West End Excursions
We can cater for day excursions to any show on London's West End with packages including ticket and travel under one price. It's also possible to combine with other attractions or residential stay. Our theatre excursions include a bespoke West End Workshop which offer an unrivalled range of unique creative learning experiences. The workshops can be tailored to the age and ability of your students, to any style of theatre and performance, and to any productions you are studying or going to see on your trip. Allowing your students access to this goldmine of culture and knowledge is a rewarding and memorable experience with application to a huge variety of subjects including English Language and Literature, Drama, History and Cultural Studies. All shows mentioned here offer educational support packages including workshops, Q&A and study aids. Please ask for more information. Please click "places to visit" for a small selection of the many shows currently available on the West End. Please be aware travel and ticket day excursion packages are only available to schools in East Anglia.
Curriculum Links:
Linked to Drama, Cultural, Art, English and History
PLACES TO VISIT
Wicked
Wicked tells the untold story of an unlikely but profound friendship between two sorcery students. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfil their destinies as Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
The show is now booking until May 2020 at Apollo Victoria Theatre.
Wicked can be linked with Drama, Music, English and PSHE as it teaches anti-bullying as well as valuable lessons in relationships and self-belief.
Matilda The Musical
Matilda The Musical tells the story of Matilda, a young, bright girl who is born into a family who don’t appreciate her. Besides her parents she also has to put up with starting a new school where the horrible Miss Trunchbull is the head teacher. Along the way, Matilda discovers she has powers and finds escapism from the world she lives in.
The show is running at Cambridge Theatre in London and is taking bookings until 24th May 2020.
Matilda can be tied in with English and Drama studies.
Kinky Boots
Kinky Boots follows the story of Charlie Price who is struggling to live up to his father’s expectations in continuing the family business in their shoe factory, Price & Son. However, help arrives in the form of Lola, a drag performer in need of some new stilettos. Charlie returns to his factory to solve the problem and starts creating shoes for his new niche market to try and save the business.
The show is currently showing at the Adelphi Theatre in London and has educational links to Design, History and Art.
Les Misérables
Cameron Mackintosh’s production of the Boublil and Schönberg musical Les Misérables has rightly cemented itself as one of the greatest stage productions in history, picking up a huge variety of awards over its 30 year span.
Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, Les Misérables tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption – a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. Ex-convict Jean Valjean is hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine’s young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever.
Booking until 29th June 2019.
This show is great for Music, Drama, History and English.
The Play That Goes Wrong
The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society are putting on a 1920s murder mystery, but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong... does! The accident-prone thespians battle against all odds to make it through to their final curtain call, with hilarious consequences!
The show is running at Duchess Theatre in London and now booking until 27th October 2019.
The Play That Goes Wrong can be tied in with English, Drama and PSHE.
The Lion King
Based on the Disney animation film, The Lion King is the story of Simba the young lion cub, as he journeys through life and struggles to accept the responsibilities of adulthood and his destined role of King.
The show is currently booking until 29th September 2019 at the Lyceum Theatre.
This show can be tied to English, Music, Drama and Design.
Itinerary Example
1-Day Express Drama & Performance:
West End Theatre Experience
Designed for your organisations drama departments, performing arts groups, and literature classes seeking a focused, unforgettable London theatre outing in a single day. Departing early by coach or train, this trip gives travellers hands-on backstage insight, practical performance skills, and a top-tier West End show with zero overnight accommodation costs.
Journey to London & Backstage Theatre Tour (Performing Arts Focus)
Morning
Early Morning: Depart your organisation early by coach or train for central London.
Mid Morning: Arrive in the West End for a private guided tour of an iconic venue such as National Theatre or Shakespeare's Globe. Step behind the scenes to explore costume departments, set workshops, lighting rigs, and stage mechanics.
West End Drama Workshop & Covent Garden Street Performers (Drama & Stagecraft)
Afternoon
Lunch: Packed lunches or group meal time in historic Covent Garden, where travellers can observe live street performers and visual artists.
Early Afternoon: Participate in an interactive, practitioner-led workshop run by West End professionals at a central rehearsal studio. Focus on musical theatre, stage combat, physical theatre, or text interpretation linked directly to your chosen show.
Matinee or Evening Show & Homeward Journey
Evening
Late Afternoon / Evening: Take your seats for a top West End show such as Wicked, The Lion King, Hamilton, Les Misérables, or Matilda The Musical.
Late Evening: Board your coach or train immediately following the curtain call for the return journey back to your organisation, bringing home endless performance inspiration.
Optional En Route Visits & Extensions
Depending on your your organisation location and departure schedule, popular alternative or add on stops for this 1-day route include:
Theatre Museum Workshops: Tailored sessions on stage makeup, costume design, or lighting operation.
Covent Garden Street Theatre Analysis: Structured observational tasks focusing on audience engagement and street performance techniques.
Q&A with West End Cast or Crew: Post-show talks arranged with cast members to ask questions about acting careers and production roles.
Note on Show Selection: Matinee performances on Wednesdays and Thursdays allow for an earlier evening return to your organisation, while weekend or evening shows offer maximum time in central London.