Skip to main content‌

His Majesty's Theatre

Haymarket, St. James's, London SW1Y 4QL, UK
Vertical Product Card Shimmer
Vertical Product Card Shimmer
Vertical Product Card Shimmer
Vertical Product Card Shimmer
Vertical Product Card Shimmer
Vertical Product Card Shimmer

About His Majesty's Theatre

  • His Majesty’s Theatre can seat 1231 people at any given time. 
  • The auditorium is divided into four sections - 513 Stalls, 285 Royal Circle, 330 Grand Circle and 103 Balcony. 
  • There are quite a few seats with restricted views due to pillars, overhanging, and rails. 
  • It is advisable to get seats in the Stalls for the best views of the stage as well as the performances.

​His Majesty's Theatre Seating Plan >

seatmap

The fourth building to be constructed on the site, His Majesty’s Theatre first opened as The Queen’s theatre in 1705 with an Italian opera as its maiden production. In 1714, the name was changed to The King’s Theatre when King George I accessed the throne. It continued to stage successful productions until a fire in 1789 destroyed the building.

The second theatre opened two years later only to become the home of the Drury Lane Company while their theatre was being built. In 1837, the theatre was renamed His Majesty’s Theatre after Queen Victoria took the throne. A fire in 1867 destroyed it after which the theatre was rebuilt. However, it shut in 1890 and was demolished a couple of years later.

In 1896, actor-manager His bert Beerbohm Tree acquired the site and laid the foundation stone of a new theatre. His Majesty’s Theatre opened a year later and has, since then, staged many Shakespeare productions, literary adaptations, dramas, plays, and musicals. It is all set to change its name again to His Majesty’s Theatre following the coronation of King Charles III on 6th May 2023.

  • Charles J. Phipps designed His Majesty’s Theatre as a symmetrical pair with The Carlton Hotel and the restaurant on the site (now occupied by the New Zealand House) adjacent to the theatre. 
  • Spread over four levels, the interiors of the theatre were designed by consulting architect W.H. Romaine Walker with the Stalls and Pit on the ground floor, the Dress and Family circles on the first floor, and the Upper Circle, Amphitheatre, and Gallery on the second tier.
  • There are attic floors on the top surmounted by large French Renaissance-style domes. 
  • The first floor features Corinthian-style stone columns that rise to the second floor to form a loggia in front of the circle foyer. 
  • The auditorium design includes private boxes in each tier, marble columns, velvet curtains, tapestries, and embroidered silk hangings. 
  • The theatre is considered to be Phipps’ finest work and is a Grade II listed building in London.

Here’s a list of some stellar productions that have been staged at His Majesty’s Theatre over the years:

  • The Tinker’s Wedding (1909)
  • Chu Chin Chow (1916)
  • Oh, Kay! (1927)
  • Bitter Sweet (1929)
  • The Good Companions (1931)
  • Brigadoon (1949)
  • West Side Story (1958)
  • Fiddler on the Roof (1967)
  • A Poke in the Eye (With a Sharp Stick) (1976)
  • The Phantom of the Opera (1986 - Present)

Know Before You Go

  • Bus: Take routes 6, 13, 15, 23, 139, 159, or 453 and get off at Haymarket or Regent Street St James bus stops. The theatre is approximately a 5-minute walk from there.
  • Tube: The nearest underground stations are Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines) and Charing Cross (Northern and Bakerloo lines). The theatre is a four-minute walk from both stations.
  • Rail: Take a train to Charing Cross Station. The theatre is a 7-minute walk from there.
  • Parking: Car parking facilities are available in Trafalgar Square and St. Martin’s Street. Daily congestion charges for Central London apply.
  • Cloakrooms: There is a cloakroom at the theatre available for a nominal fee to store large bags and items.
  • Bars: There are three bars at the Stalls, Royal Circle, and Grand Circle levels. Snacks and beverages or drinks can be taken inside the auditorium in plastic containers.
  • Washrooms: Toilet facilities, including accessible ones, are available at the rear of the Stalls, Royal Circle and Grand Circle. 
  • Gift Shop: There is a Merchandise Kiosk located in the foyer for those who wish to buy gifts and souvenirs.
  • Water Stations: Water-filling stations are also available inside the theatre.

Visual:

  • Seating arrangements are in place for visually impaired guests.
  • Audio-description services are available for visually impaired patrons.
  • The theatre periodically hosts Audio-Described, Captioned, BSL Interpreted and Relaxed performances.

Auditory & Speech:  

  • An Infra-Red audio enhancement system is available at the theatre for deaf or hearing impaired guests.
  • Headsets and hearing aid loops are available for the deaf or hearing-impaired patrons.

Motor/Mobility: 

  • Step-free access is available at the main entrance on Haymarket while the accessible entrance is available on Charles II Street with direct access to the Stalls.
  • There are three dedicated non-transferrable wheelchair spaces in rows E, J and M (aisle seats). 
  • Any aisle seat in the Stalls can be used for guests who wish to transfer from a wheelchair into a theatre seat. Access hosts will look after your wheelchair during the performance.
  • The Stalls Auditorium (via Charles II Street) has level access to the theatre while the Champagne Bar (foyer) and Merchandise Kiosk (foyer) have step-free access.

Other:

  • Food and drinks can be brought to the disabled inside the auditorium.
  • Access adapted toilets are located by the entrance on Charles II Street.
  • Trained access hosts are available at all times for assistance.
  • Assistance dogs are allowed inside the theatre. The staff will look after them while you enjoy the performance.
  • Those with medical requirements are allowed to carry food, drinks, medicines, or any equipment that they need to manage their medical condition.
  • Book Online: Book your tickets online and in advance to avoid the issue of tickets getting sold out.
  • Reach Early: Make sure you reach the theatre at least 15-20 minutes before the show starts. The theatre does not usually entertain latecomers. If you are late, you will have to wait until the first suitable break to be seated.
  • Photography Restrictions: Photography, videography, or the use of any kind of camera equipment is strictly prohibited inside the auditorium.
  • Food Restrictions: Carrying hot food inside the theatre is not allowed.
  • Drinking Rules: Drinks bought at the bar must be transferred into plastic cups before you take them inside the auditorium.
  • Accessible Seats: It is advisable for those with reduced mobility to book seats in the Stalls as the other sections do not have step-free access.
  • Merchandise Shop: Pick up some gifts and souvenirs from the Merchandise Kiosk in the foyer.
  • The Ivy: This art deco-style restaurant is a popular celebrity haunt serving modern British food as well as a pre-theatre menu.
  • Directions to The Ivy
  • Brumus Bar & Restaurant: This modern European restaurant with embroidered seats and Indian artwork offers a quite eclectic vibe and delicious food.
  • Directions to Brumus Bar & Restaurant
  • Farzi London: This restaurant with an industrial setting and lively bar offers a modern take on traditional Indian cuisine that is sure to appeal to your senses.
  • Directions to Farzi London
  • Machiya: This restaurant serves traditional Japanese cuisine along with heady cocktails, whiskey, and shakes.
  • Directions to Machiya
  • VietCafe Haymarket: This budget-friendly eatery with vibrant and contemporary decor serves traditional Vietnamese cuisine.
  • Directions to VietCafe Haymarket
‌
‌
‌
‌
‌

Frequently Asked Questions About His Majesty's Theatre

His Majesty's Theatre is located on Haymarket around the corner from Pall Mall in the City of Westminster in London.