The best alternative theatre shows in London

Fed up with the West End? Seen Mamma Mia! one too many times? Add a twist to your next theatre trip with one of these awesome alternative shows in London. Be adventurous!

Journey to the Underworld

Pedley Street Station
Until 4 November
Hop on board this part-immersive theatre, part-dining experience in east London and embark on a trip to the underworld. Ticket-holders will delight in a sumptuous three-course menu created by BBC’s MasterChef: The Professionals finalist Louise Ellis. Enjoy plates of black garlic gnocchi, pan-seared guinea fowl or salt baked celeriac, and a devilishly-delicious chocolate ganache for pudding.

As for the theatre show, you’ll be joining creepy Claude, the shackled conductor, and his lowly assistant Gordy on a quest to discover the greatest love story never told in a journey towards the deep, dark depths of the underworld…
Ticket prices start from £53.00
funicularproductions.com/journeytotheunderworld

Thunderbirds: Beyond the Horizon

The Buzz at Mercato Metropolitano
7 November – 27 January
THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO! This blast from the past is having a major revival at London’s first purpose-built venue for immersive entertainment, The Buzz at Mercato Metropolitano. As one of London’s coolest haunts, with a huge, vibrant community food market, bringing hundreds of hungry Londoners through its doors, Mercato Metropolitano already has major appeal.

In Thunderbirds: Beyond the Horizon, you’ll be part of an international rescue mission. There’s been a cyber-attack on Brain’s lab and it’s up to the audience to step in and save the day. If a night of immersive theatre, interactive gaming, nostalgia and a bar stocked full of Lady Penelope’s favourite cocktails sounds up your street, then this is the show for you.
£21.00–£56.50
beyondthunderbirds.com

Faulty Towers The Dining Experience

Radisson Blu Hotel, Bloomsbury
Thursday to Sunday throughout the year
Come and dine in London’s most chaotic restaurant and experience lashings of laughter over a three-course feast served by the Fawlty Towers trio, Basil, Sybil and Manuel. This awesome, immersive theatre and dinner show has everything you need if you’re looking for something that little bit extra from the usual west-end productions. Perfect for comedy fans, theatre-goers and lovers of the hit TV sitcom – your boring old evening meal out just hit a whole new level.
£64.50–£74.50
torquaysuitetheatre.com/tickets_london.html

The Grid

Neosight Headquarters, Bankside Arches
Wednesday to Sunday throughout the year
The Grid offers all the theatrics of an on-stage show though is essentially an immersive escape room experience. Alongside actors, you’ll be joining a secret undercover operation to defeat a futuristic system in a bid to defend humanity against machines. Sounds like a head scratcher, doesn’t it… In simple terms, think puzzle rooms while you knock back sci-fi themed-cocktails. Keep your wits about you and stay undercover.
£35.00–£37.00
thegrid.london

Divine Proportions

The Vaults, Waterloo
Tuesdays to Sundays throughout October
Organisers of this theatrical dining and party experience insist you dress the part for a night of heavenly and mischievous fun. Celebrate life like the gods and goddesses you are; be led on a mythological journey that blurs the lines between feast and fantasy. Dig into five sumptuous courses of food before dancing the night away with a host of party starters. This kitschy evening isn’t for the faint-hearted and is, quite honestly, a bit saucy. Basically, don’t bring your mum.
£35.00–£55.00
thevaults.london/divine-proportions