Royal Court Theatre

The Royal Court Theatre sits at Sloane Square and offers seating for 465 people, spread between a main auditorium and a smaller room upstairs. The red brick facade stands out from the white Georgian townhouses nearby, while inside dark wood and red seats shape the classic theatre setting.

The building first opened in 1870 under the name New Chelsea Theatre and was rebuilt in 1952 after war damage. The English Stage Company moved in during 1956 and turned the venue into a stage for new drama that reshaped British theatre.

The building carries the name 'Royal Court' after a 19th-century royal charter and serves today as a key venue for contemporary theatre. Writers from different countries travel here to see their plays staged, and audiences often attend specifically for the new texts.

The theatre sits right by Sloane Square underground station, making arrival from different parts of town straightforward. Both auditoriums have narrow aisles and steep rows, so arriving early helps you find your seat calmly.

The smaller room on the first floor started in 1969 with just 63 seats and hosted the premiere of The Rocky Horror Show before the musical became known worldwide. Today experimental productions often start here and later move to the main stage.

Location: Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

Inception: 1870

Architects: Bertie Crewe, Walter Emden

Official opening: 1870

Capacity: 465

Address: Sloane Square, London, Kensington & Chelsea, SW1W 8AS, England

Website: https://royalcourttheatre.com

GPS coordinates: 51.49260,-0.15658

Latest update: December 5, 2025 16:35