Palace Theatre
Sections:
Theatre build date:
1890
History:
The Palace Theatre was originally commissioned as the Royal English Opera House by Richard D’Oyly-Carte in the 1880’s as a venue for British grand opera, as he had had a great deal of success with light opera his Savoy Theatre since 1881, where he was of course famous for premiering the operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan. This venture was a monumental failure, due in no small part to D’Oyly-Carte having only planned one production, Ivanhoe. Taken over in 1892, the venue became the Palace Theatre of Varieties, a successful music hall and film venue. After another takeover in 1904, the venue was eventually renamed the Palace Theatre in 1911 and specialised in musical theatre with its own famous orchestra and chorus girls. Since then, the Palace theatre has become known for its long and successful runs, starting with No, No, Nanette in 1925 which, with 655 performances, was the West End’s longest running musical of the 1920’s. Other notable productions have included The Sound Of Music which ran for 2,385 performances from 1961, Jesus Christ Superstar (1972-1980) and Les Misérables (1985-2004).
The Palace Theatre is one of only two theatres in the West End that have a row I. The other one is the London Palladium.
Hauntings:
It is rumoured that numerous areas of the Palace theatre are haunted by the ghosts of ballerina Anna Pavlova and composer Ivor Novello.
Previously called:
The Royal English Opera House
The Palace Theatre of Varieties
Previously showing:
Whistle Down The Wind (2006)
The Woman In White (2004-2006)
Les Misérables (1985-2004)
Close to:
Chinatown
Leicester Square
Contact Details
Palace Theatre
Shaftesbury Avenue
W1V 8AY
For all ticket enquiries, call:
0871 789 1004
Map
Facilities
Theatre capacity:
1,394
Stage door location:
The stage door is situated to the side of the theatre, in Romilly Street.
Theatre layout:
One of the older West End auditoriums, the Palace Theatre is arranged on four levels, stalls, Dress Circle, Grand Circle and balcony. The stalls and Dress Circle offer clear views throughout, with the exception of a few seats towards the back of the stalls. Because Priscilla Queen of the Desert uses the full height of the stage, certain production elements may be partially obscured for those in the following seats in the stalls:
R 3 – 8
R 23 – 28
S 4 – 27
T 4 – 27
V 5 – 15
V 21 – 27
W 4 – 15
W 21 – 27
The Grand Circle is set rather high, and so the front row is obstructed by a handrail, and the view gets restricted due to curvature towards the sides. Customers booking balcony seats should be aware that the balcony is high and steeply stepped.
There are boxes available on the first three levels and although the four at Dress Circle level are priced as top price, the view is not brilliant and as with any box, you are paying to be seen rather than to see the show.
The stalls have ground level access which is suitable for wheelchair users.
Air conditioned:
No- Has a cool air system.
