As London gears up for Christmas, it’s a great time for an overnight trip or a mini-break to the capital. Your clients can take in the lights, from Oxford Street to the South Bank (including my favourite, Carnaby Street), go gift shopping and take in a show or two.
London has about 40 theatres in and around the West End, so whether your clients fancy a musical, a comedy or a whodunnit thriller, there’ll be a performance they’ll love.
A good way to start the evening is with a meal at a restaurant in the heart of London’s theatreland, many of which have set pre-theatre menus, which are served super-fast and are usually well-priced.
I recently sampled the pre-theatre menu at Sophie’s Steakhouse in Soho, which is just a short walk from popular West End shows such as Les Misérables.
It’s a lively, stylish venue with a lovely cocktail bar, and firepit where you can watch its speciality steaks being prepared. The theatre menu is limited, but my winter vegetable soup followed by pulled pork with coleslaw was good, and I just had time to wolf down a half portion of delicious Burnt Cheesecake with berries before heading off to a show.
Afterwards, I went to the magnificent County Hall on the South Bank to see Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution. The former council chamber is a fantastic setting for the court room drama, which leaves audiences guessing the outcome till the very last minute. I mean Agatha never disappoints, does she?!
If your clients prefer a good belly laugh, I can highly recommend The Play that Goes Wrong, London’s longest-running comedy. A sign outside the Duchess Theatre in London’s Soho says “It’s as though The Mousetrap has been taken over by Monty Python” and I couldn’t put it better myself. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much on a night out!
The author was provided with a complimentary meal at Sophie’s Steakhouse and theatre tickets by Made.
