How to Dress for London Theatre

Charlene, you can dress up if you want

but you can just go in jeans.........you see it all!

Have fun........

Thanks so much! Now we know what to wear which makes for easier packing.

Be sure whatever you are wearing is comfortable in a hot theatre. We just saw 39 Steps and the theatre was very hot---probably 85 degrees.(The theatre had a notice that they were air-conditioned, but it did not feel that way.) We also saw Phantom--that theatre was not as overheated.

I went to see Mamma Mia last June (a year ago last week!) and wore a short-sleeved knit shirt, black dress capris and ballet flats. As mentioned, it appeared as every type of dress was accepted. Have a wonderful time! :)

Be sure to buy an ice cream cup at intermission. I just love this "tradition" at British Theatre. Wicked is wonderful. Enjoy.

As the other posts said you see everything, but I fell that you might want to dress a little better then jeans. I just think it looks better and it shows respect to the actors. I usually wear capris or slacks. Do buy the ice cream during intermission, it's a fun British tradition.

Let me add that it is indeed nice to go beyond dressing in jeans for the theatre as mentioned by one of the respondents. The dependable black capris/slacks or nice skirt added to your packing list would be good.....that is what I do. It's just that one night we were running late would haved missed the play if we had gone back to the hotel to change. I ended up having to wear jeans and it didn't matter. The next week, we dressed up a bit.

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I am planning on black dress slacks, a nice tank top, and a dressy pin striped black and white dress shirt. Keep traveling!

I was there last week as well but we saw Spamalot. I wore a plain black skirt and pale pink top with black sandals. No one dressed up, and for the most part men wore slacks and a shirt, women wore slacks, dress or skirts... everyone pretty casual.

FYI: Unlike some of the US theatre, the little programs are not free but are 3 pounds.

You can also eat in the theatre.

Three weeks ago, we saw Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theatre. Wonderful. Slacks and nice blouse for me, slacks and nice shirt for my husband. A couple on our tour saw Wicked and loved it, too. Have fun. Wow, we just loved London.

I think one thing to keep in mind though is while jeans are ACCEPTABLE, are they PREFERRED dress? An individual is not going to be turned away because they are in jeans but they will stand out a little bit amongst the patrons who have dressed up a bit for the evening.

I think asking the question "how to dress" indicates a desire to conform with the ways of the population at large. For that I would encourage a nice top, skirt or trousers as most have been wearing/indicating.

If you wear shorts just be certain they hit the knees...

When we went to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, we wore slacks and comfortable shirts (no t-shirts). People there were dressed up and dressed down.

I frequent the theatre a lot. Wear what you feel comfortable in... layers and bring your own water are recommended especially as the theatres heat up in the summer.

The only place I'd feel slightly underdressed in jeans would be at the Royal Opera House but even then most people get away with a nice top and nice jeans.

We saw everything--I was surprised at how casual people were dressed--when we went to Les Miz and Lion King last month. Want to concur with the poster who said it is hot in the theaters. We were in dress circle for Lion King and nearly passed out--guess heat rises. The weather outside was not hot either, raining in fact. On the upside, they sell ice cream in the seating area during intermission, like at a ball park!

We were just in London and saw Spamalot and Buddy.
People were more dressed up at Buddy, but compared to home, the audience was very casual and the theatres themself very old. When the lights go out, it doesn't matter what you are wearing. The staff are very friendly and glad you are there.

We recently went to see Le Miserables and Wicked in London. We dressed up some for Le Mis, but it was pouring rain before Wicked and we didn't go back to the hotel. We felt right at home in jeans. It's just up to you as to how you want to dress. People were dressed in all ways.

We thoroughly enjoyed Le Mis. I liked it better than when I saw it in New York. Wicked was OK, but I wouldn't spend the time or money if I had it to do over. I'd pick something else.

No shoes no shirt no service !! they are not fussy

And as a theatre person, the cast and crew really don't care what you're wearing. They care if you laugh at the right times, gasp at the right times, and cry on cue. What they may notice is if you tend to be a little... overexposed. I've been backstage and an actor has come off mentioning a very impressive rack on display, causing all the next people going onstage to check it out. But all regular clothes, no problem.