There’s no doubt about it, London is one of the best places to see live theatre in the world. The capital is full of fantastic venues that are rich with history and regularly play host to the most talented actors on the planet.
But there’s a world beyond the glitz of the well-known West End venues, and small, fringe theatres often have some of the best shows in London. Staying at the Chilworth Hotel London, you’re in an ideal spot to see some of this kind of theatre.
So, if you fancy a smaller, more intimate venue in which to see some amazing performances, read on.
The Great Gatsby – Gatsby’s Drugstore
If you like the idea of actually being inside a play while it happens, this production of The Great Gatsby should be right up your street.
A small, very chic venue, Gatsby’s Drugstore is a modern theatre space that puts you in the middle of the action as it unfolds. It’s somewhere between a play and interactive theatre, with the actors close enough to touch. And it’s only a short hop from our hotels near London Paddington.
That means you occupy a prime position as the world of Gatsby – a seemingly carefree man of leisure – morphs and falls around his ears. Aside from the unique experience, it’s a very well-done production of F Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel and something you won’t soon forget.
The Inheritance: Part 1 – Noel Coward Theatre
Coming from the pen of New York playwright Matthew Lopez, The Inheritance: Part 1 has received significant praise.
Following a group of young men in New York, the play looks at the trials and tribulations they face. As these characters seek to make sense of the world after their lives are blown apart by the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, the play is equal parts hilarious and heart-breaking, as the main characters try and find their way in a society that has changed.
Showing at the beautiful Noel Coward Theatre, this production is a must-see if you like modern, ground-breaking theatre.
Foxfinder – The Ambassadors Theatre
Set in a vaguely post-apocalyptic Britain, Foxfinder is all about what happens when random people come together. Playing at the Ambassadors Theatre, you’re in a perfect position to see it with any of Montcalm’s Paddington hotel special offers.
William – the titular Foxfinder – is a man whose job is, funnily enough, to find and catch foxes. Brought in by a couple whose farm is failing, he sets to work trying to eradicate the foxes they think are to blame. But as the plot progresses, more and more oddness comes to light and William begins to have more and more questions.
Starring Iwan Rheon (best known for playing the vile Ramsay Bolton in Game of Thrones) this is a first-rate production and the acting is some of the best you’re likely to see on stage this year. It’s a strange, affecting and sometimes brutal play, but one that’s more than worth seeing.
55 Westbourne Terrace, Paddington, London W2 3UY
