What is the West End?
The West End is London's main theater district, centered around Shaftesbury Avenue, Covent Garden and Leicester Square. It is home to around 40 theaters and is famous for long-running musicals and plays.
The area has been the center of London theater since the 1600s. Many of its theaters were built in the Victorian and Edwardian eras.
Famous long-running productions include The Mousetrap, Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera and The Lion King.
Theatreland
The West End, often called Theatreland, is similar to Broadway in New York. It attracts millions of theatergoers each year.
Discount tickets are sold at the TKTS booth in Leicester Square, and some theaters offer day seats and lotteries.
The Olivier Awards, named after actor Laurence Olivier, celebrate the best in London theater each year. The West End is also known for its shopping streets, restaurants and nightlife. Many famous actors have performed on its stages.
Many productions begin in smaller theaters before transferring to the West End, and some later move to Broadway. Matinee performances are held on certain afternoons, and the busiest times are evenings and weekends, especially during the Christmas season.