The Aldwych Theatre was constructed in 1905 along together with the Novello Theatre by designer W. G. R. Sprague. Walter Wallis of Balham designed the theatre and added the ornate Georgian-style decorations. The Aldwych quickly built a reputation for the quality of shows it hosted, particularly the series of comedies which played at the theatre beginning in 1925. Later, in the 1960s, the theatre became renowned for another series of plays, this time governed by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Their reign on the theatre lasted for 21 years and saw some of Britain’s best known and respected actors grace the stage in the works of the Bard. Post this remarkable time, the theatre was bought by the Nederlander Organization who currently own it.
Over the years, the Aldwych Theatre has hosted some truly wonderful and remarkable musicals like A Cuckoo in the Nest, A Night Like This, The Balcony, Travesties, Whistle Down The Wind, Fame – The Musical, Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage, and recently, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. In 2018, the theatre began hosting the production of Tina - The Tina Turner Musical, based on the life of rock and roll legend Tina Turner.
Venue Details
Address: 49 Aldwych, London WC2B 4DF, UK
Opened: 1905
Seating Capacity: 1200
Seating Chart: Check out the Aldwych Theatre London Seating Plan.
Now Playing at Aldwych Theatre
Practical Information
Accessible Seating
In row C of Dress Circle, seats 1 and 25 are wheelchair. The seats can be accessed from street level and each seat can be removed to accommodate a wheelchair. Boxes D and E are accessible from street level and can accommodate one wheelchair each.
Available Facilities
Assistive Listening System: The theatre has a Sennheiser Mobile Connect System assistance system, and headsets are available on a first-come first-served basis. It's best to carry your own headphones.
Bar: The Dress Circle bar opens an hour before the show begins while the Stalls and Grand Circle bar open 30 minutes before the show begins.
Cloakroom: The Aldwych Theatre has a cloakroom in the foyer with a charge of £1 per item. Please note that oversized items are not allowed in the auditorium.
Guide dogs: Guide dogs are allowed in the theatre. There are specific seats in the auditorium for those wishing to stay with their dogs. Alternatively, staff are happy to dog sit.
Toilets: The accessible toilet is located in the theatre foyer and is accessible from street level. Additional toilets are located in the theatre foyer, the rear stalls exit, grand circle rear exit, and the grand circle bar (six steps leading up).
Handy Tips
- The Aldwych Theatre is air-conditioned and it can get pretty chilly so please dress accordingly.
- While there are no cafes or restaurants inside the theatre, there are two cafés next door. The theatre is also only a short distance from Covent Garden which has a large selection of restaurants, many of which offer a pre-theatre menu.
- Seats in stalls C1 and C21, row J1-5, row J19-23 and row Z1-2 offer full leg room since there’s nothing directly in front of them.
- Please note Z1-4 are partially upholstered flip-down seats with a restricted view of the performance.
Getting There
Tube: Covent Garden (Piccadilly line), Holborn (Central and Piccadilly lines) and Charing Cross (Northern and Bakerloo lines) are the nearest tube stations.
Bus: The following bus routes connect to Aldwych Theatre: 1, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, 26, 59, 68, 76, 87, 91, 168, 171, 172, 188, 243 and 341
Restaurants near Aldwych Theatre London
1. The Delaunay: All-day brasserie in elegant grand cafe surrounds, serving modern and classic European menu.
2. Loch Fyne Seafood & Grill Restaurant: Upscale chain restaurant serving sustainably sourced British fish & seafood, plus some meat dishes.
3. ROKA Aldwych: Sushi and Japanese dishes in a rustic, contemporary dining room with a central, open-grill kitchen.
4. Hot Pot: San Carlo Cicchetti: A seasonal menu of Italian small plates, served in a sleek modern dining room with marble tables.
5. Cafe Murano: Leather banquettes and a long marble dining bar for Angela Hartnett’s Northern Italian dishes.
6. Sarastro: Opera boxes and gold drapes adorn this flamboyant restaurant serving Turkish mezes and mains.
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