You will find that the Brits are not so much into movies as many other countries. The good thing is they have kept those small cinemas up and running, while developing the big, popcorn, eight screens kind of place.

If you like the retro-Italian-village kind of venue, near school you can go to the Baker Street cinema. It tends to show more "educated" kind of movies, as opposed to Schwarzenegger type ones. But they do show some nice, relaxing movies.

If you like the huge, massive screen, try Odeon or Warner Village venues. Near LBS, you can go to the Odeon Swiss Cottage, the Odeon Camden Town or the Odeon Marble Arch (all give student discounts, and LBS partners' cards work as well!!). The Warner Village Finchley Road gives discounts only to holders of the ISIC card.

There are tons of other movie theatres throughout London, many near Leicester Square. In this area, there's the Prince Charles cinema, which offers second-run films for a reduced rate if you'd rather see it on the big screen than rent it at home. Check online to see what's playing. (They also have Sing-a-long with the Sound of Music, but at £10, this may not be on a student's budget.)

For new releases, it's best to order tickets beforehand over the phone (check out www.odeon.co.uk and www.warnervillage.co.uk). Theatres tend to get crowded and in some there are assigned seats. Also, don't forget to bring those candy bars and snacks with you. If you're trying to save money while you're here, it's always cheaper to buy these outside the theatre.

For more about cinemas in London, look at the NetLondon website.

Videos -- Videos at Blockbuster cost roughly 3 pounds. It is less expensive to rent movies from your local library. Videos are a good alternative to the cinemas which charge upwards of £7/person.

Libraries -- I don't need to tell you that libraries = free books. Bring proof of address when you apply for the card. You must go to a library in your "council". For example, if you live close to the school, you live in Westminster and can only go to Westminster libraries. If you live in Swiss Cottage or Camden Town, your council is Camden and you can only go to Camden libraries. Some libraries are better than others so explore the ones in your council. The Marylebone Library lets you rent movies (VHS and DVD) for £1.50.

THEATRE

For reduced price tickets, there's the Half Price Ticket Booth at Leicester Square. Be aware that the Ticket Booth sells tickets only for shows that are playing that day, and their ticket selection is limited.

If you're willing to take a chance, you can get student tickets at most theatres an hour before the show for a price, which is usually even less than half price. There's also something where you can go an hour before the show and try to get returned tickets, but I've never done this and don't know if it works. They tell you not to use any of the low-cost sellers besides the Half Price Ticket Booth, but there again, haven't tried it, so don't know.

Useful sites to check listings and/or buy tickets:

• TIme Out London
• London Theatre Guide
• Keith Prowse Ticketing
• Ticketmaster

• Cats, at the New London Theatre (Drury Lane and Parker Street)
  
• Chicago, at the Adelphi (Strand, WC2E 7NA)
  
• Fame, at the Cambridge (Earlham Street, WC2 9HU)
  
• Kiss Me, Kate, at the Victoria Palace Theatre (Victoria St, SW1E5EA)
  
• Mamma Mia!, at the Prince Edward (Old Compton Street, W1V 6HS)
  
• Lion King, at the Lyceum Theatre (Wellington Street, off Strand)
  
• Les Miserables, at the Palace (Shaftesbury Avenue, W1V 8AY)
  
• My Fair Lady, at the Drury Lane, Theatre Royal (Catherine Street, WC2B 5JF)
  
• The Phantom of the Opera, at Her Majesty's (Haymarket, SW1Y 4QR)

It's wild, it's wacky and it takes a little getting used to. Unfortunately, everything in England has a price, and as far as the TV goes, it's the evil TV licence.

Those TV police will try to get you in two ways: (1) you have to fill out a form with name and address when you buy the TV and (2) if you do get cable, they know for sure you have a TV. There's also a rumour that the TV police go around with special devices that can track TV signals inside your flat, but this has never been confirmed.

What I do know is that they can come around knocking on your door, demanding to see your TV licence. But remember, they can't confirm you have a TV if you don't let them in. Beware that the TV police may masquerade themselves as postmen or the like so make sure you know whom you're opening the door to. Your best bet is just to pay the TV licence, which is a hefty sum at over £100/year. Buy your TV Licence, or you will be fined over and over again.

SPORT

The Partners Club has its own sports and leisure chair, who coordinates ice skating trips and park visits among other outings.

Partners are also recruited and encouraged to join in on student sports and teams. Don't be shy, it is a great way to get to know people and make friends.

Get your muscles working!!! Once you get to London, you'll probably find yourself with more spare time than you expected. Which means... you're out of excuses to skip workout.

And the good news is: there are options for everyone!! You can either go to the Gym and/or Pool @ Taunton (yes, partners' cards have access there) or have a nice outdoor workout at Regent's Park, joining any of the sports teams the school has.

And for a nice relaxing time when your muscles are sore, you can try the Jacuzzi, the Sauna or the Turkish Bath, again at Taunton.

Fitness Centre (fitnesscentre@london.edu)
Get the opening times and class listings from the forum.

LBS Sports Clubs

• Men's Football
• Men's Rugby
• Rock & Mountain
• Sailing
• Snow
• Women's Football
• Women's Touch Rugby
• Swimming

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