London cultural activities

You are living in one of the greatest culturally-rich cities in the world, so get out there and take advantage of the huge variety of cultural activities in this city…and it won’t cost you a fortune.



Student Art Pass
One of the best deals in London is the Student Art Pass – you’ll get free entry to many museums and art galleries and half-price tickets to major exhibitions, and it only costs £5 for the one-year pass!  Get it soon, though, as it’s only offered for a limited time https://www.studentartpass.org/

See some plays in gorgeous London theatres 

The London Theatre for a good list of all the performances in London.

You don’t have to spend a fortune on seats for a fantastic play in London!  We always think of the ‘big’ shows, like Lion King, Les Misérables, Jersey Boys, Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia, etc. – those seats can be very pricey, as they are often sold to large groups of tourists coming into London. Best bet for both price and entertainment value is to look for other plays that are not the ‘best sellers’.  For example, I can’t wait to see Orlando, which is opening soon and is based on the Virginia Woolf novel. Also, I’m looking forward to seeing The Lehman Trilogy, opening in late January 2023 and based on the (in)famous investment firm that collapsed during the Global Finance Crisis (https://thelehmantrilogy.com/ .

And if anyone is a Star Trek fan like I am, you likely remember the character Lieutenant Sulu played by actor George Takei in the early television show.  Well, he has written and produced a play about his life which opens in early January and looks fascinating: https://allegiancemusical.com/

Cultural Venues Worth Visiting 

The Barbican Centre

My favourite cultural venue in London (although it is so hard to choose), is the Barbican Centre which is 20 mins bus ride away from Sidney Webb House, and it’s got everything!  Symphony performances with the London Symphony Orchestra; musicals such as the upcoming classic Our Town, three cinemas playing first-run movies; amazing art exhibitions, great restaurants, architecture tours of this amazing Brutalist building, and more.

• Best deal is the Wild Card seat – pay £10, and when you show up to the venue, they give you any seat which is available, and it is ALWAYS a great seat, usually a £40-£60 seat, for a mere £10. 
  

Tate Modern

For art lovers who like the Impressionists, there is a terrific show now on at the Tate Modern: The Ey Exhibition Cezanne. This will likely sell out so get your tickets soon (and use your Art Pass to get a ticket for half-price!).  

• Must see exhibition: https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/ey-exhibition-cezanne
  

Sadler's Wells

Anyone like dance? You’ve gotta go to see a performance at the world-famous Sadler’s Wells which is not far from the Barbican.  Upcoming shows include The Nutcracker, The Snowman (showing at the Peacock Theatre at LSE!), and an interesting show based on the music of Leonard Cohen opening in February (https://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/leonard-cohens-dance-me/)

There are so many other wonderful cultural centres all over London, including the Southbank Centre, the Royal Opera House, and another favourite of mine – Somerset House, right near LSE.  They have a special skating venue in the middle of the interior square that is amazingly fun to either skate or just watch skaters (sorry, but the English cannot skate…says the Canadian who has skating/hockey in her DNA).

Always eager to give more suggestions, just reach out to me (Donna) to the Subwarden inbox: Sidneywebb.Subwarden@lse.ac.uk!

Donna
Sidney Webb House Subwarden