The Entertainment Genre in London Theatres
The entertainment genre in London Theatres offers a wide variety of shows. Examples include comedy, pantomimes, multi-skilled quartets of acrobats, musicians and dancers, free running, cabarets, and shadow puppetry just to name a few. Other examples include a dancing tribute to Michael Jackson, called Thriller Live at the Lyric Theatre, and Stomp, the addition of dance, theatre comedy and percussion that is known internationally.
Comedy Shows in Theatreland
Comedian shows are plentiful in London Theatreland. Try a night with Andy Osho, called Afroblighty, which is based around her experiences with her race in the UK from a childhood in London to the current day. It's suitable for those aged 16 and over and talks about her encounters with Lenny Henry, minstrel shows, the BNP and the first black president of America. The Comedy Store Players at the Open Air Theatre supply a night of improvisation meanwhile the famous Danny Bhoy hosts a night of Messenger (Please do not Shoot) at Bloomsbury Theatre. Jenny Éclair does Old Dog New Tricks also at the Bloomsbury Theatre. Jeremy Hardy, Dom Joly and Jimmy Carr are other comedians featured this year.
Other Entertainment Shows in Theatreland
There are some very unique, informative and innovative shows on the circuit. Simon Callow is the main feature in Being Shakespeare, held at Trafalgar Studios 1, which teaches about the main characters of Shakespeare and is being directed by Tom Cairns. He has appeared before in productions of Twelfth Night and movie roles like Four Weddings and a Funeral and Amadeus. Derren Brown's Svengali appears at Shaftesbury Theatre with his unique brand of psychological illusion. Free Run at Udderbelly is a display of free running that shows parkour, martial arts and stunts. 3RUN is the UK's greatest running team and have won 15 Guinness World Records. Horrible Histories at the New Wimbledon Theatre features stories about the Awful Egyptians and Rotten Romans with special 3D effects. Learn what it's like to be ruled by Ramses the Great, to build the pyramids, to enter the Gate of the Afterlife, and to encounter decay from the meanest mummies in Egypt. In Rome experience the scary tactics of the Roman army. A Comedy Club 4 Kids for children is a unique stand-up comedy show without the rude bits. The E4 Udderbelly on the South Bank features the show after its successful performance at the Soho Theatre.
Pantomime Shows in Theatreland
Aladdin marks the beginning of the Christmas pantomime season at the Lyric Hammersmith - suitable for those aged 6 and over, it features a monkey, Widow Twankey, a magic lamp and a flying carpet. Dick Wittington is a new pantomime on at New Wimbledon theatre and stars Dame Edna Everage. Jack and the Beanstalk is another show on at the Shaw Theatre directed by John-Jackson Almond.
Cabaret Shows in Theatreland
Circa at the Barbican plays its show again with a mix of circus, cabaret and vaudeville which manages to mix physical prowess with poetry. Meanwhile The Flying Karamazov Brothers at the Vaudeville Theatre bring to the stage a multi-skilled quartet of not only comedians, acrobats, jugglers and dancers but also philosophers and musicians.