Going behind the curtain can be an eye-opening experience. The sheer scale of West End theatres such as Drury Lane, the National or the Royal Opera House is hugely impressive and a backstage tour is a great opportunity to see the hidden world of costume departments, scene-building and technical magic.
1
National Theatre Insight into the backstage life of the UK’s national theatre complex. South Bank, London, SE1 9PX (Map) Website2
Barbican Backstage Tours The Royal Shakespeare Company tours of the Barbican offer a compelling behind-the-scenes look at the workings of one of our great theatre companies. (Only available hen the RSC is in residence). Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS Website3
Royal Opera House A fascinating peek into the workings of one of the world’s great theatres. Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9DD (Map) Website4
Shakespeare’s Globe A tour of the theatre and exhibition entry to the recreation of Shakespeare’s theatre 21 New Globe Walk, London , SE1 9DT (Map) Website5
London Coliseum Explore Frank Matcham’s masterpiece theatre and home to English National Opera. St. Martin’s Lane, London, WC2N 4ES (Map) WebsiteDate: 7 June 2019
Written by: Chris Raven
Tags: Five of the Best
Dose the lion king have a backstage tour?
I would recommend anyone to have a tour of the Coliseum which has a fascinating history and grand, over-the-top interior. We were lucky to be the only two people on our tour and our guide, who was also an actress, gave us a wonderful insight into this unique building.
We also toured the Royal Opera House and even though we had a short time in the auditorium because of a rehearsal, we couldn’t fault any aspect of the visit particularly when Carlos Acosta strolled past us with all the hauteur that one would expect from someone so famous.
I’m looking for a backstage tour etc for pupils from my dancing school , hoping for Theatre Royal Drury Lane London, wondered about seeing a performance and then the tour or vice versa, is this possible please?
Thank you
To be honest, the back stage tour of the Opera House, Covent Garden (which wasn’t ‘backstage’ at all really) was a little disappointing, although the guide was OK. I have heard that the National Theatre and Drury Lane tours are excellent.
hi sorry its not a review but a question, how do u book a back stage tour for drury lane as we r going in a few weeks to watch a show and thought it would be a good idea and how much do they cost on a saturday?
Hi Helen – visit the Back Stage Tours page of the Really Useful Theatres website (they own the Theatre Royal Drury Lane): http://www.reallyusefultheatres.co.uk/specials-vip-hospitality/offers/tours
can you please put on here the apollo victoria theatre
Sorry Aaron, the Apollo Victoria doesn’t currently run a regular scheduled backstage tour