Shaftesbury Theatre

Capacity1400 Seats

Seating Tiers2 Levels

Venue SizeLarge

About The Venue

Opened in 1911 as the New Prince's Theatre, the Shaftesbury Theatre is a grand Edwardian Baroque building designed by Bertie Crewe, becoming Grade II listed. Renamed in 1963, it's one of London's largest proscenium arch theatres, renowned for hosting major musicals. Despite a partial ceiling collapse in 1973, it was restored and continues to offer a spacious and impressive theatrical experience.

Seating

Positioned on the first floor, the Dress Circle offers excellent elevated views of the stage, often considered optimal for a comprehensive stage picture. The rake is good, ensuring clear sightlines over the heads of those in front. Row A, the front row, provides an unobstructed view, though the safety rail may slightly impede the view for very short people. Legroom is generally comfortable, comparable to the Stalls. Seats in the front central block (Rows A-F) are highly sought after. Side seats in the Dress Circle can offer a slightly angled perspective, particularly in the rows closest to the stage. The Upper Circle overhang does not impact views from this level.

Toilets

Male and female toilets: Foyer, Stalls, Dress Circle, Grand Circle. Accessible toilet: Royal Circle level.

Bars

Five bars: Foyer Bar, Royal Bar, Circle Bar, Grand Bar, Stalls Bar. The 1911 Bar is also available.

Cloakroom

No cloakroom facilities available; visitors are recommended to bring only small bags.

Box Office

Monday to Saturday: 12pm until 7:30pm for in-person bookings and collection.

Stage Door

The Shaftesbury Theatre's main address is 210 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8DP. While a specific side street for the stage door isn't explicitly detailed in the search results, it is generally located at the rear or side of theatres.

Location

Open in Maps

210 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8DP

Directions

The Shaftesbury Theatre is centrally located and easily accessible. The nearest Tube stations are Holborn (Central and Piccadilly lines), Tottenham Court Road (Central, Northern, and Elizabeth lines), and Covent Garden (Piccadilly line), all within a 5-10 minute walk. Numerous bus routes serve Shaftesbury Avenue and High Holborn, with stops very close to the theatre. For those arriving by train, Charing Cross Station is approximately a 15-minute walk or a short bus/Tube ride away.

At this Venue

Now Playing

Musical

Avenue Q

Closing 29 Aug 2026