Cinnamon Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 Are we mad to even consider it? We are going to see 'The Phantom of the Opera' on Thursday & I kind of forgot about The Olympics being on this summer (I try to block out as much about the Olympics as I possibly can) We have somewhere to park thanks to The Husband being a Freemason,but its the getting into town that I am concerned about Maybe we should let the train take the strain this time? I do love driving (or being driven) around London though - so much to see Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 I was just reading this when i saw your post. aperfectstorm There is a picture of a road I couldn't find online which shows that it has been divided into a bus lane and a VIP lane. Big fine if you go in either so you have to be clear of the times they operate which could be difficult because some are flexible. We tend to avoid London roads unless we're on the bike during normal times. I'm not going near the place by any means until everything has finished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 I'd be interested to hear how you get on. OH has booked us tickets for a West End show (Spamalot - I HATE Monty Python ) during the Olympics - no wonder the tickets were reduced Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted July 17, 2012 Author Share Posted July 17, 2012 (edited) I have just read that the Olympic lanes are not fully operational until the 25th,so can be used by anyone until then,but as they are marked out for Olympic use only,people are avoiding them,so causing traffic build up. I need to look into this a bit more I think. 'Spamalot' eh Chucky Mama? - I would hate that too Our tickets were cheap too - a partnership discount,so we got them for £60 each,& have premium seating & it includes a 3 course meal & wine afterwards. Not only that,but I can claim back £60 on my annual ticket subsidy,so I will,in effect,get both tickets for £60 Edited July 17, 2012 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 I shan't bother going into town until it's all over. Phil is going in to catch an exhibition so I'll let you know how he finds it. Personally I'd take the train if I had to go right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 This is the photo - it's quite funny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted July 17, 2012 Author Share Posted July 17, 2012 HERE is the article I found ,just in case anyone else wants to see the chart of road & lane closures too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 We went into London on Saturday on the train and it was very busy, the Central and Picadilly lines on the tube were packed too. This was before the athletes started to arrive but there were a couple of big events on. I think we will keep away until later in the year now. Enjoy your show, sounds like a lovely evening out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 I don't know exactly where the Olympic lanes are, but I shouldn't have thought it would be any worse on Thursday in central London than it normally is ... it's usually pretty slow in the West End but I can't see why traffic there would be much worse than usual, and if you have somewhere to park then I'd go for it. I'm expecting things to be much worse on public transport, and on the roads where there are closures/special lanes, which are mainly outside the centre as I understand it, but I wouldn't have thought the centre would be affected so much. Bear in mind that the Mall is closed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 I wouldn't drive in London normally, but now with some of the olympic lanes open (some dont come into operation until the 25th) the traffic will be (and is at the moment) really, really bad. You have to pay the £8 congestion charge too. The train would be the best bet, and the tube isn't that busy (yet). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 Wouldnt drive even though I live in London - too expensive to park and during week theres the Congestion charge. Bus is good if you want to see the sights and people watch but only if not in a hurry. Tube ok - but full of idiots and overcrowded - despite living in London I avoid West End as much as poss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lydia Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 I drive into the West End all the time - if there's 4 of you it works out much cheaper than the train especially if you take advantage of the half price parking scheme that most theatres opt into. Even if there's only 2 of you it about breaks even. Yes there's the congestion charge but if you time it right so you enter the zone after 6pm then it's free. The West End is always busy, even at 12am on a Monday evening there are still masses of cars and people milling around so you always have to have your wits about you so I don't think it'll be too much different during the Olympic silliness. The difficult bit will probably be negotiating the special lanes on the M4 but once you're past all that I think it'll be a much better journey than squashing into the train and tube with tired and lost tourists. Enjoy the show! I saw Love Never Dies but Phantom is still on my To Do list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted July 18, 2012 Author Share Posted July 18, 2012 Thanks - we will decide tonight & I will report back Congestion charge isn't a problem & parking is free for us & right in the heart of theatre land too,so driving seems a more pleasant option than the train...its a matinee showing so the rush hour shouldn't affect us (hopefully!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted July 18, 2012 Share Posted July 18, 2012 In that case, drive, but leave plenty of time because there is usually a lot of traffic, but if you are early, you can always enjoy the sights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 Just back & am happy to report that the traffic was lighter than normal. A bit by the Embankment on the way in,but apart from that it was just brilliant. Phantom was AMAZING....not what I expected at all & our meal at Brumus over the road was delicious too. Also had the best Mojito of my life in a Fridays! A good day.....we are going to try to see a show a year now...any suggestions what next? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Glad you enjoyed it Sarah; I saw Phantom when it first came out in '86. I lived and worked in London in those days and it was a treat from a very generous friend. Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman starred and it was just magical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted July 19, 2012 Share Posted July 19, 2012 Glad you had a good time No idea what shows to suggest it's been years since we did a show in London Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted July 19, 2012 Author Share Posted July 19, 2012 Magical is exactly how I would describe it too,Clare. It was so ,so good & even though I booked it months ago,this has come at a good time. My husbands Dad died on Sunday & even though it was very expected & he is more relieved than anything,he needed a boost after days of sorting the arrangements. It's been a bit of a year for this family,with one thing & another,so this was a very welcome break from reality. Its worth doing once a year,as I get a really generous ticket allowance from my employers.....otherwise it wouldn't be cost effective for us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lydia Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Glad you enjoyed the show. I really must get around to seeing that one. As for what to see next I would recommend The 39 Steps at the Criterion. It's not big and brash like a musical but it is very funny and very well done with just 4 actors playing all the parts. Plus tickets are often cheaper and you can get lots of 2 for 1 deals. Les Mis is always worth a look if you haven't already seen it. I would see it again and again if I could afford it. Chariots of Fire has recently opened at the Gielgud and is getting good reviews although I haven't seen it myself. They've decked out the theatre so that the running track goes around the audience. I think Jesus Christ Superstar will come back to the West End soon too. Despite the awful TV show thingy the arena tour shows have pretty much sold out so I reckon a West End transfer is on the cards, possibly at the Palladium when The Wizard of Oz closes. Sorry to hear about your father in law. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted July 20, 2012 Author Share Posted July 20, 2012 The ones that appealed as we were wandering were 'One man,Two Guv'nors' & 'Singing in the rain',which looks really good . But by this time next year there may be something new. I REALLY wish I had seem Priscilla. Jesus Christ doesn't appeal,despite the awesome Tim Minchin being in it I do quite fancy 'The War of the Worlds' at the big arenas later this winter too..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lydia Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 I meant to say about One Man Two Guv'nors! Again it's on my To Do list but the reviews are fantastic. I don't know much about Singing in the Rain other than knowing Scarlett Strallen is in it. There is talk of a Priscilla tour and these things usually call in at the Oxford New Theatre so perhaps you can catch it after all. It was fabulous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 20, 2012 Share Posted July 20, 2012 Singing in the Rain is absolutely brilliant, I was a bit nervous about it because I love the film so much and couldn't believe it would work on stage, but it did. Don't sit in the front two rows of the stalls unless you're prepared to get soaked, though! Last night I went to see 'Sweeney Todd' with Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton in it - possibly one of the best shows I've ever seen. Not to everyone's taste I appreciate, but if you like Sondheim it is one not to be missed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted July 20, 2012 Author Share Posted July 20, 2012 Yes,we saw that when we were walking around - The Husband would love to see it,along with The Woman in Black,but its not my thing at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted July 22, 2012 Share Posted July 22, 2012 Sorry about your FIL I'm glad that getting to London was no trouble. I'd also recommend Woman in Black and The 39 Steps. We took our YS to see 39 Steps and we all thought it was fantastic. YS was one of the first to stand up and applaud at the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superkitty Posted July 22, 2012 Share Posted July 22, 2012 I can recommend Wicked (seen it twice!) and went to see We Will Rock You a couple of months ago, which was a really good night Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
