
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
- StallsClose to the action, but the overhang can be a real showstopper.
- Dress CircleArguably the best view in the house, but beware the cheap side slips.
- Grand CircleHighest tier: great rake, but performers are small and heights can be daunting.
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.
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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.
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
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.



