Destination Events

This Spring, why not take a weekend break and fly direct from Galway Airport to London Luton to visit the West End, where an abundance of fantastic shows await you every night of the year.  But with so much choice, it can often be hard to choose which one to see, especially if money is limited. So here's a rundown of some of the shows currently showing in London's West End, all of which will provide a magical night to top off the perfect weekend away.

Tip: If you are looking for discounted or half price theatre tickets, the tkts ticket booths are the best way to snap up theatre tickets on the day of the performance or up to a week in advance for many of the West End's top shows.  Click on the following link for full details http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/tkts/

Book your flights here today!

The Lion King
We've all seen the hit film, but Disney made a great decision when they brought it to the stage. The obvious question is how a musical can be performed with no human characters. But this has simply inspired the creators to produce one of the most incredible performances to hit the West End in years. The costumes have to be seen to be believed, and the actors literally become animals in front of your eyes. This is one musical that has amazed audiences across the world, and it's up there with the best on offer at the moment. It is playing throughout the year at the Lyceum Theatre.

Booking Until: 28 March 2010
Time: Matinees: Wednesday - Saturday 2:00pm
                              Sunday 3:00pm
          Evenings: Tuesday - Saturday 7:30pm
Where: Lyceum Theatre, Wellington Street, WC2E 7RQ
Nearest Tube: Charing Cross Station (10 mins walk) or Piccadilly Line to Covent Garden station and exit into the piazza. The theatre is approximately 10 minutes walk.
Cost: Tickets start at £20.


Les Misérables
Making its first appearance in October 1985, Les Misérables is the longest-running musical in the West End, and there are not many people who are unfamiliar with the name. The plot follows Jean Valjean on his release from the chain gang and his attempts to escape from his past, and is based on the classic novel by Victor Hugo. This musical presents 19th century France in a spectacular and unforgettable fashion, and is showing at the Queen's Theatre.  

Booking Until: 27 February 2010
Time: Matinees: Wednesday - Saturday 2:30pm
          Evenings: Monday- Saturday 7:30pm
Where: Queen's Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue London, W1D 6BA
Nearest Tube: Take the Bakerloo or Piccadilly line to Piccadilly Circus and exit onto Shaftesbury Avenue. The theatre is a 5 minute walk.
Cost: Tickets start at £15

Oliver!
Everyone knows the story of Oliver Twist, Dickens's timeless tale of an orphan boy who manages to survive numerous trials in his young life to finally find his way in the world, and this real classic has now returned to London courtesy of producer Cameron Mackintosh.   The new production at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane is even more spectacular than ever before, starring Rowan Atkinson as Fagin,  Jodie Prenger (winner of the BBC's I'd Do Anything) and a cast and orchestra of over one hundred. 

Booking Until: 28 February 2010
Time: Matinees: Wednesday - Saturday 2:30pm
          Evenings: Monday - Saturday 7:30pm
Where: Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Catherine Street, WC2B 5JF
Nearest Tube:Covent Garden or Holborn
Cost: Tickets start at £17.50

A fairly recent addition to the West End, Wicked is based on the book by Gregory Maguire and follows the story of the Wicked Witch of the West before her role in The Wizard of Oz.  Breaking records all around the world, the musical is responsible for the biggest opening in the history of the West End.  Showing at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre, it made its premier in September 2006 and is performed eight times a week.

Booking Until: 3 April 2010
Time: Matinees: Wednesday - Saturday 2:30pm
          Evenings: Monday - Saturday 7:30pm
Where:Apollo Victoria, 17 Wilton Road London, SW1V 1LL
Nearest Tube:Take the Victoria, District or Circle Line to Victoria Station. Exit via Wilton Rd, the theatre is directly
opposite the station
Cost: Tickets start at £15

Jersey Boys: The Musical
Jersey Boys follows the rags-to-riches tale of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons as they work their way from the streets of Newark to the heights of stardom, and features such hits as 'Sherry,' 'Big Girls Don't Cry,' 'Can't Take My Eyes Off of You,' 'Oh, What a Night' and many more.

Directed by Des McAnuff, with a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and music and lyrics by Bob Crewe and The Four Seasons' own Bob Gaudio, it has won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Actor in a Musical, Best Featured Actor in a Musical and Best Lighting Design of a Musical. 

Booking Until: 27 March 2010
Time: Matinees: Tuesday - Saturday 2:30pm
          Evenings: Monday - Saturday 7:30pm
Where: Prince Edward Theatre, Old Compton Street London, W1D 4HS
Nearest Tube: Take the Piccadilly or Northern line to Leicester Square station. The theatre is a 10 minute walk.
Cost: £20 - £60
Age Restrictions: Please be aware Jersey Boys contains genuine New Jersey language which may not be suitable for younger audiences - parental guidance advised.

Dirty Dancing: The Musical
Dirty Dancing The Classic Story On Stage is an unprecedented live experience, exploding with heart-pounding music, breathtaking emotion and sensationally sexy dancing.
 
Seen by millions across the globe this worldwide smash-hit tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny, two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds, who come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives. Featuring hit songs, including "Hungry Eyes", "Hey Baby", "Do You Love Me?" and the heart stopping "I've Had The Time Of My Life."  
 
Since opening at the Aldwych Theatre on 24 October 2006, Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage has been seen by over a million people!  Don't miss your chance to see this truly spectacular musical theatre event. You'll have the time of your life!
 
Booking Until: April  2010
Time: Matinees: Friday - Saturday 3pm
          Evenings: Monday - Saturday 7.30pm
Where:Aldwych Theatre, Aldwych,  London, WC2B 4DF
Nearest Tube: Holborn (Central and Piccadilly lines), Covent Garden (Piccadilly line, Buses: 11, 15
Cost: £15-£95
Age Restrictions: PG - Parental guidance is advised. The show features a limited amount of mild swearing and themes of a sexual nature.

Legally Blonde: The Musical
College sweetheart and homecoming queen Elle Woods (Sheridan Smith) doesn't take no for an answer. So when her boyfriend, Warner (Duncan James), dumps her for someone serious, Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and heads for Harvard Law School!

Based on the hit movie of the same name, Legally Blonde the Musical is the Broadway sensation created by a top-of-their-class creative team, led by Tony Award-winning director and Olivier nominated choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray). Legally Blonde the Musical will take you from the social whirl of California Campus life to Harvard's Halls of Justice with the West End's brightest new heroine (and of course, her Chihuahua, Bruiser).

Booking Until: 22 May 2010
Time: Matinees: Tuesday - Saturday 2.30pm
          Evenings: Monday - Saturday 7.30pm
Where: Savoy Theatre, The Strand, London WC2R 0ET
Nearest Tube: Take the Northern or Bakerloo Line to Charing Cross station. The theatre is 10 minutes walk.
Cost: £20-£40
Age Restrictions: n/a