Piccadilly Theatre
The Piccadilly Theatre was built as a private theatre for Edward Laurillard on land previously occupied by derelict stables. The building was designed by Bertie Crewe and Edward A. Stone with interior decoration by Marc-Henri Levy and Gaston Laverdet. It opened in April 1928 with Jerome Kern's musical, Blue Eyes.
By August of the same year the theatre began operating as a Warner cinema and made entertainment history when it premiered the very first talking picture to be shown in Britain, The Singing Fool with Al Jolson.
The theatre returned to its original theatrical use in November 1929 and has since presented most forms of stage entertainment. American drama and musicals gave the theatre some cachet in the 1960s and 70s and a variety of Royal Shakespeare Company productions were staged here. The 1990s witnessed an expansion into musicals, ballet and dance, showcasing notably the most successful commercial ballet season ever to play in the West End, with Adventures in Motion Pictures' Swan Lake.
Though spectacular from the outside with a stunning green and gold Art Deco interior, the Piccadilly Theatre has a history of short running productions, perhaps due to its hidden location behind Piccadilly Circus.
The theatre is currently owned and operated by the Ambassador Theatre Group.
Address
Piccadilly Theatre
Denman Street
London
W1D 7DY
Transport / Accessibility
Nearest Underground: Piccadilly Circus
Nearest Rail: Charing Cross
Bus Routes: 3, 6, 9, 12, 13 ,14, 15, 19, 22, 38, 53, 88, 94, 159
Wheelchair Access: Yes
