Category · theatres
London's has one of the best selection of theatres in the world. Some theatres show musicals while others have traditional theatrical musicals. You may even see some famous actors at these shows.
The Garrick opened in 1889 under the playwright W. S. Gilbert and is one of the smaller West End houses, seating 656. It is named after the eighteenth-century actor David Garrick, and its size makes it one of the more intimate rooms in the West End.
The Gielgud opened in 1906 as the Hicks Theatre, spent most of the century as the Globe, and took its present name in 1994 in honour of John Gielgud. W. G. R. Sprague designed it as one of a pair with the Sondheim next door, and it seats 986.
His Majesty's Theatre is a French Renaissance-style building on the Haymarket, opened in 1897 and seating 1,216 over four levels. It has been the London home of The Phantom of the Opera since 1986, one of the longest continuous runs in West End history.
The Lyric opened in 1888 and is the oldest surviving theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue, predating most of the street around it. C. J. Phipps designed it, and it seats 915 across four levels, down from an original 1,306. It stages plays, musicals and comedy.
Palace Theatre is a magnificent historic venue in London's West End, particularly famous for hosting the spectacular Harry Potter and the Cursed Child production. The theatre amazes audiences with its clever mechanical special effects and enchanting atmosphere. The beautiful architecture, comfortable bar and intermission lounges, and quality service make for a memorable theatre experience.
The Piccadilly Theatre opened on Denman Street in 1928 and seats 1,232. Its art deco interior is one of the best preserved in the West End, and there is a bar on each of the three levels. It sits on a quiet side street a minute from Piccadilly Circus.
The Prince Edward opened on Old Compton Street in 1930 and is one of the larger West End houses, seating around 1,700. It stages long-running musicals, and its outdoor balcony over Soho makes the interval more interesting than most.
The Prince of Wales Theatre on Coventry Street was rebuilt in art deco style in 1937 and seats 1,148 over two levels. Its wide, shallow auditorium gives good sightlines throughout, and it stages long-running musicals a minute from Leicester Square.
The Sondheim Theatre opened on Shaftesbury Avenue in 1907 as the Queen's Theatre and seats 1,074. It has staged Les Misérables since 2004, and was renamed in 2019 after the composer Stephen Sondheim, and it is the first London theatre to carry his name.
St Martin's Theatre opened in 1916 and has staged Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap since 1974 — the longest-running play anywhere in the world. W. G. R. Sprague designed it in Georgian style, and at 553 seats it is one of the smallest West End houses.
The historic Ambassadors Theatre is an intimate venue in London's West End known for its captivating theatrical performances. This charming theatre offers excellent stage visibility and has hosted successful productions like Stomp and Benjamin Button, featuring exceptional acting performances and powerful storytelling that create unforgettable theatrical experiences. The venue's cozy atmosphere and strong productions make it a must-visit destination for theatre enthusiasts.
Theatre Royal Drury Lane is the oldest theatre site in London still in continuous use, with plays staged here since 1663. The present building is the fourth on the site, designed by Benjamin Dean Wyatt and opened in 1812. It seats just under 2,000 across four levels and is the grandest of the West End houses.
The Theatre Royal Haymarket was designed by John Nash and opened in 1821, and its six-column Corinthian portico is one of the most recognisable theatre frontages in London. It seats 888 and has a long association with serious drama and established stars.
Wyndham's opened on 16 November 1899 in the presence of the Prince of Wales, built for the actor-manager Charles Wyndham and designed by W. G. R. Sprague. It seats 759 and stages contemporary work, often with well-known casts.
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