T hese breaks are the star of the show. You can get the full theatre experience on our theatre breaks; the perfect chance to enjoy a show-stopping performance and an extended city break with your partner, friends, or theatre-loving family members.

What is your favourite thing about the theatre? Is it the low rumble of voices as you approach your seats? Quenching your thirst at the bar beforehand? Chatting about upcoming performances and your favourite performers?

It’s an experience like no other and a popular pastime favoured by millions of people across the globe and ages.

In the UK alone, there are around 1,100 active theatres. Records show the UK has almost 4,000 theatre buildings. The theatre industry is huge with millions of people flocking each year to see performances.

For avid theatregoers, why not consider a short theatre break where you can book your performance tickets, overnight stay and even rail travel all in one place?

A trip to the theatre is a chance to witness one of the world’s oldest forms of storytelling unfold on stage.

The history of the theatre dates back as far as the 6th Century B.C. to the ancient Greeks. Ancient Greece was the birthplace of three iconic genres: comedy, tragedy and satire.

What began as an oral tradition, the storytelling of myths and legends soon took to the stage in open-air theatres. It was here that Ancient Greece saw the infamous Athenian Tragedy of Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex make its debut.

Fast forward to the 16th century England and William Shakespeare, one of the most prolific playwrights, was actively writing. The bard that heralded from Stratford-upon-Avon saw enormous fame. The theatre in England was a huge sensation amongst the upper and lower classes and a common form of entertainment for all.

Nowadays, theatre takes a lot of influences from its predecessors. The Greeks created the chorus, masks to show emotion and an orchestra at the pit of the stage, whilst many of the words and phrases we use today we owe to Shakespeare (and that's the naked truth!).

How can I get a Theatre Experience?

Our theatre breaks are theatre and hotel packages where you can enjoy the thrill of a trip to the theatre as well as an overnight stay in a fabulous hotel nearby.

We offer tickets for top shows such as Wicked , The Lion King , and Mamma Mia! , classic murder mysteries such as Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap and outrageous comedies such as The Book of Mormon.

What’s more? Our London Theatre breaks also include a river cruise so that you can experience the city during your stay. See the sights of London, including The Globe , Shakespeare’s iconic playhouse, from the comfort of a cruiser deck on the River Thames.

If you’re a fan of the classics, a musical lover, a self-proclaimed drama critic or a theatre first-timer, we’re confident you’ll find something worth seeing; in the city or on stage.

Experience a fusion of showmanship, dance, music, theatrics and passions that appeal to many. You can’t go far wrong. A theatre break is a great getaway with a friend, the perfect gift for your partner or for a large group looking for a night to remember.

If show business isn’t your usual flavour, why not make the most of your trip and extend the duration of your stay to explore the wider city?

A theatre break presents the perfect opportunity to engross yourself in the hubbub of city life with your evening entertainment already taken care of.

Or, if you simply can’t get enough of the bright lights, you don’t have to worry about rushing home after the curtain call. Instead, you can wander back to your nearby hotel or even stop for a nightcap along the way!

It's as simple as 1, 2, 3. Select from a range of productions and hotels from our Theatre Breaks here.

Make the most of your theatre experience and follow our theatre break tips...

1. Add rail tickets to your package

Our theatre breaks give you the option to include tickets for train travel in your package. Meaning you can save yourself the hassle of organising travel, accommodation and entertainment.

2. Enjoy a pre-theatre dinner

Turn your evening into a tasty one with dinner and a show. Have a light bite to eat or something more indulgent in a nearby restaurant before. Start the evening right with some good food to keep any mid-performance hunger at bay.

3. Pre-order refreshments

Some theatres allow you to pre-order refreshments for collection or delivery during the interval. So, if you’ve finished your drink or you’re feeling a bit peckish, you won’t have to miss a second of the performance or stand in a queue at the bar.

Please note: We advise you to pre-order refreshments with the theatre directly, once your booking has been confirmed, to avoid disappointment.

4. Invest in a programme

Buy a programme to commemorate your visit. The programme is dedicated to the production and will offer you snippets of information, exciting news on the cast, the production itself and its history. Flick through your programme as you’re waiting for the lights to go down and the show to start.

5. Check your show times

A matinée performance is an afternoon show (usually around 2 pm), while the evening performance tends to begin around 7:30 pm.

Naturally, the atmosphere of an evening performance brings more of a buzz compared to the gentility of a matinée. However, a matinée performance can give you some additional time to explore the city after your show.

We recommend arriving at the theatre with time to have your tickets scanned, bags checked and queue at the bar (if you so wish). The time stated on your ticket is when the curtains will rise and the show will begin.

Keep show times in mind for when you need to drop off your hotel bags, check-in and get seated for dinner!

For a super exciting and memorable theatre experience, explore the impressive theatre breaks available on Great Little Breaks.