Arts Theatre
Sections:
The diminutive Arts Theatre in Great Newport Street opened as a club in 1927, in an existing building originally built in 1913. Clubs were popular at the time, as censorship was stringent and all shows for Public performance required a license granted by the Lord Chamberlain’s office. As a club, audiences were technically private gatherings so unlicensed productions could be stage. As a club, the Arts saw a diverse range of new, experimental and often controversial plays including Herbert Farjeon’s review Picnic, and John Van Druten’s Young Woodley, the first unlicensed play to transfer to a patent theatre once the Lord Chamberlain’s censorship was lifted in 1928.
The Arts Theatre gained itself a reputation over the years as a miniature version of the National Theatre, hosting a range of short running but critically acclaimed plays. In 1955, the Arts Theatre staged the English language premiere of Samuel Beckett’s classic Waiting for Godot. Other notable productions at the Arts Theatre have included Tom Stoppard’s satirical double bill Dirty Linen and Newfoundland which ran for four years from 1976, and The Vagina Monologues in 2000.
The Arts Theatre gained itself a reputation over the years as a miniature version of the National Theatre, hosting a range of short running but critically acclaimed plays. In 1955, the Arts Theatre staged the English language premiere of Samuel Beckett’s classic Waiting for Godot. Other notable productions at the Arts Theatre have included Tom Stoppard’s satirical double bill Dirty Linen and Newfoundland which ran for four years from 1976, and The Vagina Monologues in 2000.
Contact Details
Arts TheatreGreat Newport Street
London WC2H 7JB
For all ticket enquiries, call 0871 789 1004
Map
Facilities
Theatre capacity: 347Theatre layout
A tiny venue, the Arts theatre has two levels, stalls and Dress Circle. The stalls are arranged in one cluster of seats, with the Dress Circle high enough to allow clear views all the way to the back. However, the narrow auditorium means rows are curved enough to cause some sideline views in seats right at the end of each row.
The Dress Circle agin is only small, with clear views throughout. However, there are two rows of slip seats either side of the main seating in the Dress Circle, and these offer sideline views.
