Sondheim Theatre, Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue, London, England
The Sondheim Theatre is a playhouse on Shaftesbury Avenue in Westminster, London, holding around 1,000 seats and operating since 1907. The auditorium still displays Edwardian plasterwork, wooden balcony railings, and rust-red upholstery that preserve the original atmosphere.
The building opened in 1907 and was originally called the Queen's Theatre, referencing royal connections. German bombing destroyed much of the facade and entrance area in 1940, forcing a complete rebuild of these sections after the war ended.
The name Sondheim was adopted in 2019 to honor American composer Stephen Sondheim, who transformed contemporary musical theatre. The venue draws an international audience that gathers in the foyer before curtain time, examining the late Victorian setting.
The box office opens two and a half hours before the performance starts and remains open until about 15 minutes after curtain time. The entrance stands directly on Shaftesbury Avenue, a few minutes' walk from Leicester Square Underground station.
A major restoration in 2019 uncovered hidden murals and gilded decorations that had been concealed under layers of paint for decades. Technicians also installed new lighting and sound systems behind the historical walls during this work, without altering the visible appearance.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
