London Theatre Direct looks at the coolest theatres in London.

Can you ever trust the weather in the UK?

Thunder and lightning and hail struck overnight and is expected to reappear intermittently throughout the next week together with torrential rain and the risk of flash floods elsewhere in the UK.

The sharp change in weather follows weeks of scorching weather in the capital, with one of the hottest days in the last 20 years recorded. Next week is supposed to be settled but still hot but who can tell for sure?

With all this talk of heat waves and global warming, a deciding factor in choosing what to do in the long, hot summer evenings can often be the temperature. Most theatres in the West End are listed buildings and as such do not have the air conditioning infrastructure of more modern buildings as most theatre goers will tell you, but what they dont tell you is that some of the theatres in the West End are the coolest spots in town. We take a look at the theatres in London that won’t leave you hot and bothered this summer!

Prince of Wales
The art deco Prince of Wales is among the smartest in the West End and comes complete with a recently updated air con system - just as well seeing as it hosts one of the hottest tickets in town.

Currently showing – The Book Of Mormon
 

The Criterion Theatre
This historic Piccadilly venue is one of the oldest air-conditioned playhouses, with a system dating back to a major refurbishment in 1884 (though fear not, it's been updated and serviced a fair few times since).

Currently showing – The 39 Steps

The Noel Coward Theatre
The Grandage season in The Noel Coward brings some of the biggest stars to the stage. Harry Potter fans are currently kept cool by The Noel Coward’s newly redeveloped air conditioning system, with David Williams and Sheridan Smith up soon in Midsummer Night’s Dream. Jude Law will be starring in Henry V this December and even though it will be winter by then, we think some of his loyal fans will need air con!

Currently showing – The Cripple of Inishmaan (until 31 August)


St James Theatre
You would expect a newly built venue to keep its patrons cool and the St James, located on Palace Street in Victoria, doesn't disappoint, with air con in both its main house and studio.

Currently showing – The American Plan (until 10 August)
 

Trafalgar Studios
Ironically, The Trafalgar Studios is currently hosting The Hothouse; the temperatures however are anything but. The Trafalgar Studios are reconfigured and refurbished with the newest air con units keeping theatre lovers comfortable all summer.

Currently showing – The Hothouse  (until 3 August)