Tickets for Madame Tussauds (a popular attraction) can be purchased online. You select a date and time from a calendar that shows what’s available and you are guaranteed admission up to 30 minutes from the selected time. Saves time and waiting in the general admission line.

To find out what’s happening on the London theater scene The Society of London Theatre has an excellent website and publishes an electronic  newsletter.

The following are just some of the venues for concerts and plays in London. I have included a link to their respective websites where you can find out what’s playing or purchase tickets (if available):

Donmar Warehouse Theatre is considered off-West End theatre; therefore,  tends to have more adventurous and/or experimental productions that you normally don’t find in mainstream West End productions.

The English National Opera performs operas in English.

The Globe Theatre performs not only works by William Shakespeare, but usually includes one or two plays by other playwrights during the season.

The excellent London Symphony performs at the Barbican, a multipurpose performing arts center.

National Film Theatre is located in South Bank. Shows retrospectives from time to time along with a mix of new and classic films from around the world.

The Royal Court Theatre in Chelsea originally opened in 1871 with Gilbert’s (as in Gilbert & Sullivan) Randall’s Thumb. Since 1956 (renovated in 2000) the home of the English Stage Company. Not only do they showcase up and coming playwrights from the UK, but playwrights from all over the world as well. They are not afraid of putting on new plays, which can make for some interesting and quite enjoyable productions.

The Royal National Theatre complex has three theaters: The Olivier, The Lyttleton and The Cottesloe.

The Royal Opera perform at the beautiful Royal Opera House Covent Garden (completed renovated a few years ago) along with the Royal  Ballet.

Royal Shakespeare Company performs at a number of different venues around the city.

The Royal Albert Hall hosts everything from Brahm’s The Messiah to rock bands.

Wigmore Hall one of the best concert halls in London for chamber music.

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