Well it goes without saying that you should check out a couple of shows. Definitely check out the National Theatre, that's on the south bank not far from the Globe. Personally, I've always felt that the NT hosts some of the most inventive, solid and enjoyable theatre that you'll find anywhere in the world. Right next door to the globe is the just opened Sam Wannamaker theatre, a Jacobean style theatre that is exclusively candle lit, creating very atmospheric and moody performances. Also worth catching, if you're able to get a ticket, is anything at The Donmar Warehouse. This us another high quality producing theatre, about a few minutes walk from Covent Garden (which you should also check out in order to see some excellent (and some not so good) street theatre). Be aware that the National Gallery, the Tate Modern, Tate Britain, Natural History museum and the British Musuem are all free entry - so take an afternoon to explore some amazing works of art and impressive historical artifacts (the British Musuem has the Rosetta Stone as well as many Greek artifacts related to theatre).
Be sure to get yourself an Oyster card for traveling around London. Cheapest way to do it, and they'll refund anything you don't use at the end of your trip.
For the experience, and I must admit that I don't know if the season is on right now, it might be worth attending a football match. It's a completely different kettle of fish to any American crowd spectator event, very bizarre and culturally just... Well.
Greenwich is a cool place to visit, where you can see the Meridian line and do that goofy thing from 'A Walk to Remember' and stand in two places at once. Plus, you have the set of Thor 2 to walk around in the form of the university of Greenwich. :)
Realize in advance that England is a sandwich culture. When you're grabbing lunch, you will find an abundance of stores and cafés and such that sell reams and reams of different and somewhat exotic fillings. As an Englander myself, my wife had to point this out to me before I realized.
If you want to see and interact with real British people, you might want to consider a day outside of London, maybe go hang in the provinces. Canterbury in Kent is an hour train ride from London, and has a very quaint feel to it, as well as a fairly interesting (in performance terms) interactive performance if the Canterbury tales, with many actors employed to bring the different roles to life. You could go to Brighton Beach, which is a fairly decent seaside town, again about an hour away from London.
If you had a few days to spare, you could always pop up to the Edinburgh festival and catch some fringe shows, and some good stand up comedy. If in London, the Comedy Store is a great performance venue with different acts each night (stand up, improv, etc).
This is just to get you started! I am English originally, and lived in central London for several years, so if you have other questions about it, let me know!
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Phillip Goodchild
Valrico FL
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-09-2014 16:33
From: Shira Schwartz
Subject: London?
I am heading to London in a few days and, as I've never been there, was wondering what anyone would recommend doing while there? I'll be studying for 3 weeks and will have some weekends and mornings available. Suggestions?
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Shira Schwartz
Chandler Unified School District
Chandler AZ
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