fun..!

I'm just glad I didn't say for sure Mousetrap tickets were not available at half price..only that I thought they weren't. Missed that bullet.

John, I am looking at the Fawlty Towers dinner show, I read reviews and they seem good, mention expensive drinks , do you recall how expensive? Looks like fun, we loved the TV show.

The Book of Mormon is easily the funniest thing I've ever seen; I've been three times since January! Its definitely not a show for everyone though...google it to see if you might like it. They're booking from now until the end of September (more dates are announced on a rolling couple of months.) You won't find any discounts; they're selling out every single performance. If you're at the theatre 2 hours before the show, you can put your name into a drum for the chance to win two seats for only £20 each.

Agree, The Book of Mormon is hysterical but NOT a play for everyone. In fact some folks might find it over the top and offensive. Please note if you do opt for a 1/2 ticket from TKTS they are for the day you buy them so pace your site seeing. Each and every ticket I've gotten there have been located in the stalls or front row. The latter can be a blessing or....well, let's just say I have seen much more of Rupert Grave's anatomy than ever expected in a play called Hurly Burly. A friend and I sat in the first row for the comedy A Play I Wrote. She was singled out for banter and good natured ridicule throughout. I hurt myself laughing. Which ever play/musical you finally attend I'm certain you'll enjoy the experience!!