Prince Edward Theatre
Sections:
Theatre build date:
1930
History:
Built in the age of the cinema, the Prince Edward Theatre was constructed with the purpose of being able to stage musicals, drama, revue and film. Only five years later, however, this multi purpose was converted into a dance and cabaret hall, and renamed as the London Casino. Developing a reputation for gaudy, extravagant and even risqué live entertainment (which also sometimes included children’s pantomimes), the London Casino was in turn converted into a private club for servicemen during the World War II, becoming the Queensbury All Service Club in 1942, with musicals and revues returning to the venue four years later. Taking advantage of the theatre’s original multi purpose intentions, in 1954 it was given over entirely to film, screening ‘Cinerama’ spectaculars. With live performance slowly resuming in the early 1970’s, in 1978 the theatre reverted to its original name and became a theatre proper, its first production being Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Evita, which ran for almost eight years. Evita was not the only major production to have received its debut at the Prince Edward Theatre, with Mamma Mia running from 1999 to 2004, being followed by Mary Poppins which subsequently ran for three successful years before embarking on a UK tour. The Prince Edward Theatre is of course currently home to Jersey Boys, the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons which received rave reviews when it opened in March 2008.
Previously called:
London Casino
Queensbury All Services Club
The Casino Cinerama Theatre
Previously showing:
Mary Poppins (2004)
Mamma Mia! (1999)
Close to:
Soho
Chinatown
Piccadilly Circus
The Trocadero
Contact Details
Prince Edward Theatre
Old Compton Street
W1D 4HS
For all ticket enquiries, call:
0871 789 1004
Map
Facilities
Theatre capacity:
1,618
Stage door location:
The stage door is located at the back of the theatre, accessible via Greek Street.
Theatre layout:
The seating in the Prince Edward Theatre’s auditorium, although in the traditional three level arrangement, is unusual in that there are boxes on all levels and loge seats in front of the dress circle.
The stalls is divided into four sections. A front section (rows B to K) is separated by an aisle that runs the width of the seating. The other section is divided into three by two aisles that run from front to back (rows L to ZB). The front row of the stalls (B) is not suitable for anyone shorter than 5’8” because the stage is four feet high. The row is priced to reflect this so many consider row B to be great value for money. Rows Z to ZB are obstructed a little by overhang from the Dress Circle, and a few seats in the centre have the view obscured by the sound desk. There are two boxes at stalls level, holding four seats each. Although these suffer from restricted view, they are sold at full price.
In the same way as the stalls, an aisle splits the Dress Circle into a front and rear section, with only the back two rows (L an M) suffering form Grand Circle overhang. The front section is plit into two by a central aisle, while two aisles split the back section into three. Protruding from the corners of the Dress Circle are five rows of loge seats separated from each other by railings. These offer the privacy of the box, the perspective of the Dress Circle and great proximity to the stage and are highly recommended. However, leg room is limited in the loge seats and they are strictly subject to availability. Again, the boxes at Dress Circle level are restricted view (though not as bad as those at stalls level) but are top price. There are also slip seats to the sides of the Dress Circle which, although classified as restricted view, just require a bit of leaning and offer great value for money.
The Grand Circle is set rather high and because of a number of handrails, there are a few restricted view seats dotted about. The view from the rear section (rows H to N) isn’t great, although they are more than adequate if you are after a bargain night out. Again, there are slip seats and boxes which both suffer restricted views, although the boxes are again sold at top price.
Air conditioned:
Yes
