In a large, busy town like London, you’d think that paying to see people behave in unusual, often very emotional, ways wouldn’t be something many people would do. And yet, the London stage has never wanted for audiences. In the late sixteenth century, following the conflicts of the English Reformation, the popularity of theatrical performances exploded. Helped along by luminaries like Shakespeare and Marlowe, the theatre flourished under Queen Elizabeth I, and, in spite of the cruel Puritanism of the English Civil War, continued largely unabated up to the present day.

Although for a long time, only two companies were officially sanctioned by the crown, that has never really put a damper on the variety of London flights of theatrical fancy. In the past, companies found a way to work around the stranglehold of the King’s and Duke’s Companies – putting on musicals, operas, and even inventing entirely new theatrical forms. Now, the duopoly no longer exists, but the London stage is still brimming with verve and invention.

If you have your London flights booked and ready, consider going to the West End between meetings (if you’re there for business) or other sight-seeing excursions (if you’re a tourist). On the West End, you can see the Royal Shakespeare Company performing the Shakespeare’s classic tales, or any number of modern musical productions, from the ditzy fun of Legally Blonde to a celebration of Steven Sondheim. There’s drama and comedy for every taste: Whether it’s The Mousetrap or Martin McDonagh, it’s probably playing, and definitely worth paying for.

But don’t let the newly-rebranded “Theatreland” of the West End be your only theatrical excursion. London is also home to a number of “fringe” theatres, which often feature more down-to-earth entertainments, as opposed to the big time theatres found on the West End. If you’re traveling with children, you might consider looking into smaller theatres: The prices are a little less fantastical, but the performances are sterling. Many of these theatres also either specialize in or occasionally offer performances for children, especially around Christmastime – in the past, such children’s novels as Skellig by David Almond and The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman have been recreated on the stage.

Whether you’re in London as a resident, as a long-term visitor, or even just for a weekend, be sure to take some time and experience the entertainment for which London is famous for.