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London theatres have existed for over a century, while some of them were even established before this. Replete with history, each theater in London’s theatre district – the West End - has a special story to tell. Known as “Theatreland,” because of the presence of over 40 theatres, this performing arts hub is also an up market and elite area where some of the most famous actors and businessmen rub shoulders. If you are a die-hard theatre fan, then a visit to the London Theatres district is a must.
Theatres have always been a balm for Londoners. Since time memorial, theatres proved to be the single most important source of entertainment and enjoyment for a city that was overcrowded, rapidly changing, and losing its culture. Every day on the streets of London, people stood by and cheered as thieves were beaten or two individuals fought for no real reason, because people simply took whatever entertainment they could find, wherever they could find it.
But today, the audience is thankfully more civilised. Today, London Theatres are more than just a venue of a show penned by a famous playwright. Today these theatres are wonderful lessons in history, changing times, and testament to the growth in dramatics around the world.
Though privately owned, London theatres have a great character, refined air, and immense magic. A visit to some of the most cherished of all London Theatres such as the London Palladium, Fortune Theatre, Ambassadors Theatre, Palace Theatre, Phoenix Theatre, Duchess Theatre, Piccadilly Theatre, Savoy Theatre, and Queen’s Theatre will leave you spellbound and in raptures.
One of the biggest theatres in London is the London Apollo Hammersmith Theatre, which has a seating capacity of 3,326 people followed by the London Palladium and the Dominion Theatre. In the year 2000 London Theatres witnessed a huge change when 9 of the top theatres merged with the Ambassadors Theatre Group under a £16 million deal! Currently, the West End has two main players: the Ambassador Theatre Group with 11 theatres and the Really Useful Group (owned by Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber) with 13 theatres.
London theatres are an intrinsic part of the city’s culture and are likely to remain so for many years to come, despite the many changes that may take place in the landscape of the West End.