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.
56 Dean Street
88 m
Apollo Theatre
61 m
Gielgud Theatre
30 m
Windmill Theatre
111 m
Lyric Theatre
79 m
The 2i's Coffee Bar
68 m
Wong Kei
53 m
Raymond Revuebar
113 m
St Anne's Church
67 m
Gerrard Street
120 m
China Town
119 m
St John's Hospital for Diseases of the Skin
111 m
The Blue Posts Public House
85 m
22 And 24, Rupert Street W1
102 m
19, Gerrard Street W1
75 m
18, Gerrard Street W1
79 m
20-24, Shaftesbury Avenue
128 m
63, Old Compton Street W1
62 m
12, Gerrard Street W1
126 m
Cannon Dilly
127 m
12, Brewer Street W1
106 m
68, Old Compton Street
92 m
6 and 7 Lisle Street
121 m
26, Rupert Street W1
94 m
48, Dean Street W1
126 m
31, Gerrard Street W1
105 m
16, Gerrard Street W1
90 m
27, Wardour Street W1
84 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes