London Theatre & Theatres

London Theatre Guide to Theatres & Shows

London's Theatre and Theatres, known affectionately as Theatreland, is almost unparalleled in its world standing as a centre for the performing arts. London's rich history has always included drama and much of that has been played out on the city's famous stages.

The dramatic history of London can be traced back to the Elizabethan age when, amongst other theatres around the city, Shakespeare's famous Globe Theatre was built on the South Bank of the Thames. Today the Royal Shakespeare company maintain tradition with performances of the Bard's most famous works daily during the summer months.

In the past decade London's theatres have experienced a resurgance after tough times at the beginning of the millenium. They entertain many thousands of visitors every year with an ecclentic mix of productions to suit all preferences.

List of London Theatres

Savoy Theatre

Address: Strand, London, WC2R 0ET

Website: http://www.savoy-theatre.co.uk

Currently Showing: Legally Blonde: The Musical

The Savoy Theatre opened on 10th October 1881, on the site of the old Savoy Palace in London. The theatre was built by Richard D'Oyly Carte, who wanted to showcase the comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan. The theatre became famous when it was opened as the first public building in the world to be lit entirely by Incandescent lights. The theatre, after suffering demolition in 1929 and being ravaged with a fire in 1990, was reopened and restored on 19th July, 1993. The reopening was done in the presence of HRH The Princess of Wales with a Royal Gala performed by the English National Ballet and a tribute to Gilbert and Sullivan. Theatrical performances returned to the Savoy with Noel Coward's Relative Values. Following this performance the theatre has shown opera, Shakespeare, non-musical plays, and musicals including Fiddler on the Roof, Carousel, Of Mice and Men, Peter Pan, and Blithe Spirit. The original London production of Legally Blonde opened at the Savoy Theatre in December 2009 and is currently being shown.

Prince Edward Theatre

Address: Old Compton Street, London, W1D 4HS

Website: http://prince-edward.official-theatre.co.uk

Currently Showing: The Jersey Boys

The Prince Edward Theatre, named after the Prince of Wales, was opened on 3 April 1930, designed by Edward A. Stone, with an interior designed by Marc-Henry Levi and Gaston Laverdet. It opened with a performance of Rio Rita. Over the years it was used as a cinema and casino, before being converted back to a theatre in 1978, reopening with the world premiere of the musical Evita. The theatre has also showed a revival of Crazy For You, held the premiere of the ABBA musical, Mamma Mia, and hosted Mary Poppins until January 2008.

Lyric Theatre

Address: 29 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7ES

Website: http://www.the-lyric-theatre.co.uk

Currently Showing: Thriller Live

The Lyric Theatre, opened on 17 December 1888, was designed by C. J. Phipps and built by producer Henry J. Leslie. Leslie funded the project with the profits he earned from the successful staging of the comic-opera Dorothy at the Prince of Wales Theatre. The outside of the theatre still remains in its original form, the façade of Dr. William Hunter's 1766 home. However, the rest of the building was gutted to make way for the facilities needed for the theatre. Notable shows at the theatre include The Little Hut, Blood Brothers, and Death of a Salesmen.

Ambassadors Theatre

Address: West Street, London WC2H 9ND

Website: http://www.theambassadorstheatre.co.uk

Currently Showing: Stomp!

The Ambassadors Theatre, one of the smallest West End Theatres, was designed by W G R Sprague, with the intention of being an intimate, smaller theatre. It seats a maximum of 195 people in the Dress Circle, and 251 in the Stalls. Sprague has designed other famous West End theatres as well, including St. Martin's Theatre next door and the Aldwych Theatre in Covent Garden. The longest running production in Britain, The Mousetrap, by Agatha Christie opened at the Ambassadors Theatre on 25th November 1952, and remained at the theatre for 21 years, until it moved to the larger St. Martin's Theatre next door. Following this production the theatre saw a variety of shows including, Les Liasions Dangereuses, Love Song, and the revival of Little Shop of Horrors.

Map of Theatres in London

Below you will find a map showing theatres in London: