Aldwych Theatre at a glance
The Aldwych Theatre has three levels, and where you sit really does change the experience. Here’s my honest take on each section.
The Stalls at the Aldwych put you right in among the action, with a lovely intimate feel for a West End house. Just be aware that some rows towards the back can be slightly obstructed by the Dress Circle overhang above, so if you can, go for something in the first two-thirds of the section.
This is where I’d sit if I could. The Dress Circle has a brilliant rake, so nobody in front blocks your view, and the central seats frame the whole stage beautifully. Row A seats 1-6 and 28-33 are sold more cheaply because they face the stage at an angle, so factor that in if you’re after front-row Dress Circle for less.
The Grand Circle is small – just eleven rows – which actually works in its favour, because you’re never all that far from the stage even at the very back. Rows A to C are the sweet spot, with a genuinely unrestricted view for a fraction of the Stalls price.
The Aldwych Theatre sits on the corner of the Aldwych and Drury Lane, just south of Covent Garden and a stone’s throw from the Strand. You’ve got four tube stations within easy walking distance.
Temple (Circle and District lines) – about 5 minutes on foot along the Embankment, and handy if you’re arriving from the south or east
Covent Garden (Piccadilly line) – about 6 minutes on foot, the closest tube for most people
Holborn (Central and Piccadilly lines) – about 8 minutes on foot
Charing Cross (Bakerloo and Northern lines) – about 10 minutes on foot
If you’re arriving by train, Charing Cross station is about ten minutes away on foot, with Waterloo a little further at around 1.2km if you’re happy to cross the river.
Driving into the West End isn’t really worth the hassle – the Congestion Charge applies and parking is limited – but if you must, Q-Park run a Theatreland parking scheme offering up to 50% off nearby car parks.
The Aldwych Theatre has stood on the corner of the Aldwych and Drury Lane since it opened on 23 December 1905, designed by the prolific theatre architect W.G.R. Sprague in an elegant Edwardian Baroque style. It’s Grade II listed, and a major refurbishment in 2017 restored much of its original detail, including recreating the ornate finials on the main foyer staircase from old photographs.
The theatre spent over two decades, from 1960 to 1982, as the London home of the Royal Shakespeare Company, and in 1949 it hosted the first London production of A Streetcar Named Desire, directed by Laurence Olivier and starring Vivien Leigh. Today the Aldwych is owned and operated by Nederlander Theatres, and in recent years it’s become known for major musicals, including a seven-year run of Tina – The Tina Turner Musical and, most recently, Sinatra.
The Aldwych Theatre has 1,122 seats across three levels (Stalls, Dress Circle and Grand Circle).
The Aldwych Theatre is at 49 Aldwych, London WC2B 4DF, on the corner of the Aldwych and Drury Lane.
Covent Garden (on the Piccadilly line) is about six minutes on foot. Temple is similarly close along the Embankment, with Holborn and Charing Cross both within a ten-minute walk.
The Aldwych Theatre is owned and operated by Nederlander Theatres.
Yes. There’s step-free access via a side door on Drury Lane – just let staff at the main entrance know if you need it. Wheelchair spaces are available in the Dress Circle (Row C) and in two of the boxes, though the boxes have a restricted view. The theatre also uses the Sennheiser Tourguide system for extra sound support, and there’s an accessible toilet in the foyer.
The Upper Circle has a reputation among regular theatregoers for being high and steeply raked, and it’s a climb of 50-plus steps from the foyer with no lift. A metal safety rail runs across the front of the circle and at the aisle ends, which some visitors find reassuring. If heights aren’t for you, the Stalls or Dress Circle are calmer options, and the box office can talk you through specific seats if you’re unsure.
The bars and auditorium usually open around 45 minutes before the show starts, so it’s worth arriving early to grab a drink and a seat.
Yes – there’s a cloakroom in the main foyer, opposite the Box Office, for a small charge. Handy if you’ve got a coat or a bag you don’t want to have on your lap all evening.
See the “Now Playing” section at the top of this page for the current show, and “Coming Soon” for what’s next.
You can book tickets directly through the official Nederlander website, which is sometimes the best option so you don’t end up paying extra fees.
However, other websites like London Theatre Direct, Today Tix and Love Theatre can sometimes have discounted tickets available which can be a good deal.
I always recommend looking at several different websites and comparing which has the cheapest seats for where you want to sit.
