Think back to a time pre-pandemic, when you’d walk down London’s West End and hear distant echoes of live theatre. Soaring scores, standing ovations and enough kick ball changes to make the ground tremble. And theatre outside the capital was just as thunderous, with every major city playing host to a never-ending parade of must-see shows. But on 16th March 2020, the curtains closed, and a booming industry was brought to its knees.
Until now.
Yes, we’re delighted to say that theatre is back!
“Theatre is more powerful than most people realise,” says Emma de Souza, Head of SOLT’s Marketing and Communications. “You just can’t beat the electric feeling of audience anticipation and the excited hush as the curtain rises. No live performance is ever the same, and everyone in the room knows they’ve witnessed something special.”
It’s certainly been a long time coming – not least for the performers, technical crew, and everyone else involved in bringing spellbinding spectacles to the stage. And over the past year-and-a-half, SOLT has been working hard behind the scenes to welcome you back to the aisles safely.
Not only can you book tickets via OfficialLondonTheatre.com for over 60 plays and musicals, you can also buy Theatre Tokens for the theatre-lover in your life, which can be used at more than 260 theatres nationwide, including all of London’s West End!
But guys, we’re not done.
In addition, Official London Theatre’s world-famous TKTS booth which has stood in Leicester Square for more than 40 years, is finally back up and running, offering last-minute tickets at discounted prices. And you can now access the booth virtually via officiallondontheatre.com/tkts, meaning affordable shows are just a click away.
Ever wondered what would happen if Juliet didn’t kill herself, but instead upped sticks to Paris and lived her best life, all the while singing some of the biggest 90s pop bangers? Fear not, you can catch the songstress in the uproariously thrilling & Juliet.
Experience the joy of brand-new musicals, like Back To The Future, Disney’s Frozen, or Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella.
How about something more classic? Long running shows like The Mousetrap and Les Misérables are also up for grabs.
There simply is too much to choose from…which, after so many months spent missing the theatre, is a very happy problem to have.
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“Since the end of lockdown, I’ve been lucky enough to see nearly everything in the West End as it reopens,” SOLT’s Emma tells us. “It has been such a treat to rediscover classics and experience the magic of a brand-new show.”
Heat’s deputy editor Caroline Robb agrees. We’re nothing if not live performance lovers here at heat HQ and, for her, the “shared experience” can’t be beaten – especially when, as we know, the mental health benefits can’t be overlooked. Research shows that live theatre provides a fundamental outlet for people to relax and reduce anxiety. “Watching the magic on stage while surrounded by other people is amazing,” she says. “And let’s not forget, the gin and tonic before the show and the ice cream in the interval!”
Looking forward, there’s a whole lot to be excited now that theatre’s #BackOnStage. It may have been the first thing to close and the last thing to open, but it’s back with a veritable, resounding bang, and theatres across the country can’t wait to welcome you back.