If you’re thinking about catching a show in London in the near future, you might be weighing up your options, looking at what’s on and comparing ticket prices.
The good news is there are loads of great performances taking place across the city right now, the tricky part is choosing which one to see and when to go.
So, if you’re searching for the perfect time to catch a show, a matinee might be the ideal solution.
What is a matinee and why should you choose this option?
A matinee is simply the name given to performances that take place in the daytime rather than the evening. These typically take place in the afternoon, around 2pm to 3pm.
There are often fewer matinee performances, with most West End shows taking place just two to three times per week. But despite being less frequent, these performances come with a few key benefits.
For one thing, these shows offer more competitive ticket prices, sometimes at a fraction of the original cost. What’s more, they tend to have a more relaxed atmosphere as they are quieter than the evening showing and can offer more family-friendly theatre.
This also means that queues to get in or to visit the bar are shorter. Plus, you’re likely to have a bigger choice of available seating.
6 must-see matinee shows
If this all sounds great and you’re thinking about catching a matinee performance, check out our list of the top shows to see right now.
1. The Lion King
Every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon you can join Simba and his friends as he embarks on an adventure to become King of the Pridelands.
You’ll get to enjoy famous characters from the class Disney movie, along with an incredible cast and some impressive (and full-size) puppets of zebras, giraffes and other majestic creatures from the African savannah.
As well as the heartwarming tale of a young lion cub on a journey of discovery, you can also sing along to classic songs by Elton John and Tim Rice, as well as new music written just for the stage show.
There’s a reason this show has been running for more than 16 years in the West End, and what better way to enjoy it than a laid-back matinee performance at the Lyceum Theatre?
2. Matilda The Musical
The Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Matilda The Musical is not to be missed! And you can catch a matinee performance of this award-winning show at London’s Cambridge Theatre on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Based on Roald Dahl’s much-loved book, though you may also have seen the original movie, this is the story of Matilda, a young girl with magical powers.
Up against an obnoxious family and a cruel headmistress, Matilda pairs up with her supportive teacher Miss Honey to teach the grown-ups a lesson.
This incredible stage adaptation was created by Dennis Kelly and the music was produced by award-winning comedian Tim Minchin.
3. Frozen
It’s a pretty safe bet that you’ve heard about Anna and her magical sister Elsa by now! At the very least you’ll have heard the Top-10 (and extremely catchy) hit, Let It Go by Idina Menzel.
Well, now you can experience the whole story, live on stage at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in Covent Garden.
Showing on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons, this heartwarming tale of two sisters is the stage adaptation of the hugely successful Disney movie. Complete with incredible staging, special effects and costumes, you’ll be transported to the kingdom of Arendelle for a truly magical performance.
As well as the hugely popular soundtrack from the movie, you can also enjoy a handful of new songs created just for the stage.
4. The Book of Mormon
Our list has been pretty wholesome so far, but that’s about to change with this next show.
The creators of South Park and Avenue Q teamed up to bring you this laugh-out-loud musical comedy about two young Mormon missionaries who are sent to a remote Ugandan village.
Tasked with converting the locals to the Mormon religion, this satirical masterpiece is a laugh a minute. Including hits like ‘Baptise Me’, ‘Joseph Smith American Moses’ and ‘Spooky Mormon Hell Dream’, the show will have you tapping your feet, and grinning from ear to ear.
Despite some of the more adult content, you don’t have to wait for the evening to catch a show. The Book of Mormon has matinee performances on Friday and Saturday afternoons at the Wales Theatre near Leicester Square.
5. Wicked The Musical
You know the tale of The Wizard of Oz, but do you know what came before?
Wicked is the story of an unlikely friendship between Glinda and Elphaba, two young sorcerers who ultimately went on to become Glinda The Good and The Wicked Witch of the West. The two must battle against opposing personalities and the same love interest to ensure their friendship survives.
As you’d expect, this magical story is complete with an epic soundtrack, including popular hits like ‘Defying Gravity’. So you’d be crazy to miss it!
But don’t just take our word for it, the figures speak for themselves. The show has been seen by over nine million people since its debut and has won more than 100 major awards.
If you want to witness one of the West End’s longest-running musicals, you can catch a matinee performance on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The show is currently running at the Apollo Victoria Theatre.
6. Mamma Mia the Musical
Finally, while many associate this with the hit film starring huge names like Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth, Mamma Mia the Musical actually started life on stage.
The show first opened in the theatre back in 1999 and since then has been seen by more than eight million theatregoers on the West End.
The story follows Sophie, a bride-to-be attempting to find out who her dad is so he can give her away on her big day. The trouble is, there are three potential candidates, so she invites them all along to a Greek island, where hilarity and mishap ultimately ensue.
Set to an incredible soundtrack of ABBA songs, you can spend your afternoon singing your heart out, and matinees take place on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at the Novello Theatre.