London has enjoyed a reputation for quality theatre since
the time of Shakespeare, and despite the continuing prevalence
of fail-safe blockbuster musicals and revenue-spinning star
vehicles, the city still provides a platform for innovation.
The comedy scene in London goes from strength to strength,
so much so that the capital now boasts more comedy venues
than any other city in the world, while comedians who have
made the transition to television also stage shows in major
theatres. Cinema is rather less healthy, for London's repertory
film theatres are a dying breed, edged out by the multiscreen
complexes which show mainstream Hollywood fare some months
behind America. There are a few excellent independent cinemas,
though, including the National Film Theatre, which is the
focus of the richly varied London Film Festival in November.
Current
details of what's on in all these areas can be found in
a number of publications, the most comprehensive being the
weekly Time Out. The Guardian 's "The Guide" section
(free with the paper on Saturdays) and Friday's Evening
Standard are other good sources.
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