Queen’s Theatre
Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1V 8BA

Nearest underground:
Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly Line, Bakerloo Line)

Nearest rail:
Charing Cross

Although they now look quite dissimilar, the Queen’s was built in 1907 as one of a pair with the Gielgud Theatre on the adjacent corner. The Queen’s present sleek black façade arose as the result of extensive repair carried out after a bomb destroyed the entire front of house and some of the rear stalls. This put it out of action for performances – although it was still used for rehearsals – until 1959. Like a few other London theatres, the plain exterior conceals a sumptuous auditorium. Carved, draped figures encircle the lofty dome whilst the richly gilded, plaster motifs set against a plush red and cream backdrop dazzle the eye.

The Queen’s has almost continually thrived throughout its history. One of its quirkier moments came in 1913, when a dance floor was created in the stalls, where patrons sipped tea and danced the tango. When plays returned, an actor who appeared in many successful runs was John Gielgud, both before and after the war. And it was at the Queen’s where actor-playwright Noel Coward returned to the West End after a departure lasting 13 years. In 1999 the lease of the theatre changed hands and big alterations are in the pipeline.

What's on at Queen's Theatre

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