Located in Northumberland Avenue adjacent to the iconic Trafalgar Square, the Playhouse Theatre is a popular West End house. One of the oldest theatres in London, the Playhouse opened on 11th March 1882 with a production of Jacques Offenbach's Madame Favart. The theatre hosted a variety of performances in its initial run, including comic operas, farces and burlesques. In 1905, the theatre underwent major renovation to the designs of Blow and Billerey and officially reopened in 1907 as the Playhouse. After a couple of decades, the theatre was taken over by the BBC as their recording studio and was used for the same purpose till 1977. In 1987, the theatre was restored to its 1907 design and began functioning as a theatre house again. In the late 20th century and early 21st century, the theatre underwent a couple of notable ownership changes but as of December 2013, is 100% owned by ATG.
In its 136 year long existence, the Playhouse Theatre has hosted some truly spectacular shows, such as Three Sisters, The Rocky Horror Show, Dancing in the Streets, Footloose, The Adventures of Tintin, Dreamboats and Petticoats, Monty Python Spamalot, An Inspector's Call, The Kite Runner, The Best Man, Caroline, Or Change and countless others! Presently, the Playhouse Theatre is set to host Fiddler on the Roof, which is transferring from the Menier Chocolate Factory. The production is scheduled to begin playing at the Playhouse from 21st March 2019. If you're planning on catching the musical, but are unaware of which seat to opt for, we have just the thing for you. Our Playhouse Theatre seating plan has everything you need.
Venue Details
Address: Northumberland Ave, London WC2N 5DE, UK
Opened: 11 March 1882
Seating Capacity: 780
Stalls : 360
Dress Circle: 214
Upper Circle: 200-210
Seating Chart
Check out the Playhouse Theatre Seating Plan here.
Now Playing at Playhouse Theatre London
Good to Know
Section Accessibility
Stalls: This section can be accessed without any steps from the theatre foyer and is ideal for wheelchair users. There are 6 transfers available into aisle seats and two wheelchair spaces in row G and J, with companion seats available as well. Aisle seats in this section feature extra legroom.
Dress Circle: This section can be reached after a climb of 28 steps from the theatre foyer.
Upper Circle: The furthest section from the stage, the upper circle can be accessed via 82 steps from the theatre foyer. The theatre doesn't have any customer lift, which means that this section is not ideal for patrons with limited mobility.
Available Facilities
Wheelchair Accessible: The stalls section has wheelchair accessible seats in rows G and J. There are 6 additional transfer seats available in the stalls and the wheelchair can be left with the theatre staff for safe keeping.
Restroom: The Playhouse Theatre has male and female toilets in the basement bar but there are none available at the stalls section. Both the dress circle and upper circle sections have two female and three male toilets in total, with the upper circle having two toilets for men. The main foyer has an adapted toilet which is wheelchair accessible.
Bar: Each section of the theatre, including stalls, dress circle, and upper circle has a bar. The basement also has a bar and a wheelchair accessible bar is located in the main foyer as well. Drinks can also be brought to patrons in their seats.
Assistive Listening System: At present, the Playhouse Theatre does not feature a sound amplification system.
Cloakroom: Large items can be stored at a cloakroom for the duration of the show. Please check with the theatre staff if you're bringing any large baggage.
Handy Tips
- Please note that hot food is not allowed inside the theatre. However, snacks and drinks in plastic containers are allowed inside the auditorium.
- The Playhouse Theatre has a shop which sells show merchandise including those of programmes. Packets of sweets like Minstrels, Eclairs and Wine Gums are also available.
- If you're bringing kids to the show, book seats in the front, central section of the dress circle or the middle of the stalls, since these are generally considered the best seats for kids. The stalls are a great choice because they don't feature any steps and are close to the stage, ensuring that the kids remain engaged with the show.
- Due to the structure of the theatre, there are a lot of restricted seats, especially in the dress circle and upper circle. Browse the Playhouse Theatre seating plan carefully to ensure you don't book seats with a restricted view.
- If you have purchased drinks from any of the bars in the theatre, please remember to transfer them to a plastic cup since anything else won't be allowed inside the auditorium.
- If you need any assistance navigating the theatre, please note that staff are always available to help you find your seats and even help with wheelchair transfers.
Getting There
The Playhouse Theatre is situated next to River Thames and is walking distance from popular London attractions, such as the Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, and St. James’s Park. Given that the theatre is in such a prime locality, there are plenty of ways to get there. Here are our top picks:
Tube: The nearest tube stations are Embankment (Bakerloo, Circle, District and Northern lines) and Charing Cross (Bakerloo and Northern lines).
By Rail : Charing Cross is the nearest National Rail station to the Playhouse Theatre.
Bus: Here are buses you can take to Charing Cross Station, which is walking distance from the theatre: 6, 9, 13, 15, 23, 139, and 176.
Boat: If you're in the mood for an adventure, you can also opt to take a boat to the theatre. The Embankment Pier is close to the Playhouse Theatre. From the pier you can also catch boats to and from other London areas like Greenwich and St. George’s Wharf.
Restaurants near Playhouse Theatre London
1. The Northall: If you're craving seasonal British fare, this high ceilinged hotel dining room with designer lighting is where you to be.
2. Gordon's Wine Bar: Visit this 19th century wine bar in fancy, candlelit and vaulted cellars that feature classic Dickensian-style decor.
3. Sherlock Holmes: Featuring a restaurant and roof garden to boot, this traditional pub features Holmes-themed memorabilia, which gives it much of its appeal.
4. The Princess of Wales: This Nicholson's pub is named after George IV's first wife who he married in secret and never became his queen.
5. Smith & Wollensky: If you're in the mood for some American steaks and wine, this high-end, white-tablecloth spot covered in mahogany is where you should be at.
6. Barrafina: 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: Playhouse Theatre London
