A diverse and vibrant city, London possesses some of the best and most interesting places of entertainment in the UK. From performances to historic casinos, let’s take a look at how London became – and remains to be – the focal point of the UK’s entertainment industry.
Acting the Part
Just as Broadway is to New York and the US, the West End represents the best theatre on offer in the UK. The West End is made up of 39 theatres, the oldest of which is the Theatre Royal on Drury Lane, which has hosted performances since 1663. Another notable theatre is The Savoy Theatre, which was commissioned to celebrate the comic greats of Gilbert and Sullivan. In 1881, The Savoy became the first public building to be lit entirely by electricity, during an afternoon performance of Patience.
Over the decades, a multitude of Great British actors have made their names by treading the boards in the West End, such as Judi Dench, Helen Mirren, and Ian McKellen, cementing London’s West End as the highest standard of theatre in the UK. Nowadays, the area is widely referred to as Theatreland – an entity in its own right – and continues to host performances of musicals, comedies, traditional plays, and modern compositions alike. These performances have grown in popularity so much that they are now live-streamed and broadcast to cinemas throughout the country.
Of course, once film rose to prominence, where better to lay down the roots for film studios than the UK’s focal point for actors? With many performers already residing in and around London for the theatre, film and TV studios began popping up in the area. Now, London is considered the home of the UK film industry, with numerous world-famous studios like Elstree, Pinewood, Warner Bros., and 3 Mills in the area.
Casino Capital
London has some of the most historic and impressive casinos in the UK, with a few different casino districts to choose from. In fact, the popularity of London’s casinos has transformed the casino industry over the last few decades. Nowadays, they have spread beyond the capital and major cities alike, and are widely available online. Players can delve into classic online casino games like 20p Roulette, 9 Pots of Gold, Fishin’ Frenzy, and Eye of Horus from the comfort of their homes, for authentic gameplay without having to travel to the capital.
However, if you do head off to London as the focal point of the casino industry, the more commercial casinos are situated around Leicester Square, with The Hippodrome Casino, Empire Casino, and the Grosvenor Casino further out towards Piccadilly. The Hippodrome in particular has a fascinating history. Opened in 1900 as a venue for circus and variety performances, it is one of the few of such venues to still exist.
More exclusive casinos can be found around Mayfair, most of which require players to become a member of the club to keep with the tradition. These private casino clubs require black tie attire and often have a dedicated doorman, making it a unique and high-end experience. Mayfair was also once home to Britain’s oldest casino, the Crockford Club, which unfortunately closed its doors earlier this year.
As you can see, London’s ability to innovate allowed the city to explore new avenues of entertainment, paving the way for trends that swept the country. With this in mind, it is clear that London remains to be the focal point for the UK’s entertainment industry.
