Palace Theatre

The Palace Theatre is one of London’s most recognisable theatres, standing between Shaftesbury Avenue and Charing Cross Road, and having opened only two years after the Lyric Theatre, it is the second oldest theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue.

The history of The Palace Theatre

The venue has over a century-old history, beginning in the late 1880s when Richard D'Oyly Carte commissioned the building's construction. Following Thomas Edward Collcutt's design, it opened as the Royal English Opera House in 1891. The theatre's first production was Arthur Sullivan's opera Ivanhoe. However, Carte did not prepare other works to fill the repertoire and had to sell within its opening year. Under new ownership, the venue was transformed into a music hall and given the new name, the Palace Theatre of Varieties; the venue's name changed in 1911, this time renamed as The Palace Theatre, the name it retains to this day.

As per the wishes of King George V, the venue hosted Britain's first Royal Variety Performance. Its most exceptional runs were in the late 20th Century – Jesus Christ Superstar, which ran from 1972 to 1980 for 3,358 performances, and Les Miserables, which moved here in December 1985 and played for 19 years! Following _Les Miserables_’ move down the road to the Sondheim Theatre, Andrew Lloyd-Webber premiered The Woman in White, which was followed by Monty Python’s Spamalot, which was in turn followed by Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. After successful runs of both Singing in the Rain and The Commitments, playwright Jack Thorne and director John Tiffany collaborated with J.K. Rowling to premiere the two-part production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which continues to this day.

Where is the Palace Theatre?

Palace Theatre sits prominently at the junction of Shaftesbury Avenue and Charing Cross Road, right in the heart of London’s West End. The nearest tube stations are Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly lines) and Tottenham Court Road (Central and Northern lines), both just a short walk away.

Palace Theatre nearest tube station

The nearest tube stations to the Cambridge Theatre are Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, Embankment and Charing Cross.

Palace Theatre nearest train station

The nearest train station to the Cambridge Theatre is Charing Cross.

Buses to Palace Theatre

Bus routes 38, 24, 29, 176 and 19 all serve the Palace Theatre. 

Palace Theatre seating plan

There are 1,400 seats spread across four levels at the Palace Theatre; the Stalls, Dress Circle, Grand Circle and Balcony.

Palace Theatre accessibility

The Palace Theatre has step-free access to the foyer and Stalls via double doors on Shaftesbury Avenue. Inside, there are two dedicated wheelchair spaces in Row W of the Stalls, and selected aisle seats can be used by customers who wish to transfer from a wheelchair to a standard seat. Access to these spaces involves a moderate ramp with assistance from staff. The Dress Circle and Grand Circle (Upper Circle) are only accessible via stairs, with approximately 30 steps to the Dress Circle and 62 to the Grand Circle, and no lift access to upper levels.

An accessible toilet is available near the wheelchair seating, and assistance dogs are welcome in the auditorium or can be cared for by staff. The theatre provides an infra-red hearing enhancement system with headsets and neck loops, available on request. The Palace Theatre also hosts regular accessible performances, including Audio-Described, Captioned, BSL Interpreted, and Relaxed Performances. Trained staff are on hand to assist visually impaired patrons if needed. Patrons requiring accessible seating or services are encouraged to book in advance directly with the box office.

Palace Theatre safety policy

The Palace Theatre has a range of robust security measures in place to ensure the safety of all theatregoers, staff, and performers. These procedures have been developed in partnership with the police and specialist security providers, and are regularly reviewed and updated in line with current guidance.

All visitors will be subject to a bag check upon entry. This is to ensure that prohibited items are not brought into the venue. Prohibited items include alcoholic drinks, personal protection sprays or mace, laser pointers, and sharp objects. Guests are kindly asked to allow extra time for security checks and to avoid bringing large bags where possible.

Palace Theatre dress code

The Palace Theatre doesn't require a specific dress code, and most theatregoers wear their everyday clothes. But that doesn’t mean you can’t dress up if you want to! Take a look at our guide to dressing for the theatre for more information.