This Palace Theatre guide is designed to help you understand theatre, its facilities and directions on how to reach Palace Theatre for your show.
Venue Details
Address: Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1, United Kingdom
Opened: 1891
Seating Capacity: 1400
Check out the Palace Theatre London Seating Plan here >
History Behind the Palace Theatre
The Palace Theatre is a magnificent red-brick building that is located at the junction of Charing Cross Road and Shaftesbury Avenue and can be easily spotted among the other structures. It boasts a seating capacity of 1,400 across four levels including the Stalls, Dress Circle, Grand Circle and Balcony, making it one of the larger venues in the West End. The Palace Theatre was built in 1891, three years after the opening of the Lyric Theatre, making it the second oldest theatre on the street.
Thomas Edward Collcutt was the architect who designed the Palace Theatre, which was commissioned by Richard D’Oyly Carte who had a vision for it to become the home of English grand opera. With this in mind, the theatre opened in January 1891 as the Royal English Opera House with the first production, Arthur Sullivan’s Ivanhoe, being a huge success. However, once the production came to an end, there was no follow-up, causing the building to shut down and be sold by Carte at a loss. The venue was later reopened as the Palace Theatre of Varieties and became very popular. In 1911, the theatre's name was changed to the Palace Theatre and it became home to several popular musicals.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Today, the Palace Theatre is most famous for hosting the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, one of the most popular and critically acclaimed productions in recent years. Based on the beloved book series by J.K. Rowling, the play has been running at the Palace Theatre since June 2016.
Practical Information - Accessibility & Facilities
Accessibility Inside
- The Palace Theatre can be accessed by two steps to the foyer from street level. Wheelchair users can enter the theatre step-free through an exit and are asked to inform a staff member upon arrival.
- The Balcony is reachable by 77 steps, the Upper Circle by 56, and the Dress Circle by 30 steps.
- The Stalls are accessible by three steps down from the foyer and can accommodate one large or two small wheelchairs with their companions, or transfer seats can be provided to any area in the Stalls, with space for up to four wheelchairs to be stored at the back of the theater.
- Unfortunately, there is no access to the bars for those in wheelchairs, but drinks can be brought to their seats within the Stalls.
- The theatre also features an accessible toilet near the exit.
Facilities Inside
Men's and women's restrooms can be found on all levels of the theatre. An accessible restroom is also located in the Stalls area.
The venue provides two cloakrooms.
There are bars available on every floor of the theatre.
Booster seats are not available at the Palace Theatre.
Handy Tips
- For parents attending the theatre with children, choosing the right seating area can be challenging. It is recommended to steer clear of the first few rows in the Stalls because of the height of the stage.
- The best views can be found in the middle of the Stalls and near the front of the Dress Circle.
- Grab a snack before the show, as the show is quite long - around 3 hours and 30 minutes, with limited intermission time.
- If you consider yourself short, keep these in mind - Seats marked as having a restricted view are often difficult for shorter individuals to fully appreciate, and the Balcony has many restrictions.
- To enjoy the best views of the stage, try to select a seat near a central aisle.
Plan Your Visit: Getting There
The nearest tube stations are Leicester Square (3 minute walk), Piccadilly Circus (7 minute walk) and Tottenham Court Road (5 minute walk). Leicester Square station is on the Northern line (between Charing Cross and Tottenham Court Road) and the Piccadilly Line (between Piccadilly Circus and Covent Garden). Piccadilly Circus station is on the Piccadilly Line (between Green Park and Leicester Square) and Bakerloo line (between Oxford Circus and Charing Cross). Tottenham Court Road station is on the Central Line (between Oxford Circus and Holborn) and the Northern Line (between Goodge Street and Leicester Square).
The Palace Theatre is easily accessible from most of the major National Rail London stations. Charing Cross is our nearest National Rail station and is just a 10 minute walk from the theatre. If you are arriving at one of our other major National Rail stations we recommend jumping on the tube for quick onward travel to the theatre. Get the Piccadilly line to Leicester Square for 4 stops from Kings Cross, the Northern line for 4 stops from Euston to Leicester Square, the Bakerloo line to Piccadilly Circus for 3 stops from Waterloo or just 6stops on the Bakerloo line from Paddington to Piccadilly Circus.
The nearest car park is Chinatown on Newport Place. If you’re driving into the West End to see a show, take advantage of Q-Park’s Theatreland Parking Scheme. Save 50% off parking with Q-Park (after 12pm and for up to 4 hours). To qualify, simply present your Q-Park car park ticket for validation at our box office and the car park machine will automatically charge you half price.
The following bus routes stop near the Palace Theatre: 29, 24, 176
Restaurants Near Palace Theatre
Located just 0.5 miles away on Wellington and Tavistock Streets, the steakhouse offers a diverse menu with options such as British dry aged steaks, seafood, and salads. They have a convenient theatre menu available from 5-7pm and 10pm-midnight, and their cocktail bar remains open until 1am. With a great wine list and famous giant martinis, Sophie’s is a great dining option!
Located just 60 meters from the Palace Theatre, the trattoria-style Italian restaurant famous for its authentic pizzas. Using only quality fresh ingredients, the menu includes salads, meat dishes, pizzas, pasta, and delicious desserts in a cozy atmosphere. Some popular dishes include spaghetti alle vongole and antipasto biagio. With dishes available for under £35 per person, Piccolo Diavolo is a great choice for a pre- or post-show meal.
Shack-Fuyu is a restaurant inspired by Japanese Yoshoku cuisine, a Western-style of cooking that's popular in Japan. It serves a variety of dishes designed for sharing and a lunch menu featuring guo bao buns and side dishes. Currently, they have a limited menu available for outdoor seating. The restaurant has a range of seating options including cozy booths, intimate tables, a communal table, a casual counter, and a private dining room.
The Ivy is a longstanding restaurant in London that has been a staple of the city's dining scene since 1917. It's known for its glamour, with a central dining bar that's a highlight, and signature stained-glass windows, oak paneling, and contemporary art collection. The restaurant features seasonal menus that incorporates more Asian dishes, salads, and seafood. Customers can dine at the central bar without a reservation.
FAQs
The Palace Theatre is located in the Shaftesbury Avenue in London.
The Palace Theatre has a total of 1400 seats split across four levels.
The Palace Theatre has bars at all levels, restrooms, and cloakrooms.
Yes, the Palace Theatre has accessible seating in the stalls.
The closest tube station to Palace Theatre would be Leicester Square.
