Shaftesbury Theatre
About Shaftesbury Theatre
- Shaftesbury Theatre can accommodate 1408 people at once.
- There are 395 Royal Circle, 750 Stalls, and 263 Grand Circle seats available in each section.
- The front stalls are divided into two sections, and the back stalls are divided into three additional units.
- Seats 10-26 in rows D-H in the centre of the Stalls of the Shaftesbury Theatre are considered the best seats.
- Although you can view the entire stage from your seat, sitting in the middle makes for the best overall experience.
- The highest seating area in the theatre is the Grand Circle.
- Though it is the furthest from the stage, you'll be able to enjoy great views if you get the first few seats in this section.
Shaftesbury Theatre Seating Plan >
Designed by Bertie Crewe, the Shaftesbury Theatre was established as the New Prince's Theatre in 1911 with a debut performance of 'The Three Musketeers'. The theatre enjoyed significant success in the 1920s when a number of Gilbert & Sullivan shows attracted sizable audiences. Within a few years, the word "new" was eliminated, and then again, following the success, the theatre underwent a name change in 1963 to become the Shaftesbury Theatre.
Many productions that have won Tony Awards and Olivier Awards have had their West End debuts at the Shaftesbury Theatre over the past 20 years. The musicals including Memphis, Hairspray, Berry Gordy's Motown, etc are some of the notable musicals among them.
- Bertie Crewe, a well-known theatre architect, designed the original Renaissance-style structure of the theatre in 1911.
- It was London's first playhouse with a steel frame with a turret, an auditorium with a retractable rolling roof, and elaborate masonry.
- As performances' technical requirements rose, the venue's current timber-framed fly tower came to be perceived as a barrier to its potential as a business.
- An eye-catching new fly tower has been created by Bennetts Associates.
- As a result of their design, the fly tower has been permanently expanded by 10 metres beyond the current roof, removing the need for future temporary adaptation.
- The new fly tower can also support weights of up to 35 tonnes, allowing the venue to perform larger plays.
- & Juliet: & Juliet marked the theatre's opening in 2019. The production was well-received by critics and earned six WhatsOnStage Awards, three Olivier Awards, and a Black British Theatre Award for Outstanding Female Actress in a Musical.
- Hair: The groundbreaking musical Hair premiered at the Shaftesbury Theatre the day after its censorship was abolished in 1968. The musical was controversial and, to some, scandalous, yet it was a big hit and ran for almost 2,000 performances.
- Motown: Motown, a 2016–2019 musical that chronicled the life of Berry Gordy, who founded the Motown record label, set box office records.
Know Before You Go
- Bus: Bus route 134 stops near the theatre. Additional routes 1, 8, 10, 19, 25, 38, 55, 73, and 98 stop at New Oxford Street and High Holborn.
- Tube: Shaftesbury Theatre is 8–10 minutes from Tottenham Court Road tube station, which offers access to the Central and Northern lines.
- Train: Shaftesbury Theatre is around 20 minutes from Charing Cross Station, the nearest railway station to the museum.
- Parking: A 50% discount may be available to audience members through Q-Theatreland Park's programme. Chinatown and Soho are around 15 minutes distant, and both have parking lots.
- Best Mode of Transport: The best mode of transport to reach the theatre is by bus as the nearest stop is very close.
- Toilets: There are restrooms on every level of the theatre, located in the Stalls, Grand Circle, etc.
- Cloakroom: The theatre has cloakrooms, where one can keep their pushchairs and large bags, and it costs £1 to check items in.
- Bar: There are five bars at the Shaftesbury Theatre: the Circle Bar, the Foyer Bar, the Grand Bar, and the Royal Bar.
- Shops: Every theatre floor has shops that offer a wide range of products and confectionery.
- Guide Dogs: The theatre is open to bringing service dogs inside. They can sit next to you in the theatre, or our Front of House staff can take care of them while you take in the performance.
- Elevator: Visitors with mobility challenges can reach the seats with the help of a specially constructed elevator.
- Transfer Seats: The Royal Circle is accessible to people using wheelchairs that can be transferred and clients with special needs because it is located on the street level.
- Wheelchair and Companion Spaces: The Stalls have eight seating spaces for wheelchair users and those accompanying them.
- Accessible Toilet: An accessible toilet is located at the Royal Circle.
- Ramps: There are ramps to help wheelchair users.
- Buy in Advance: Purchase your tickets well in advance. Prior booking of your tickets is always advisable to avoid any last-minute hassles.
- Food Policy: No outside food or alcoholic beverages are allowed inside the theatre. However, you can enjoy snacks and sweets.
- Arrive Early: Ensure you arrive at the theatre before the show starts to avoid the rush and watch the performance from the beginning.
- Latecomers Policy: Latecomers will be admitted only during a proper interval in the performance.
- Booster Cushions: Ask a staff member if you need one of the free booster cushions available for kids.
- Phones: Please keep your phones in silent mode or switch them off during the show.
- Wheelchair Seats: Tell the box office staff if you need a wheelchair seat when making your reservation so they can make sure the finest seats are available.
- Mon Plaisir: The restaurant, which is located in Theatreland, offers both classic French meals and contemporary specialities. The restaurant has been serving authentic French cuisine for more than 50 years. Delicious apple tarts, vanilla ice cream, and tarte tatin are all available here.
- Directions to Mon Plaisir
- Dalloway Terrace: The exquisite, poetic, and distinctly English restaurant Dalloway Terrace is situated in Soho on the terrace of the Bloomsbury Hotel. The lobster and crayfish mac 'n cheese, salads, seafood, etc., are some of the most famous dishes on their menu. The restaurant is located just a few minutes walk away from the theatre.
- Directions to Dalloway Terrace
- Café Pacifico: Café Pacifico, located in the Covent Garden, delivers flavorful Mexican food in a buzzing setting. The restaurant menu features all the classics and serves customers delectable, fresh Mexican flavours, including baked sea bass fillet with banana leaves, sundried tomato salsa, etc.
- Directions to Café Pacifico
- Savoir Faire: The French restaurant Savoir Faire, which is distinctive in that it features hand-painted murals and a rustic-chic ambience, is conveniently located next to Tottenham Court. At Savoir Faire, you may get everything from the fresh catch of the day, steaks, slow-roasted lamb shanks, and duck magrets.
- Directions to Savoir Faire
Frequently Asked Questions About Shaftesbury Theatre
The Shaftesbury Theatre is located on Shaftesbury Avenue, in the London Borough of Camden.
You can reach Shaftesbury Theatre via train, bus, tube, or car.
Shaftesbury Theatre has staged several productions including musicals, ballet, plays, and operas. A few notable ones include &Juliet, Westside Story, Motown and more.
The theatre can seat across three levels — Royal Circle, Stalls, and Grand Circle.
Yes. Shaftesbury Theatre is accessible to people with reduced mobility. The theatre offers various facilities and resources for disabled visitors, including wheelchair access, ramps, guide dog allowance, elevators and more.
The price of the tickets depends on the show that you choose to watch and the timing of the same at the Shaftesbury Theatre.
You can book your tickets to shows playing at the Shaftesbury 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 Shaftesbury Theatre such as Mon Plaisir, Savoir Faire, and more.
There are quite a few attractions near Shaftesbury Theatre that you can explore before you go for a show. Some of these include The British Museum, The London Eye, Madame Tussauds, Westminster Abbey and more.
