Gaiety Theatre, London

The Gaiety Theatre is a theatre building in City of Westminster topped with a large dome. The auditorium had four levels of seating and included a restaurant where patrons could dine without leaving the building.

The building began in 1864 as the Strand Musick Hall and underwent reconstruction in 1868 to create its modern theatre space. It later became a leader in technology, becoming the first English theatre to install electric lighting on its exterior in 1878.

The theatre shaped London's entertainment world through a new style of musical theatre and performances by the Gaiety Girls. These shows created a distinctive theatrical form that audiences embraced and others tried to copy.

The theatre sits at the eastern end of the Strand and is easy to reach. The dining area inside the building allowed visitors to eat before a show without stepping outside.

Several performers from this theatre later married into aristocratic families, creating surprising links between the stage and British high society. These unusual connections showed how the theatre could cross social boundaries.

Location: City of Westminster

Inception: 1864

Official opening: 1864

Capacity: 2000

Address: Aldwych, London, Westminster, WC2, England

GPS coordinates: 51.51194,-0.11861

Latest update: December 8, 2025 13:41