Prince Edward Theatre

The Prince Edward Theatre, opened in 1930, is a grand Art Deco venue designed by Edward Stone. It has a rich history, having served as a theatre, a cabaret restaurant (London Casino), and a cinema before returning to its theatrical roots. Known for its spacious auditorium and elegant interiors, it has hosted numerous major musicals and plays, establishing itself as a prominent fixture in London's West End.

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Seating

Stalls

The Prince Edward's Stalls are designed wide rather than deep, meaning even middle rows feel remarkably close to the stage. Seats are arranged in a gently curving block, split by two vertical aisles into a Centre section and two side wings.

The floor has a gradual rake that steepens towards the back. For the premium experience, aim for Rows D to K in the Centre block; these offer perfect audio alignment and ideal eye level with the stage.

Be warned, however: the Dress Circle overhang begins at Row N. By Row R, you'll face a strict letterbox view that cuts off the top half of the stage, significantly dampening the experience for musicals with tall sets or high-level visuals.

Dress Circle

Arguably the best overall tier in the theatre, the Dress Circle wraps around the room in a smooth, shallow curve. Its exceptionally sharp rake guarantees your sightline easily clears the heads in front, providing a flawless, comprehensive perspective perfect for large dance ensembles, complex lighting, and grand sets.

For an immaculate view, choose Centre seats in Rows A through D (seats 10 to 25); Row A places you very close to the stage with no safety railing obstructing your line of sight. However, book the small slip rows extending down the sides with caution: though cheap, they offer a sharp side angle that hides any action on the near side of the performance space.

Grand Circle

As the highest tier in the theatre, the Grand Circle is built on a steep incline to optimize overhead visibility. Due to the height and distance, performers will appear somewhat small, making it difficult to discern individual facial expressions.

While its aggressive slope ensures a clear view of the stage floor, the steepness can feel slightly daunting if you're uncomfortable with heights. Legroom here is standard, but expect it to become increasingly tight towards the back rows.

If you're on a budget, Row A offers the cleanest sightline, though depending on your height, a thin safety bar may sit at the very bottom of your field of vision.

See the view from your seat

SeatPlan has photographs taken from individual seats at the Prince Edward 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 Prince Edward Theatre, for anyone travelling in for a show rather than heading home after it.

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Facilities

Toilets

Additional ladies' toilets are located at the Stalls bar. Accessible toilets are on the right-hand side of the foyer and require exiting via Greek Street and re-entering the foyer for access.

Bars

5

Stalls · Dress Circle · Grand Circle

Cloakroom

£1

Main foyer

Box office

Opens 2.5 hours before the show and closes 15 minutes after the start. Remains open between performances on matinee days.

Accepts coats and small bags.

Stage door

20 Frith Street.

Location

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Prince Edward Theatre, Old Compton Street, London, W1D 4HS

Getting there

nearest first

  • 5 min

    Leicester Square

    PiccadillyNorthern
  • 7 min

    Tottenham Court Road

    CentralNorthernElizabeth
  • 7 min

    Piccadilly Circus

    PiccadillyBakerloo

Numerous bus routes serve Charing Cross Road, Shaftesbury Avenue, and Oxford Street, all within a short walking distance.

Step-by-step walking directions

The Prince Edward Theatre is located in the heart of Soho. The nearest Tube stations are: Leicester Square (Piccadilly and Northern lines), approximately a 5-minute walk; Tottenham Court Road (Central, Northern, and Elizabeth lines), approximately a 7-minute walk; and Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines), approximately a 7-minute walk. Numerous bus routes serve Charing Cross Road, Shaftesbury Avenue, and Oxford Street, all within a short walking distance.

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