Located on Russell Street near Covent Garden, the Fortune Theatre is an old West End house. Opening in 1924, the theatre is presently owned and managed by the Ambassador Theatre Group, after having been passed down from playwright and author, Laurence Cowen. Construction work on the theatre began in 1922 and the Fortune became the first theatre to be built in London post the first World War. Designed by architect Ernest Schaufelberg, the Fortune Theatre features an Italianate style and is amongst the first few theatres to experiment with concrete construction. The theatre's facade was created from bush hammered concrete while brick piers support the ceiling. Terpsichore, the iconic figurine perched above the entrance was created by M. H. Crichton and is one of the most distinguishing features of the Fortune Theatre.
Originally named the Fortune Thriller Theatre, the theatre features an atmospheric arena and has hosted some equally atmospheric productions in its 94 years of existence. The Fortune Theatre has played host to some of the most iconic names in showbiz including Dame Judi Dench, Dirk Bogarde, and Alan Bennett, Peter Cook, Jonathan Miller, and Dudley Moore. Some notable productions at the Fortune Theatre include Sinners, Mr. Cinders, Nunsense, Beyond The Fringe, and many others.
Venue Details
Address: Russell St, London WC2B 5HH, UK
Opened: 1924
Seating Capacity: 419
Stalls : 189
Dress Circle: 106
Upper Circle: 124
Seating Chart
Check out the Fortune Theatre Seating Plan here.
Now Playing at Fortune Theatre London
Practical Information
Section Accessibility
Stalls: The stalls can be accessed via 21 steps down from the foyer.
Dress Circle: This section can be accessed via 7 steps down from the foyer. The dress circle is the most accessible section in the theatre. Box A can be reached via a side exit on Crown Court with 5 steps. Both box A and row F are ideal for patrons who wish to transfer from a wheelchair to a fixed seat.
Upper Circle: The upper circle section can be accessed via 40 steps from the foyer with handrails available for support. Patrons with limited mobility should avoid this section.
Available Facilities
Wheelchair Accessible: Given the size of the house, the Fortune Theatre, unfortunately, doesn't have many wheelchair accessible seats. There are transfer seats available for wheelchair users who are okay moving to a regular seat during the performance but only one dedicated seat where a wheelchair can fit is available in seats F 16 and 17. If you choose a transfer seat, please rest assured that your wheelchair or scooter will be stored securely.
Restroom: There are toilets available for ladies on all three floors of the Fortune Theatre. Gents toilets are available in the stalls and upper section. A wheelchair accessible toilet is available near Box A in the dress circle section.
Bar: A licensed bar is available on all three levels of the Fortune Theatre. From bottled water and soft drinks to tea and coffee, there are tons of options to choose from.
Assistive Listening System: The Fortune Theatre is equipped with an Infrared sound system to make the show accessible for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing. This can be accessed at the theatre box office. You can also ask for an induction loop necklace if you're carrying a hearing aid or headset to amplify the sound.
Cloakroom: There is a cloakroom facility available at the theatre but only limited baggage can be accommodated. Please avoid bringing large items to the theatre. For each item checked in, there's a charge of £1.
Handy Tips
- The Woman in Black is not suitable for small children and has a guidance rating of 12 and upwards due to the frightening content. Please note that children under 5 years of age won't be admitted to the theatre.
- While guide dogs are not allowed inside the main auditorium to maintain a normal viewing experience for every patron, you are free to bring them into the theatre. A staff member will be present with the dog and look after them in the theatre foyer.
- If legroom is a major criterion for you while deciding which seat to book, avoid most seats in the dress circle since the legroom in this section is nothing to write home about. Opt for seats in the stalls section if you prefer extra leg space.
- While there are bars available in all three levels of the theatre, these bars don't feature a sit-down area so you'll either have to bring your drinks back in to the auditorium or gulp them down at the bar and rush back. A better alternative is to go for a meal before or after the show at one of the many great restaurants available in the Covent Garden area.
- If you wish to purchase some show memorabilia or confectionery, there are many retail outlets available inside the theatre. Ice creams, programmes, and confectionery are all available.
- If you're bringing your own vehicle to the theatre, park it at one of the nearby Q-Park car parks to avail a discount. This discount is available for patrons who have purchased a ticket to one of the participating West End theatres and Fortune Theatre is one of them.
Getting There
The Fortune Theatre is located in Russell Street on Covent Garden, one of the most popular and well-connected areas in London. If you're planning on taking public transport to the theatre, you can tons of options to choose from.
Tube: The nearest tube station to the Fortune Theatre is Covent Garden in the Piccadilly line and Temple Station in the Circle/District line.
Bus: The following bus lines ply close to the theatre: 1, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, 26, 59, 68, 76, 87, 91, 168, 171, 188, 341, and 521.
Vehicle: The nearest car parks are located in Bloomsbury Square and Lincoln Inn Field. A NCP underground car park is also available in Parker Street.
Restaurants near Fortune Theatre London
1. Sarastro: With golden drapes and opera boxes adorning this flamboyant restaurant, you can be assured of a great time ordering delectable Turkish mezzes and mains.
2. The Delauney: Gorge on classic and modern European fare at this all-day brasserie in an elegant cafe surrounding.
3. Balthazar: Get artisanal breads and patisseries all made in-house with sandwiches and coffee for either takeaway or dine-in.
4. San Carlo Cicchetti: Try a seasonal menu of fine Italian fare at this sleek and modern dining room decked with marble tables.
5. Cafe Murano: Leather banquettes and a long marble dining bar for Angela Hartnett's Northern Italian dishes.
6. Christopher's: Enjoy a classic all-day American steakhouse and grill plus martini cocktail bar in this high-ceilinged diner. Discover Spanish delights that are served with sherry, cava and more, at this cosy, diner-style tapas bar.
More West End Guides
For more West End information, here are some helpful quick links!
FAQs: Fortune Theatre London
