Cambridge Theatre
One of the five theatres to open in London in 1930, the Cambridge Theatre is a popular West End house. The theatre is designed by Wimperis, Simpson, and Guthrie and occupies a triangular site on Seven Dials near Covent Garden. The Cambridge features interior design by Serge Chermayeff and Anthony Gibbons Grinling, who sculpted the friezes that are visible to date. The theatre boasts one of the most attractive interiors in the West End, having undergone restoration in 1987 after a series of internal changes. Seating Capacity: 1231 The Cambridge Theatre Seating Plan will help you find the best seats in the theatre.
About Cambridge Theatre
- Cambridge Theatre can seat 1,242 people at any given time. The seating arrangement is divided into three different sections - 503 Stalls, 444 Upper Circle, and 295 Dress Circle.
- The first two to three rows in the Upper Circle and the Dress Circle offer excellent views of the stage as well as the theatre. The Stalls, without a doubt, offer the best views of the stage and should be the ones you book for an immersive experience.
- The Cambridge Theatre Seating Plan will help you find the best seats in the theatre.
Cambridge Theatre Seating Plan >
Cambridge Theatre opened on 4th September 1930 with Andre Charlot’s Masquerade, a revue by Ronald Jeans. It did not taste success for several years due to which it was handed over to film for a while. Then, it again enjoyed a good run of several productions including A Night In Venice, Billy Liar, Half A Sixpence, and a few opera and ballet performances before it was again turned into a cinema in 1967 for about a year.
Later, Cambridge Theatre staged several successful musicals and plays, most of which were revivals. The London premiere of the Broadway show Chicago was held here. In 1984, it went through a major conversion and reopened with The Magic Castle, a production that was fraught with funding problems and other issues causing it to close after a year.
Following its closure, Cambridge Theatre was bought by Stoll Moss Theatres in 1986. They renovated and restored the building to its 1930s splendour and reopened it with a production of Peter Pan in 1987. The theatre tasted success again with productions like Budgie, Return To The Forbidden Planet, Fame, and Jerry Singer The Opera doing well. In 2011, a musical on Roald Dahl’s Matilda opened and has been running successfully ever since at the theatre.
- Designed by Wimperis, Simpson and Guthrie with interiors done by Serge Chermayeff, Cambridge Theatre is a steel and concrete three-storeyed structure known for its symmetrical design.
- It’s a rare example of a London Theatre designed in the modern, expressionist style that thrived in Germany in the 1920s.
- Cambridge Theatre was renovated and refurbished in 1950 with the original gold and silver decor replaced with red paint.
- Chandeliers and candelabras were also added. However, in 1987, it was decided that the theatre would undergo refurbishing again and be restored to its original decor and splendour.
- The theatre now features a circular entrance foyer, bronze friezes depicting nude figures in exercise poses created by sculptor Anthony Gibbons Grinling, shiny steelwork, concealed lighting, and touches of bright colours.
Cambridge Theatre has been witness to several noteworthy musicals, plays, and revues over the years. Celebrities like Audrey Hepburn, Peter O’Toole, Ian McKellen, Ingrid Bergman, and more have performed here in several memorable productions. Here is a list of a few notable productions that have been staged at Cambridge Theatre:
- Masquerade (1930)
- Heartbreak House (1943)
- Sauce Tartare (1949)
- Billy Liar (1960-1962)
- Half a Sixpence (1963)
- The Black Mikado (1975)
- Return to the Forbidden Planet (1989)
- Jerry Springer –The Opera (2003)
- Matilda The Musical (2011-Present)
Know Before You Go
- Bus: Board bus numbers 14, 19, 24, 38, or 176 and get off at Charing Cross Road or Shaftesbury Avenue. The theatre is a 5-minute walk from both locations.
- Train: Take a train to Charing Cross rail station. The theatre is a 15-minute walk from the station.
- Tube: Take a tube to Covent Garden or Leicester Square from the Piccadilly Line. Cambridge Theatre is a 5-minute walk from both underground stations.
- Car: You can also take a taxi or drive down to the theatre if you have a car.
- Parking: Car parking facilities are available in Chinatown and Covent Garden. The daily congestion charges apply.
- Food & Drinks: You can carry snacks and drinks in plastic containers inside the auditorium.
- Bar: The theatre has three bar areas and several kiosks selling snacks.
- Cloakroom: A cloakroom is available at the theatre where you store large items for a small fee.
- Booster Cushions: The theatre has limited booster cushions for children sitting in the Stalls.
- Toilets: There are toilets available on each level for everyone, including those with reduced mobility.
- Gift Shop: Buy merchandise and souvenirs at the gift shop inside the theatre.
- Water: Water filling stations are available at the bar.
Visual
- The theatre provides trained access hosts to assist visually impaired people and those with reduced mobility.
Auditory & Speech
- The theatre hosts accessible performances from time to time. These include audio-described, captioned, BSL-interpreted and relaxed performances.
- They have an Infra-Red audio enhancement system in place for hearing-impaired visitors. Headsets and hearing aid loops are also available at the Stalls Kiosk located in the Stalls Corridor.
Motor/Mobility
- The theatre provides step-free access to the main foyer and inside the Stalls level for those with disabilities.
- Transfer seats are available for 4 wheelchair users and 2 scooter users. An usher is available to store and bring back the wheelchairs and scooters.
- The auditorium has dedicated park spaces for wheelchairs.
Others
- Toilets: The theatre is equipped with toilets for people with disabilities located close to the Stalls seating entrance. These toilets have step-free access.
- Medications: They have provisions in place for those who wish to carry medication or medical equipment, food or drinks inside the theatre to deal with a medical condition.
- Assistance Dogs: Assistance dogs are allowed inside the theatre. The staff will be happy to take care of four dogs per performance while you enjoy your visit.
- Trained Staff: The trained access hosts are always available to assist you with any help that you might need.
- Book Online: Book your tickets for shows at Cambridge Theatre, London online and in advance.
- Reach Early: Make sure you reach the theatre at least 15 minutes before the show starts. Some shows do not entertain latecomers.
- Drinks: If you wish to carry the drink you bought at the bar inside the auditorium, make sure you transfer them into plastic cups before going for the show.
- Food Policy: Carrying hot food inside the premises is strictly prohibited.
- Photography Policy: Photography, videography, and the use of all kinds of camera equipment is strictly prohibited once the show begins. You can click pictures before the show starts.
- Masala Zone Covent Garden: If you’re in the mood for some Indian food, then Masala Zone Covent Garden is the place for you. This restaurant serves a scrumptious selection of classic Indian dishes including authentic curries, biryani, and chaat.
- Directions to Masala Zone Covent Garden
- The Escapologist Bar London: This funky and vibrant Victorian-style bar offers some great cocktails, burgers, and pizza. Do have a look at the beautiful artwork on display while you’re here.
- Directions to The Escapologist Bar London
- Rosa's Thai Café Seven Dials: Head to this café for some mouth-watering and delicious Thai food made using carefully sourced ingredients. They have a vegan menu available too.
- Directions to Rosa's Thai Café Seven Dials
- Hawksmoor Seven Dials: This is where you go for juicy steaks and seafood. This place is nothing less than a paradise for meat lovers looking for a nice meal to gorge on before going for a show at Cambridge Theatre.
- Directions to Hawksmoor Seven Dials
Frequently Asked Questions About Cambridge Theatre
Cambridge Theatre is located on a corner site in London’s Earlham Street facing Seven Dials.
You can reach Cambridge Theatre via train, bus, tube, or car.
Cambridge Theatre has staged several productions including musicals, ballet, plays, and operas. A few notable ones include Masquerade, A Night In Venice, Billy Liar, Half A Sixpence, and Matilda among others.
There are three seating sections available - Stall, Dress Circle, and Upper Circle. Stalls offer the best views of the stage while the other two offer excellent views of the stage as well as the theatre.
Yes. Cambridge Theatre is accessible to people with reduced mobility.
The price of the tickets depends on the show that you choose to watch and the timing of the same.
You can book your tickets to shows playing at the Cambridge Theatre online at London Theatre Tickets. You will get the best deals and discounts and all the information you need at your fingertips.
Yes. There are quite a few dining options available near Cambridge Theatre such as The Ivy, Masala Zone Covent Garden, The Escapologist Bar London, Hawksmoor Seven Dials, and more.
There are quite a few attractions near Cambridge Theatre that you can explore before you go for a show. Some of these include Trafalgar Square, London Eye, The British Museum, Neal’s Yard, and Ambassadors Theatre.
