Mustn’t miss London 2012 - A Mid-Summer Olympics Night Dream

Posted by: Angelina Lawson

A Mid-Summer Olympics Night Dream

During the 2012 Olympics the world had its eye on London. The vast amounts of history behind the famous landmarks such as the London Eye and the famous London Tower Bridge gave spectators and tourists a first-hand account of the greatness that this city has to offer to the world. Most of the people, who made the trip to London to view the Olympic summer games came for more popular events such as swimming and track and field, filled the remainder of their time by seeing such lovely attractions as Abby Road and the Houses of Parliament. But, perhaps the most underrated attractions that London has to offer and Olympic attendees were able to discover is the historic district of legendary theatres.

London has a rich theatrical history that includes the construction of legendary theatres that have been used to house the performances of some of the greatest shows in history. In London, Aldwych is home to some of the most majestic theatres in the entire city. These theatres were constructed by the well-known architect, W.G. Sprague and include the likes of The Noel Coward New Theatre, the Aldwych Theatre, and the Gielgud theatre. Among these theatres is one of the most historic and revered theatres designed by Sprague which dates back to 1905.
 

The 1905 Novello Theatre stands as a vital component to the cultural life of the West End that Olympic enthusiasts explored eagerly. The theatre itself, unlike many of the others in the area, has been extremely successful throughout the decades due to its many incarnations. It has undergone many name changes during its lifetime. It was originally titled the Waldorf Theatre. Soon afterward it took the title of the Strand theatre. It was then changed to the Whitney Theatre. The theatre enthusiasts among the Olympic visitors were familiar with its historic facades and found its current name to take nothing away from the quality performances that it consistently puts into production. Between 2005 and 2009 the theatre was the home to the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company.

During the Olympic games, visitors were able to enjoy shows of world renown and top quality dining in the surrounding area once the games had ceased for the evening. The shows included breath-taking productions such as “A Mid-Summer Night's Dream,” “Cabaret,” and “Henry V.” During the Olympics, the theatre district stood proudly among the many possible cultural experiences that London is treasured for.