London's West End Theatres Get The Star Treatment

From Shakespearean actors to celebrity stand-ins there's something for everyone in Theatreland this year.London has attracted a real variety of stars and celebrities this summer. There are some serio...

From Shakespearean actors to celebrity stand-ins there's something for everyone in Theatreland this year.

London has attracted a real variety of stars and celebrities this summer. There are some seriously good actors like Judi Dench, Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart and a good smattering of tv and pop stars for those who just want to see a show with a celebrity in it. What's really good news though is that there are tickets available for pretty much all the shows and plays on in London if you know where to look and there are some good discounts to be found as well so it's really important to shop around.

Dame Judi Dench is currently appearing in Madam De Sade at the Wyndham's Theatre, Charring Cross Road. Tickets start at just 25.00 and there are still some seats available through various ticket agents from now until the 23rd of May. Seeing probably the greatest British actress of her generation may not be as difficult or as expensive as you might think.

Waiting for Godot is playing at the Theatre Royal Haymarket and brings with it a stellar cast. Sir Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart take the two leading roles of Estragon and Vladimir whilst Simon Callow and Ronald Pickup support as Pozzo and Lucky. It's the sort of cast which only assembles once in a decade and Waiting for Godot looks to be a 'must see' play this year. Tickets start at just 16.50 though seats in the stalls will cost you 47.50. Beckett fans should secure their seats soon though as tickets are already becoming hard to find for the run which follows on from a sell-out tour.

Jude Law has his first crack at playing Hamlet when he appears at the Wyndhams Theatre from the 29th of May to the 22nd of August 2009. Tickets cost from just 10 to 32.50, an absolute steal.

Rowan Atkinson has been a big hit as Fagin in Oliver! at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. But despite his enthusiasm for the role he was never going to stay in the show for long. Sure enough the producers recently announced that Mr Atkinson would leave Oliver! on the 18th of July when Omid Djalili would take over. Expect to pay from 17.50 to 85.00 plus booking fees for tickets.

Actor, comedian and presenter Brian Conley will take over as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray when Michael Ball finally hangs up his bouffant wig in July. Mr Conley is no stranger to musical theatre having previously appeared in Jolson, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and most recently The Music Man at the Chichester Festival. He takes over from Michael Ball on the 27th of July. Tickets for Hairspray cost from 22.50 to 85.00.

Despite his name appearing in the title of a controversial musical, US talk Show host Jerry Springer has never actually appeared on the West End stage. However, on June 1st Springer takes on the role of Billy Flynn for a six week stint in Chicago at the Cambridge Theatre. Tickets cost from 30.00 to 85.00 plus booking fees although discounts of 25.50 per ticket have been available recently.

It seems bringing in Pop Idol runner-up Gareth Gates hasn't been enough to take Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat through the summer. The show has posted early closing notices with the curtain falling for the final time on the 30th of May 2009 so if you want to catch Mr Gates you'll need to book soon! Tickets cost from 14.50 to 80.00 but discounts of 16.75 per ticket have been found this week.

Whatever your theatrical tastes there's bound to be a show or play you'll enjoy seeing in London this summer. From some of the best actors of their generation to TV celebrities the stars are shining over the West End this year.