| If you go to see one of the musicals in London, | | | | Jason Donovan to Jerry Springer - all love the |
| you'll be entertained by some of the planet's top | | | | chance to perform in London's musical shows. |
| entertainers, and you'll be seeing some of the | | | | And, with musicals packed with Abba, Queen or |
| world's longest-running and best-known shows. | | | | Billy Joel hits, or with a great compelling story, |
| Indeed, for many visitors, no trip to the UK's | | | | such as 'Billy Elliott' or 'Blood Brothers', the choice |
| capital would be complete without an evening or | | | | of shows is immense. But with such popularity, |
| matinee showing of one of the city's hit musicals. | | | | inevitably prices can be high, and shows may be |
| Most of London's musicals are staged in | | | | booked up a long way ahead. However, there are |
| 'Theatreland' - the city's main theatre district - in | | | | things you can do to see them for less. |
| the heart of the West End, where there are | | | | One idea is to get a group of friends, colleagues |
| some 40 venues. Main streets of this area include | | | | or relatives together and see a musical as a |
| the Strand, Drury Lane and Shaftesbury Avenue. | | | | group, since there are often discounts for block |
| Theatre audiences for this part of town topped | | | | bookings. |
| 13 million in 2007. | | | | If you're around in London during the day, tickets |
| Musical shows in London tend to have far longer | | | | for matinee performances are generally great |
| runs than straight plays. The longest running in the | | | | value, especially during the week. Matinee, or |
| West End is 'Les Misérables', which first | | | | afternoon, performances are generally staged on |
| opened in 1985. The second longest-running show, | | | | Wednesday and Saturday from 2.30 or 3pm. |
| 'Phantom of the Opera', has been at Her | | | | You will usually find you get the best deals by |
| Majesty's Theatre since 1986, and is the longest | | | | either reserving tickets months in advance or |
| running still in its original venue. | | | | buying at the very last minute. There are ticket |
| In October 2006, 'Les Misérables' overtook | | | | booths in the West End offering musicals at |
| Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Cats', which closed in | | | | reduced rates, usually for that evening - although |
| 2002 after nearly 9000 performances and | | | | you have to take your chances - there may not |
| 21-year run, as the West End's longest-running | | | | be seats available for the show you want to see. |
| musical show ever. | | | | You may get a better deal, and a greater choice |
| Musicals in London have launched the careers of | | | | of show, by going online. Tickets are frequently |
| many stars. Richard Gere, for example, was | | | | available on auction websites, or through various |
| virtually unknown before he took the lead in the | | | | online entertainment and travel booking services. |
| London stage version of 'Grease' in the 1970s. | | | | Do your research, and you'll find that you could |
| Some years later, before her 'EastEnders' days, | | | | save a lot of money on tickets for some of the |
| Samantha Janus was Sandy in the same show. | | | | West End's top shows. |
| These days, American and Australian stars - from | | | | |