<p>Crowded centre of tourism in the middle of London’s “Theatreland” in the west end (any guide book will tell you all about it). The actual market stalls are different every day of the week, but there are also lots of permanent shops. There is usually music inside (it’s not an outdoor market. More like 2 halls full of stalls), such as a string quartet, brass band etc, and some kind of street theatre outside.</p>
<p>OP asked about ‘off Broadway.’ It’s called ‘fringe’ here, also ‘Off West End’ ([OffWestEnd.com</a> - Home - The definitive guide to London’s Off West End theatre scene, featuring listings and details for over 80 theatres, news, discussion and exclusive special offers](<a href=“http://www.offwestend.com/]OffWestEnd.com”>http://www.offwestend.com/)) Leading fringe theatres include the Arcola, the White Bear, Soho Theatre, Camden People’s Theatre… Oh and while I’ve never been to The Moustrap, it’s a favourite with student and school groups so I doubt he’d be the youngest in the audience.</p>
<p>Further to the above, fringe theatres like The Roundhouse, the Donmar and the Menier Chocolate Factory are so established that I didn’t even think of including them in my earlier post. But technically they are ‘off west end’ - their productions regularly transfer to the West End and then across the Atlantic to Broadway, including quite a few Emmy winners. So always worth checking out what’s on there - and although places like the Donmar tend to be sold out - there are always day tickets available if he gets there early. I hear the queue for Rory Kinnear’s Hamlet (at the National, now touring) started around 5 AM!</p>
<p>All great information - he’s interning at the Royal Shakespeare Company so even though Hamlet sounds awesome my guess is he’ll try something else. I’ll pass on the suggestions.</p>
<p>And for Covent Garden Market I just want him to go to the toy store for me.
Thanks!!</p>
<p>rightfit, are you suggesting he’s OD’d on Shakespeare??? But if he’s with the RSC, surely someone there will give him much better advice on what to see than we can. I’d imagine his work mates could not only point him in the right direction, but turn up some comps for him. My D works as a freelance director (mostly fringe) and says that although the pay is pitiful, benefits are good, ie she sees a lot of theatre for free. Kudos to him for arranging an internship from afar - I’m guessing he’s a techie.</p>
<p>I was kidding about The Mousetrap, but at this point it’s really more of a tourist attraction than theater. That doesn’t mean it’s bad, of course.</p>
<p>Thank you, alwaysmom Ive been out of the US too long. I did mean Tonys. Last year two Tony winners (Cage aux Folles & A Little Night Music) originated at the Menier Chocolate Factory; another, Red (which wasnt a hit here) originated at the Donmar. Maybe the hottest ticket here at the moment is Frankenstein, directed by Danny Boyle at the National; lead roles alternate between Jonny Lee Miller and Benedict Cumberbatch on consecutive nights. Opens officially 22 Feb but in preview now. Might be sold out but day tix available. Hunt, of course you are right re The Mousetrap. Im always amazed when visitors (of all ages) want to go but they all seem to enjoy it thoroughly. There is some amazing theatre going on in London D is involved in immersive stuff which frankly is too much for me. OP, she says your son should definitely be able to get some comps through the RSC. Has he checked? I hear a good lighting technician is worth his weight in gold…</p>
<p>I don’t know if he’s checked but I’ll ask him. I didn’t know it was an option but he might.</p>
<p>His time is so limited - would you skip Mousetrap and see something else? Other than Les Mis I think he should go to something he can’t see in the US. Suggestions??</p>
<p>I have no idea about Toy stores in Covent Garden, but there is a really famous and huge toy store in London called Hamleys. It’s in Regent street. If you want toys, that it where you should go. </p>
<p>Covent Garden toyshop do you mean Pollocks? Famous for their toy theatres? I think they charge admission more a toy museum. </p>
<p>OP, sorry if Im missing something but I cant quite understand your role. Are you planning to surprise him with tickets for a weekend worth of theatre? Because he is working with one of the premier theatre companies in the world and surely is best placed to figure out what he wants to see. If you are treating him, you can order theatre vouchers online and he then uses them for the productions he wants to see. </p>
<p>As for something he cant see in the US there is a lot of cross-fertilization between NY and London. But for something he really will never be able to see in the US what about site specific theatre? Have him check out whats on in The Tunnels at the Old Vic (“Kevin Spaceys theatre”). Everything should be listed in TimeOut London. Also hard to make suggestions without knowing dates the National, eg, is on the rep system.</p>
<p>Covent Garden toyshop do you mean Pollocks? Famous for their toy theatres? I think they charge admission more a toy museum. </p>
<p>OP, sorry if Im missing something but I cant quite understand your role. Are you planning to surprise him with tickets for a weekend worth of theatre? Because he is working with one of the premier theatre companies in the world and surely is best placed to figure out what he wants to see. If you are treating him, you can order theatre vouchers online and he then uses them for the productions he wants to see. </p>
<p>As for something he cant see in the US there is a lot of cross-fertilization between NY and London. But for something he really will never be able to see in the US what about site specific theatre? Have him check out whats on in The Tunnels at the Old Vic (“Kevin Spaceys theatre”). Everything should be listed in TimeOut London. Also hard to make suggestions without knowing dates the National, eg, is on the rep system.</p>
<p>He has limited internet access so I’ve been trying to offer suggestions and yes the weekend is our treat. Vouchers sound like a good idea.</p>
<p>I like planning, him not so much. We’d love to visit him there but we can’t this time so the next best thing to me is planning. I’ve gotten a wealth of information on these boards. There are so many people with suggestions and experience to share. I appreciate all the information and I like being able to pass it on.</p>
<p>Pollack’s is the toy store I was talking about. A toy theatre museum sounds fun.</p>