The extremely famous Prince Edward Theatre is situated in the bustling district of Soho, at Old Compton Street. There are a number of other tourist attractions such as Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, and Covent Garden which can be seen within the vicinity of the theatre.
The Prince Edward Theatre is owned and operated by Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, one of London’s most prestigious West End organizations. In 2004, the company restored the Prince Edward Theatre in order to bring back its glamorous look of the 1930s—a part of an overall effort which included renovation of the Novello Theatre on its centenary in 2005, as well as Gielgud, Wyndham’s and Noël Coward theatres.
Prince Edward Theatre History and Design
The glorious Prince Edward Theatre in London was opened in 1930. The theatre was designed by Edward A. Stone and got its name after the Prince of Wales who later became King Edward VIII. Its extravagant interiors were created in Art Deco style by the designers Marc-Henri and Laverdet and characterized by abundance of gold decoration combined with fuchsia coloring.
The “London Casino” Period and World War II
As early as 1935, Edward A. Stone redesigned the venue and transformed it into the dance hall/cabaret called the “London Casino” which was a great commercial success. Nevertheless, during World War II and the Blitz campaign, the theatre was heavily damaged in an air raid in May 1941 with all of its windows broken.
How to Reach Prince Edward Theatre
London’s most famous Prince Edward Theatreis located on Old Compton Street in the heart of Soho. Prince Edward Theatreis reachable through various modes of commutations including bus, tube, taxis and car.
By Tube: For those wishing to reach the theatre using the tube, The nearest Tube station is Tottenham Court Road. It’s just a 3-4 minute walk, Central, Northern & Elizabeth lines.
By Bus: Several bus routes stop near the theatre. The nearest bus stops are Charing Cross Road and Shaftesbury Avenue. Bus numbers are 14, 19, 24, 29, and 38.
Walk: A quick walk from Oxford Street or Leicester Square, amid Soho’s pubs and restaurants.
Prince Edward Theatre Seating Plan
With a capacity of over 1,600 across three tiers, the Prince Edward Theatre stands as one of the largest venues in London’s West End. it is perfectly design for perfectly suited to massive stage shows.
The Stalls (Ground Level)
Layout: This area is situated on the ground floor, and thus is the nearest to the stage.
Best Views: The central seats from Rows D to N are the most suitable, as you will feel like being in the centre of everything.
Considerations: The stage is relatively high; if you choose the first two rows (A and B), you will look upward.
There is an overhang from the Dress Circle starting from the row R; thus, those rows will not allow you to see the upper part of the stage but will be cheaper than other rows due to their position.
2. The Dress Circle (Middle Level)
Situated right above the stalls section, the Dress Circle is typically considered the preferred option for getting a clear view of the action. Booking seats from Rows A to E guarantees you have an unobstructed and level view of the whole stage performance.
Best Views: Rows A to E.
Considerations: Row A has rather restricted legroom for tall people.
The safety rails are placed on some aisles, and so check your ticket regarding that if you plan to take seats near the stage in an aisle row.
3. The Grand Circle (Top Level)
Layout: The highest level of the theatre with rather steep rake gives the cheapest ticket prices.
Best Views: Row B to Row E are the most suitable ones as they offer a clear bird’s-eye view of the stage layout without being too far from it.
Considerations: The rake is rather steep and might cause problems to people afraid of heights.
Quick Information
| Theatre | Prince Edward Theatre |
| Show Duration | 2 Hours 40 Minutes |
| Interval | Yes |
| Age Recommendation | 12+ with adult supervision |
| Capacity | 1,727 |
| Location | Old Compton St, London W1D 4HS |