Whois & Analysis for whatsonstage.com

London is the capital and most populous city of England and the United Kingdom.

Standing on the River Thames in the south east of the island of Great Britain, London has been a major settlement for two millennia.

It was founded by the Romans, who named it Londinium.

London's ancient core, the City of London, largely retains its medieval boundaries.

Since at least the 19th century, "London" has also referred to the metropolis around this core, historically split between Middlesex, Essex, Surrey, Kent, and Hertfordshire, which today largely makes up Greater London, governed by the Mayor of London and the London Assembly.

Off West End refers to theatres in London which are not located within London's West End.

The term is a relatively recent one, coined after the similar American term "Off-Broadway" (though without the same strict definition).

It is usually used synonymously with the more widespread term Fringe (or, specifically, "the London Fringe"), but sometimes is also used to refer to more mainstream or commercial theatre which is located within London but outside of the centre, or to especially small and non-commercial theatres located within the centre.

According to the London Theatre Guide, "Smaller theatres, including many pub theatres, are called Fringe, although some of these small theatres are also called Off West End, particularly those located in the West End of London, where most of the big commercial theatres are.

These small theatres can vary in size, with seating capacities of around 40 to 400.".

West End theatre is a common term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of "Theatreland" in and near the West End of London.

Along with New York City's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English-speaking world.

Seeing a West End show is a common tourist activity in London.