By Tom Degun

solt dont_miss_the_real_show_21-03-121March 25 - The Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and Transport for London (TfL) have released a special travel guide for West End theatre goers during the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in an attempt to ensure minimum disruption to one of the capital's biggest visitor attractions.

The travel guide features top tips for journey planning and ordering tickets in order to help both theatres and theatre goers consolidate their plans for London 2012.

It is available on the Official London Theatre website at www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/theatre2012 and on the TfL website at www.tfl.gov.uk/2012, as well as being rolled out across the theatre industry.

"I am delighted to be working closely with Transport for London to ensure that audiences have the most accurate information possible for planning their trip to the theatre during the Olympic period," said Julian Bird, the chief executive of the SOLT.

"Twenty nine productions have already announced that they will be playing next summer and advances for 2012 are looking strong.

"A trip to one of London's world famous shows is a great addition to any Olympic itinerary or the perfect antidote to a summer of sport."

During the Games, there will be major impacts on the transport networks due to the huge influx of visitors to the capital but key stations serving the West End will be open with no additional disruption expected for the vast majority of the day.

This is due to the fact that the majority of the sporting events will take place on the Olympic Park which is located in Stratford in East London.

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It is anticipated that with careful planning, West End theatre goers should be able to avoid the "hot spot" areas at their most pressurised points during the day.

In fact, it is considered that a trip to the theatre after work or following a Games event could be a way for London's commuters and visitors to avoid the most affected areas.

"We have two clear objectives at TfL; to support the delivery of a great London 2012 Games and ensure we keep London moving and open for business next summer," said London's Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy.

"With 95 per cent of West End theatres a 15 minute walk, or less, from mainline stations, and with Tube trains running an hour later during the Olympics, there's every reason for people to head to the theatres in their droves next summer."

The West End contains many of the city's major tourist attractions, shops, businesses, government buildings and entertainment venues while it is currently the most expensive location in the world in which to rent office space.

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