New Wimbledon Theatre
About New Wimbledon Theatre
- The large auditorium seats 1,609 people, with 720 in the stalls, 473 in the dress circle, and 416 in the upper circle.
- The best seats are in the central Stalls, especially Row J, with excellent legroom and a great view of the stage. Front seats in the middle section of the dress circle are also perfect for large-scale musicals.
- Seats in the upper circle are generally priced lower and offer uninterrupted sightlines for a good value. Mid-rear dress circle seats are also a bargain, especially those towards the ends of rows.
- The theatre features a large proscenium arch stage which is ideal for musicals, and provides great views throughout the auditorium.
Before theatre connoisseur J B Mulholland converted the site to the Wimbledon Theatre, the venue served as a large residential building. Several celebrities like Gracie Fields, Sybil Thorndike, and Noël Coward frequented the playhouse during the wars and the theater became popular for hosting premieres of notable West End shows. While the country was in the shackles of a brutal war, the common public turned to the theater for refuge. Winston Churchill's daughter also graced the stage during the 1940s with her play Gaslight, as well as the iconic comic duo Laurel and Hardy. It was also frequently hired for television productions, including a cameo appearance in Herbert Lom's The Phantom of the Opera. The theater originally housed an Edwardian ballroom, which has now been converted into an 80-seat Studio for supporting new artists.
Disaster struck in 2003 when the venue was forced to close until Ambassadors Theatre Group purchased the space, and reopened to a successful season - beginning with The Nutcracker in 2004 and culminating with a production of Cats. Since then, the theater has become a prominent name in the city, with a yearly lineup of Disney musicals, touring productions, and the star-studded Christmas pantomime.
- The original design by Cecil Aubrey Massey and Roy Young featured a 3,000-seat auditorium, also believed to have included a Victorian-style Turkish bath.
- Facade: The exterior features a beautiful, rustic brick design, accentuated by off-white windows decorated with plasterwork. The circular dome stands out with a soft turquoise tone, crowned by a balcony with columns in off-white.
- Interior: Despite several renovations, the theater maintains much of its original baroque interiors. The intricate details of the plasterwork and arches are enhanced by the warm tones in the auditorium, dominated by a dramatic red. The ceiling features a beautiful Renaissance-style painting by Signor Buccini.
- Notable features: The dome features a gilded statue of Laetitia, the Roman Goddess of Gaiety, also known as the theater's angel. It was removed during the Second World War over suspicions that it could serve as a directional sign to German soldiers but was later reinstalled in 1991.
- Cats
- We Will Rock You
- Shrek the Musical
- Chicago
- West Side Story
- Jesus Christ Superstar
- The Rocky Horror Show
- Priscilla Queen of the Desert – the Musical
- Footloose – The Musical
- Grease
- Anything Goes
Know Before You Go
- Address: 93 The Broadway, London SW19 1QG, United Kingdom
- Tube: You can take the District Line to Wimbledon Station which is a 7-minute walk to the venue. Other nearby stations include South Wimbledon and Wimbledon Park Station, which are at least a 20-minute walk from the theater.
- Bus: Routes 57, 93, 131, 156, 163, and 164 all stop near the theatre. The closest bus stop is Wimbledon Theatre/Plough Lane, just a 2-minute walk away. Other nearby bus stops include Alexandra Road Stop A & B, and Wimbledon Stop F.
- Tram: If you are around south London, you can take the serene and traffic-free tram route. The Wimbledon Tramlink stop is a short 5-10-minute walk to the theatre.
- Rail: South Western Railway and Thameslink trains connect the rest of the city to Wimbledon Station, a short 5-minute walk from the venue.
- Recommended route: The bus has stops closest to the theater and offers the most affordable route to the venue.
- Washrooms: Toilets are available on all levels, while an accessible, wheelchair-adapted toilet is located at the stall level. This toilet also includes baby-changing facilities.
- Bar: Two bars, one at the stall level and another Piano bar at the dress circle level, serve snacks and beverages before and after the show. Visitors can also get refreshments delivered to their seats by booking a meal online.
- Relaxed performances: The venue hosts exclusive relaxed performances that are designed for patrons who may find visiting a theater daunting or overwhelming. They alter certain elements of the show to be more inclusive and also allow visitors to freely move about or make noise during a performance.
- Sunflower Lanyard scheme: The theater recognizes that all disabilities are not immediately apparent as part of the Sunflower Lanyards scheme. Visitors can collect Sunflower Lanyards at the box office free of charge to alert staff and fellow theatergoers.
- Accessible seating: The stall section at the theater is wheelchair-accessible at the street level. A wheelchair-accessible lift is also available, although seats in the other sections are not completely step-free.
- Assistive Listening: You can access Mobile Connect or Infra-Red hearing assistance systems at the venue upon request. Please contact the theatre staff for information about the devices available.
- Audio Caption: Several performances at the theater are audio-described, BSL-interpreted, and captioned for persons with hearing disabilities. Please check the performances page to check upcoming accessible performances.
- Service animals: Assistance dogs are welcome in all parts of the theater. Please carry a valid proof of requirement to pass the security check.
- Symbol resources: Visitors can collect and download symbol resources to familiarise themselves with characters, plotlines, and other details of a pantomime production. Symbol stories are great learning materials for children visiting the theater for the first time.
- Parking: If traveling with a personal vehicle, you can book a spot at Hartfield Road Car Park, Morrison's Car Park, or Broadway Car Park near the venue. Each is within a 5-minute walk from the theatre.
- Chill-out areas: The theatre hosts dedicated spaces for visitors with special needs, who may want to leave the auditorium during these performances. These chill-out areas allow theatergoers to freely move about and interact while watching the performance.
- Tours: If you'd like to get comfortable with the venue, a kind of performance, or the set before your visit, the theater offers different kinds of tours for assistance. A Visual story provides a visual guide to the theater premises, a Touch Tour allows visitors with visual disabilities to experience the stage up close, and an Orientation visit covers the theater journey from booking to exploring all areas for neurodivergent visitors.
- Explore: As the name suggests, the theater is a few blocks from Wimbledon Village, Wimbledon Museum, Wimbledon Park, and Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum. If you're a tennis fan, explore exclusive guided tours for a behind-the-scenes look at the most prestigious All England Tennis Club.
Nando's Wimbledon: Famous for its flame-grilled Peri-Peri chicken, offering a range of spicy marinades from mild to extra hot. The Afro-Portuguese menu also includes wraps, burgers, salads, and sides.
- Directions
Diba Persian Restaurant: Enjoy an authentic Persian feast featuring traditional dishes, like lamb shank, joojeh kebab, and ghormeh sabzi, in an elegant eatery decorated with Persian rugs and local artwork.
- Directions
Grilandia Wimbledon: This cozy Lebanese restaurant specializes in Mediterranean and Eastern European cuisine, featuring grilled meats, seafood, and fresh salads.
- Directions
Pizza Express: If you're looking for a casual meal, this local pizzeria is a great family-friendly option. Their menu includes classic options like the Margherita and American Hot, and gluten-free and vegan choices.
- Directions
Gourmet Burger Kitchen: Ideal for a relaxed meal with friends or family. The chic restaurant serves a range of gourmet burgers made with high-quality ingredients, including vegetarian options.
- Directions
Frequently asked questions about New Wimbledon Theatre
The New Wimbledon Theatre is located at 93 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1QG, United Kingdom.
You can reach the theatre by taking the District Line or South Western Railway to Wimbledon Station, which is a short walk away. Multiple bus routes also service the area.
The New Wimbledon Theatre has a seating capacity of approximately 1,609 seats.
Yes, the theatre offers wheelchair spaces, accessible toilets, and hearing assistance systems to make the venue more accessible to people with disabilities.
Yes, there are several dining options within walking distance of the theatre. If you'd like to have a hearty meal on a budget, try the delicious grills and Thai curries at Mai Thai Restaurant.
Please avoid carrying any large items as the theater does not have a cloakroom.
No, photography and videography are not permitted inside the auditorium. Please turn off all electronic devices during the show, out of respect for the performers.
