Enjoy the Theatre!

If you're anywhere near London, go to the theatre. I've taken advantage of some recent weekends in London to see some amazing performances short notice and at reasonable prices (certainly, far lower than New York's). Warning: I lean toward "interesting" and "thought-provoking." With that said, I recommend these four, listed in order of their expected end dates.

• Mary Stuart artfully tells the somewhat fictionalized tale of the woman who ascended the throne, and her sister who… well, let’s just say she didn’t. At its heart, it teaches that we must trust ourselves above all, particularly when numerous advisers have fallible assessments and questionable motives. (through March 31)
• Vivaldi's The Four Seasons: A Reimagining is playing in the small replica of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. Pieces of the iconic music accompany a "cycle of life" story told silently by faceless wooden puppets “with remarkable, vivid life.” The story itself is unclear at points, but the art form is so amazing that I recommend it nonetheless. (through 18 April)
• Jamie’s drive to be a drag queen and his radiant personality mean that Everybody's Talking About Jamie. Based on a true story, it's a tale of dreams, feeling different, society's ambivalence, and a mother's unending support. It's well done, has some memorable tunes, and is just fun! (through October 6)
• And then there’s Hamilton. There’s only one thing to add, that you haven’t already heard. Because of severe restrictions on resale, a few tickets are often available a few days before the performance, and they are sold at list price!

How does one find good shows to see? First, check TimeOut’s Best in the West End, which is updated from time to time. And I read helpful reviews in The Guardian and Financial Times.

As I mentioned, tickets are often available on short notice, and at reasonable prices. Check around for discount sites if you’re interested; terrific deals are sometimes available. Go!