Gielgud Theatre, Historic theatre in West End, London
The Gielgud Theatre sits on Shaftesbury Avenue and offers almost 1000 seats across three levels in a building that blends Louis XVI design elements. Entrances and foyers show plasterwork and gilded details, while the auditorium is decorated in soft reds and creams with a balcony and gallery section above the stalls.
Architect W.G.R. Sprague designed the building, which opened in December 1906 as the Hicks Theatre and later carried the name Globe Theatre. The renaming to Gielgud Theatre took place in 1994 in honor of actor Sir John Gielgud.
The name honors John Gielgud, one of the 20th century's greatest stage actors, who performed here many times. Audiences today enter a space where classical acting tradition and modern productions continue to meet, drawing theater lovers from around the world.
The box office opens two and a half hours before each performance and a customer service line operates Monday through Saturday from 10:00 to 19:30. Access to the balcony and gallery levels involves stairs, while the entrance sits at street level.
Until 1995 a cat named Beerbohm lived here and attended every production, occasionally making unscripted appearances on stage. The animal became a fixture of the theatre's life and left memories with performers and visitors alike.
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