| From the gates of Buckingham Palace to the | | | | statistics about the longevity of some of the |
| magnificent Houses of Parliament, London is one | | | | shows. |
| of the world's leading cities for culture, history and | | | | Agatha Christie's play 'The Mousetrap' is the |
| anything else one could ever associate with a true | | | | longest running play in the world, having been |
| global city. | | | | performed at the Ambassador's Theatre from |
| However, what brings many visitors to London is | | | | 1952 to 1974, then moving next door to the St. |
| the nightlife. The abundance of fine restaurants, | | | | Martin's Theatre from 1974 until today. |
| bars and nightclubs draws crowds to the | | | | Similarly, a number of other well-renowned plays |
| metropolis in their hordes, whilst the bright lights, | | | | such as Les Miserables, The Phantom of the |
| big city vibe of Piccadilly Circus is London's very | | | | Opera, Blood Brothers, Cats and the Woman in |
| own answer to New York's Times Square | | | | Black are all well into their third decade in the |
| Indeed, the comparison with New York doesn't | | | | theatres of London's West End. |
| end with bright neon-lit advertising and video | | | | Of course, London's live performance scene isn't |
| displays. Piccadilly Circus is situated in London's | | | | restricted to the Theatreland district. For those |
| West End area, or 'Theatreland' as it's also known. | | | | who are seeking a little more artistic prestige, |
| Along with New York's Broadway, West End | | | | then there are many non-commercial theatres |
| theatre is widely regarded as having the best live | | | | worth exploring in other areas too, such as the |
| performance theatre in the English-speaking world. | | | | Old Vic, the Young Vic, the Royal Court Theatre |
| Drawing in up to fifteen million people each year, | | | | and the Almeida Theatre. |
| the most famous theatres in London's West End | | | | Perhaps one of the more interesting venues |
| are located in Drury Lane, Shaftsbury Avenue and | | | | though is Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, a modern |
| The Strand, with as many as forty different | | | | reconstruction of the original Globe Theatre, which |
| theatres open at any one time, staging everything | | | | was conceived of and built by William |
| from timeless classics, musicals, comedy and | | | | Shakespeare's playing company in the late |
| contemporary plays. | | | | sixteenth century. Today, the Globe Theatre |
| To demonstrate how highly regarded and | | | | plays host to countless live performances of |
| 'in-demand' London's Theatreland district is, it's | | | | Shakespeare classics, making it the highlight of |
| probably worth pointing out a few interesting | | | | any theatre tour of London. |