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Nestled on London’s illustrious Shaftesbury Avenue, the Gielgud Theatre first graced the stage in December 1906, originally going by the rather unassuming name of the Hicks Theatre. This architectural gem, designed by the same genius behind the Wyndham Theatre, boasts a fabulous Louis XVI-themed decor that’s fit for royalty—if only the walls could talk! Now owned by Delfont Macintosh Theatres, the Gielgud is famous for hosting shorter performances, proving that good things really do come in petite packages. Gielgud Theatre seating plan will help you find the best seats in the theatre.

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About Gielgud Theatre

  • The initial capacity of the auditorium was 1200 people, with more room for people to stand and watch the performance.
  • It was constructed with three internal levels - the Upper Circle, Gallery and Stalls which have become the Grand Circle, Dress Circle and Stalls after some renovations.
  • Today, the theatre can host a maximum of 974 visitors, with 507 Stall seats, 220 Dress Circle seats and 247 Grand Circle seats.
  • Rows N-P of the Stall have the best overall viewing experience of the stage.

​Gielgud Theatre Seating Plan >

seatmap

The Gielgud Theatre was built at the request of the famous actor and playwright Seymour Hicks. It was originally named the Hicks Theatre in his honour and was renamed in 1909 to the Global Theatre. In 1994, the construction of Shakespeare’s Global Theatre began, and to avoid confusion, the theatre was renamed once again to Gielgud Theatre as we know it today, in honour of John Gielgud.

The theatre opened in 1906 to the performance of The Beauty of Bath, which was transferred from Aldwych Theatre. The Gielgud has a twin theatre called the Queen’s Theatre right around the corner, which suffered huge damage in WW2. In 2006, Delfont Macintosh Theatres took over operational control of the theatre.

  • The theatre was designed by W G R Sprague, who also designed the Wyndham Theatre and the Noel Coward Theatre.
  • The decor colours used at the Gielgud Theatre are a classic ivory tone with gold embellishments.
  • The Gold Leaf of the auditorium, the Regal Staircase, the Oval Gallery and the Tower are some of the notable architectural features of the theatre.

Some of the notable productions that were staged at the theatre include Somerset Maugham's Our Betters, which is a satirical comedy that ran over 500 times in the 1920s. There's a Girl in My Soup was the theatre's longest-running production, which then transferred to the Comedy Theatre. In 1994, the first play at the newly renamed Gielgud Theatre was Hamlet, by Peter Hall. In the summer of 2019, the production of Les Miserables ran at Gielgud until it was transferred to the sister Queen’s Theatre. In March 2022, How to Kill a Mockingbird made its West End debut at the theatre.

Know Before You Go

  • Train: The nearest train station is Charing Cross. The theatre is a 15-minute walk from the station. You will have to pass through Trafalgar Square and Pall Mall, and finally reach the famous Shaftesbury Avenue, where the theatre is located.
  • Tube: The nearest tube stations are Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square, both a mere 10-minute walk away. The Piccadilly Circus station is served by the Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines, while Leicester Square is served by the Northern and Piccadilly lines. Once at the station, take the exit toward Shaftesbury Avenue.
  • Bus: Shaftesbury Avenue is frequented by routes 14, 19 and 38. You could also choose to get off at Piccadilly Circus, which is frequented by routes 6, 12, 23, 88, 94, 139, 159 and 453.
  • Parking: You can park at the Q-Park Theatreland parking zone. At Q-Park, you can avail of a parking scheme with 50% off car parking when validated by theatre staff. Parking fees range from £22 for up to 3 hours, and £29.50 for 4 hours. The other parking zones nearby are the Chinatown car park and at the NCP on Lexington Street. You will also have to pay a Congestion Charge Zone for Central London which costs £11.50 between 7 AM and 6 PM and is free outside this window.
  • Best Mode of Transport: The bus is the most convenient mode of public transport to reach the theatre, as it is located right on Shaftesbury Avenue which is very well connected.
  • Security Check: Security and detection dogs are present at the theatre’s entry.
  • Cloakroom: A cloakroom is present where you can deposit small bags and luggage.
  • Lost and Found: A lost and found centre is present at the theatre that stores lost articles for one month.
  • Bar: There are three bars, located in the Stall, Royal Circle and Balcony. You can purchase alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as snacks, ice creams and chocolates.
  • Guide Dogs: Guide dogs are welcome in the theatre.
  • Accessible Toilets: The wheelchair-accessible toilet is at the Foyer near the bar. 
  • Wheelchair Storage: After transferring to a seat, the theatre staff can store the wheelchair for the duration of the event. 
  • Ramps: Ramps are available to access the Dress Circle, and this section is accessible by scooter as well. 
  • Wheelchair Seats: Seats A3-6 and A30-33 can be removed to make room for 4 wheelchairs along with those accompanying the guests. 
  • In-seat Service: For guests who are wheelchair-bound and unable to access the bar, an in-seat service can be provided. Do ensure you notify the staff beforehand. 
  • Hearing Assistance: Guests who are hard of hearing can avail of hearing aids provided by the theatre. 
  • Visual Story Videos: There are visual story videos published on the website that talk about what to expect while reaching the theatre, for guests who need to ease anxiety before a public outing.
  • Best Seats: The Grand Circle is not recommended for those with limited mobility.
  • Food and Beverage Policy: Outside food or beverages are not allowed inside the theatre. All eatables are to be purchased in-house. The three bars provide snacks, however, they do not provide hot food.
  • Movable Seats: The foyer bar has movable seating and is accessible to those in a wheelchair.
  • Accessibility Assistance: Guests with disabilities can use their Nimbus registration number which is linked to their DMT account to get accessibility assistance.
  • Photography Policy: Avoid using your mobile phones for attending to calls or photographing/recording the performance.
  • Dress Code: There is no dress code in place at the theatre. It is advisable to be comfortable. The theatre is air conditioned - do carry a layer of warm clothing.
  • Age Restrictions: Children under 3 years of age may not be permitted based on the nature of the production. Children under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Arrive Early: Do arrive for the performance early, as you will not be admitted into the theatre after the production has started, or till there is a suitable break in the performance.
  • Haidilao Hot Pot: You can enjoy a post-performance Chinese hot pot at this casual restaurant. 
  • Directions to Haidilao Hot Pot
  • Blacklock Soho: You can enjoy your choice of meats and cocktails at this basement steakhouse.
  • Directions to Blacklock Soho
  • Randall and Aubin: This British restaurant is known for its famous seafood, especially the oysters.
  • Directions to Randall and Aubin
  • The Ivy: This British restaurant is close to St. Martins theatre, and provides an appropriate pre-theatre dining experience.
  • Directions to The Ivy
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Frequently Asked Questions About Gielgud Theatre

The Gielgud Theatre is located on Shaftesbury Avenue, at the corner of Rupert Street, in the City of Westminster, London.