London is home to over three dozen major theatres, most located in the West End, including The National Theatre, The Royal Shakespeare Company, The Globe, and The Royal Court Theatre.
West End theatres are mainly concentrated around Leicester Square, Strand and Shaftesbury Ave. Ticket prices can be high, sometimes as much as £70, or as low as £15. The seating capacities can range from around 250 to over 2,000.
The National Theatre (NT) and the Shakespeare Globe Theatre are two of the most popular repertoire companies in London. The Shakespeare Globe Theatre season is performed from April to September, and mainly features Shakespearean plays.
Smaller theatres, including pub theatres, are called Fringe or Off West End. These small theatres can vary, with seating capacities of around 40 up to around 400. There are some fantastic plays in these smaller venues that are much more affordable and may provide a more personal experience.
There are also a few commercial theatres in London such as The Richmond and Wimbledon theatres. These theatres mainly feature touring shows that play for only a week or two.
And if you’re looking for a movie theater, Portobello Road is also home to the Grade II Electric Cinema, one of Britain's oldest movie theatres.
