Apollo Theatre

The Apollo Theatre, an elegant Edwardian playhouse designed by Lewin Sharp, opened in 1901 and is a prominent fixture on Shaftesbury Avenue. Its distinctive curved façade and ornate interior create an intimate atmosphere, despite its capacity. Over its history, it has hosted a diverse range of productions, from classic dramas and comedies to popular musicals.

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Seating

Stalls

On the ground floor, the Stalls generally offer good sightlines from around row E/F backwards, thanks to a decent rake. Be warned, though: rows A-D are very close to the stage, meaning you’ll be looking up significantly, and legroom here can be particularly tight, especially with the stage's height.

Further back, the Dress Circle overhang begins around row M/N, which might obscure the very top of the stage for exceptionally tall sets if you're in rows P or Q. Side seats in the front few rows can have minor restrictions from the proscenium arch.

For a little extra stretch, aisle seats typically offer marginally better legroom.

Dress Circle

Often home to some of the theatre's best views, the Dress Circle, the first level above the Stalls, truly shines from its central block in rows A-E. A good rake ensures clear sightlines throughout.

Just be aware that the safety rail in front row A can cause a minor obstruction if you're on the shorter side. While generally offering better legroom than the front Stalls, it can still feel tight for taller individuals – a common feature in theatres of this age.

Side seats, particularly towards the ends of rows, will give you a slightly angled view but are generally unobstructed. The Grand Circle overhang won't typically affect your view here.

Grand Circle

The Grand Circle is the second level above the Stalls. It features a steeper rake than the Dress Circle, which helps maintain good sightlines over the heads of those in front, despite being further from the stage.

Legroom is noticeably tighter compared to the Dress Circle. The safety rail in the front row (Row A) can be a more significant obstruction for shorter people due to the increased height and angle.

Side seats can have more pronounced angled views, and the overall perspective is more distant. The Balcony overhang can affect the very back rows (e.g., Row H, J) by potentially cutting off the very top of the stage for tall sets.

Balcony

As the highest level in the theatre, the Balcony offers the most distant and elevated perspective. Its very steep rake can make you feel quite high and detached from the stage.

Legroom here is typically the most restricted in the entire theatre. For shorter patrons, the safety rail in front row A is a significant obstruction, often requiring you to lean forward to see.

Views from the side blocks are very acute and can be significantly restricted by both the angle and distance. While these seats are generally the most affordable, be aware that comfort and view quality are notably compromised, making it challenging to discern fine details on stage.

See the view from your seat

SeatPlan has photographs taken from individual seats at the Apollo Theatre, alongside a full seating plan and reviews from people who sat there. Worth a look before you commit to a restricted-view seat.

View seat photos and plan

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Staying nearby

The nearest hotels to the Apollo Theatre, for anyone travelling in for a show rather than heading home after it.

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Facilities

Toilets

Ladies & Gents: all levels except Dress Circle; Accessible: Stalls (Women's at front of Stalls, Men's near Stalls bar).

Bars

3 bars: Stalls, Grand Circle, and Balcony.

Cloakroom

Available; £1 per item.

Box office

Monday-Saturday: 10am-8pm on performance days; Sunday: 10am until start of final performance.

Stage door

From main entrance, turn left towards Gielgud Theatre. Walk up the road before Gielgud to the back of Apollo Theatre. Turn left at the back of the theatre, stage door is there.

Location

Open in Maps

Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 7EZ

Getting there

nearest first

  • 2 min

    Piccadilly Circus

    BakerlooPiccadilly
  • 5 min

    Leicester Square

    NorthernPiccadilly
  • 10 min

    Charing Cross

    BakerlooNorthernNational Rail

Bus stops on Shaftesbury Avenue and nearby are served by routes 12, 14, 19, 23, 38, 88, 94, 139, 159, and 453.

Step-by-step walking directions

The Apollo Theatre is located on Shaftesbury Avenue. The nearest Tube stations are Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines), approximately a 3-minute walk, and Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly lines), approximately a 5-minute walk. Numerous bus routes also serve the Shaftesbury Avenue area.

At this venue