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While I adore a grand musical as much as the next person, some of the most profound and exciting theatrical experiences happen in the smaller, more intimate venues.
It’s wonderful that you’re looking beyond the usual suspects! My top tip for finding these treasures is to explore London’s Off-West End and Fringe theatres. These are the places where new writing flourishes, experimental theatre takes risks, and you often see incredible talent before they hit the big stages. Think of places like:
The Almeida Theatre (Islington): Always pushing boundaries with bold, contemporary interpretations of classics and powerful new plays.
The Donmar Warehouse (Covent Garden): Known for its intimate setting and consistently high-quality productions, often attracting big names.
The Southwark Playhouse (Elephant and Castle & Borough): A fantastic hub for new writing and innovative revivals, with a really vibrant atmosphere.
The Bush Theatre (Shepherd’s Bush): Dedicated to championing new playwrights and diverse voices.
The Orange Tree Theatre (Richmond): A unique in-the-round space, renowned for its rediscovered classics and new plays.
The Finborough Theatre (Earl’s Court): Tiny but mighty, often unearthing forgotten plays and showcasing emerging talent.Don’t be afraid to take a chance on a lesser-known title or a theatre you haven’t heard of. That’s where the real discoveries are made, and you often get to see truly groundbreaking work for a fraction of the West End price. Happy hunting!
The Novello Theatre itself doesn’t have its own parking facilities, which is pretty standard for most central London theatres.
However, there are definitely options nearby, and yes, pre-booking is highly, highly recommended, especially for evening shows. It saves you a lot of stress and often a bit of money too!
Your best bet for secure, nearby parking is usually one of the Q-Park car parks. They have several locations in the West End, and many offer a special Theatreland Parking Scheme. This is fantastic because you can often get 50% off your parking charge for up to 4 hours if you validate your ticket at the theatre. It’s a real lifesaver!
For the Novello, the closest Q-Park car parks would be Q-Park Chinatown (20 Newport Place, WC2H 7PR) or Q-Park Trafalgar (Spring Gardens, SW1A 2TS). While the user mentioned Covent Garden car parks, which are indeed close, Q-Park is often specifically set up for theatre-goers.
Cost-wise, without the Theatreland discount, you’re looking at around £18 for up to 3 hours and £24 for 4 hours. With the discount, it becomes much more reasonable. Always check the Q-Park website (q-park.co.uk) for the most up-to-date prices and to pre-book your spot. It’s super easy to do online.
And yes, the walk from these car parks to the Novello is pretty manageable, usually around 10-15 minutes, which is a lovely stroll through the heart of Theatreland. Just remember to get your parking ticket validated at the theatre before you leave to get that discount!
I’ve unfortunately encountered this few times over the years. It’s truly frustrating when a few individuals disrupt the magic of a live performance. My golden rule, and one I’ve found to be the most effective, is to always involve an usher.
Here’s why:
1) Avoid confrontation: Directly confronting disruptive audience members can escalate the situation and create even more of a scene, which is the last thing you want during a show. It’s not your job to police the audience.
2) Usher’s role: Ushers and front-of-house staff are trained to handle these situations discreetly and professionally. It’s literally part of their job to ensure everyone has an enjoyable experience. They know how to approach people without causing a fuss.
3) Discretion: A good usher will handle it subtly. They might have a quiet word with the individuals, or if the behaviour persists, they can move them or even ask them to leave. All without you having to say a word to the disruptive party yourself.When to involve an usher?
– Persistent talking/rustling or phone use that’s impacting people around you
– Bright phone screens in a dark auditorium
– Visible drunkenness or overly boisterous behaviourHow to do it politely?
During the performance, if it’s truly unbearable, you can discreetly catch the eye of an usher (they’re usually at the back or sides of the auditorium) and give a subtle signal. If you can wait until the interval, even better: find an usher, explain calmly where the disruption is, and they’ll take it from there.I’ve seen performances halted because of extreme disruption, and it’s such a shame for everyone involved. So, honestly, don’t try to be a hero—let the professionals handle it. It’s the most polite and effective way to keep the show running smoothly for everyone.
Most theatres will have bars offering a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, along with some basic snacks like crisps, chocolates, and sometimes ice cream. You can usually pre-order interval drinks to avoid the queues, which is a lifesaver, especially for popular shows. However, don’t expect gourmet meals or even particularly good value for money.
My personal take? I almost always eat and drink beforehand. The West End is absolutely brimming with fantastic restaurants, pubs, and cafes that offer much better quality and value. It’s part of the whole theatre experience for me – a lovely meal before the show, and then perhaps just a small bottle of water or a soft drink inside if I get thirsty.
Can you bring your own? This is a bit of a grey area and varies by theatre. Generally, they don’t allow hot food or anything too smelly (which is fair enough, you don’t want to be distracting your fellow theatre-goers!). However, many theatres are quite relaxed about bringing in your own cold snacks like a bag of sweets or a small bottle of water. I’ve often popped into a supermarket beforehand for a little treat. Just be discreet and avoid anything that rustles too loudly during the performance!
Some theatres, like the Apollo Victoria, even explicitly state that cold food in plastic containers is allowed. So, it’s worth checking the specific theatre’s website if you’re unsure, but as a rule, avoid anything that could be messy or noisy.
Generally, most London theatres open their doors about 45 to 60 minutes before the performance starts. This is your golden window to get settled without feeling rushed. I always aim to arrive at least 30 minutes before curtain up. Here’s why I choose to arrive early
Ticket Collection: If you’re collecting tickets from the box office, this gives you ample time to queue and pick them up without any last-minute panic. Even if you have e-tickets, it’s good to have that buffer.
Facilities: You’ll want to use the cloakroom (if you have a bag that needs checking, as we discussed before!) and, of course, the facilities. Theatre loos can get notoriously busy just before the show starts, so getting in early saves you from a frantic dash.
Finding your seat: London theatres are beautiful, but some can be a bit of a maze! Giving yourself time to find your seat, especially if you’re in the upper circles or a less common area, means you can relax and soak in the atmosphere.
Programme and drinks: If you fancy a programme to read up on the cast or a pre-show drink, arriving early means you can do so leisurely. The bars can get very crowded closer to showtime.If you’re just walking in with your e-ticket and no bags, you could probably get away with 15-20 minutes, but I personally find that a bit too close for comfort.
From my experience, yes, most London theatres do conduct bag checks as a standard security procedure these days. It’s usually a quick visual check, but sometimes they might ask you to open compartments. It’s all for everyone’s safety, so it’s best to be prepared and cooperate.
Now, regarding bag size, this is where it gets a bit tricky, as it can vary slightly from theatre to theatre. However, a general rule of thumb that I always stick to is: only bring a small bag that can comfortably fit under your seat. Many theatres explicitly state that large bags, suitcases, and even large rucksacks are not allowed into the auditorium, and some don’t have cloakroom facilities for them.
For example, I know for a fact that places like the Lyceum Theatre (home of The Lion King) and the Palace Theatre (for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) are quite strict about this. They often have specific size limits mentioned on their websites – something like 40cm x 35cm x 19cm or even smaller, like A4 size. The reason is purely practical: there’s simply not enough space under the seats or in the aisles for larger items, and they can become a tripping hazard or block emergency exits.
My personal advice? If you’re coming straight from a train station or have been out and about with a larger bag, it’s always best to find a luggage storage service nearby before you head to the theatre. There are services like Stasher.com that partner with local businesses for secure bag storage.
Of course, the big classics like The Lion King and Matilda The Musical are always a hit. They’re visually stunning and have fantastic music that appeals to all ages. I’ve taken my nieces and nephews to both, and they really enjoyed it. Frozen is another one that’s very popular with the younger crowd, especially if they’re fans of the film.
Beyond the big West End productions, I always recommend looking into some of London’s dedicated children’s theatres. Places like the Unicorn Theatre near London Bridge, the Polka Theatre in Wimbledon, and the Little Angel Theatre in Islington (which specialises in puppetry!) consistently put on incredible, age-appropriate shows. They often have shorter run times and more relaxed atmospheres, which can be perfect for younger attention spans. I’ve seen some truly innovative and delightful productions at these venues over the years.
For the ‘sweet spot’ of good views without paying top price, I’d often lean towards the front of the Royal Circle. You get a fantastic panoramic view of the stage, which is brilliant for seeing all the incredible choreography and the animals entering through the aisles. It feels grand, but often comes at a slightly more palatable price than the very front of the Stalls.
Speaking of the Stalls, they are absolutely worth the extra if you want to be truly immersed. The animal procession at the beginning of the show, and at various points throughout, comes right through the aisles, and being up close for that is an unforgettable experience. If you can snag seats in the central Stalls, especially rows A-D, you’ll be right in the heart of the action. However, do be aware that some of the side Stalls seats can have slight restrictions due to the stage design, so always check SeatPlan.com if you’re unsure.
Now, for my taller friends asking about legroom at the Lyceum, I feel your pain! Older theatres, bless their hearts, weren’t always built with modern leg-stretching in mind. For extra legroom, I’ve found that the Box seats (if available and within budget) are often a good shout, as they usually have movable chairs. In the Stalls, Row R, particularly the outer seats, is often cited as having better legroom. It’s not a guarantee for every seat, but it’s a good starting point. The Lyceum is known for being a bit snug, so if legroom is a top priority, those are the areas to target. You might also find a bit more space on aisle seats, but that’s always a bit of a gamble!
For a reliable and classic pre-theatre experience, I recommend Browns Brasserie & Bar in Covent Garden. They do a fantastic pre-theatre menu that’s usually great value, and the atmosphere is always buzzing. It’s perfect if you want something that feels a bit traditional but still has a lively vibe. Another solid choice, especially if you’re looking for something quick and tasty, is Joe Allen. It’s a Theatreland institution, and they really understand the need for speed when you have a curtain to catch!
Now, for my fellow plant-based theatre-goers, you absolutely must check out Mildreds in Covent Garden. It’s a completely plant-based restaurant. They have a great pre-theatre selection, and it’s always packed, which tells you something! It’s my go-to when I want something delicious and wholesome before a show.
Generally, a ‘restricted view’ means that some part of the stage will be obscured. This could be anything from a pillar (the most common culprit, especially in older, grander theatres!) to a safety rail, or even the overhang from an upper circle cutting off the very top of the stage. The severity really does vary wildly from theatre to theatre, and even from seat to seat within the same theatre. Some theatres are much better than others at indicating exactly what the restriction is when you book.
As for whether upper circle restricted seats are harder to enjoy than restricted stalls seats, in my experience, it depends on the show and the theatre’s architecture. In the upper circle, the restriction often comes from the height and distance, sometimes cutting off the very top of the proscenium arch or high-up set pieces. In the stalls, it’s more likely to be a pillar or the heads of taller people in front of you. Personally, I find a pillar more disruptive than a high-up overhang, as it can block key moments of the action. However, some people find the steep rake of the upper circle uncomfortable or disorienting.
My top tip? Always check SeatPlan.com or AViewFromMySeat.co.uk before booking a restricted view seat. These websites have user-submitted photos and reviews from specific seats, which are invaluable.
