The Apollo Theatre first opened in 1901. Shaftesbury Avenue was a newly created road in London and a plot of land was quickly bought by Henry Lowenfeld. The Apollo was designed specifically for musical theatre rather than plays. It was the first Edwardian theatre in London as it opened just am month after the death of Queen Victoria. The Apollo seats 775 people and its third tier balcony is the steepest in London. It is one of the few freehold theatres in London, meaning it is not tied to any specific playhouse. Like many other London theatres it is a Grade II listed building.

Some of its greatest successes have included André Messager’s light opera Véronique in 1904, Harold Brighouse’s Hobson’s Choice in 1916,  Robert Sherwood’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Idiot’s Delight in 1938, Noël Coward’s Private Lives in 1944. Seagulls Over Sorrento ran for three years from 1950. The longest running comedy was  Boeing Boeing, which featured Patrick Cargill and David Tomlinson in 1962.

More recent shows have included the stage version of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, The Madness of George III, Yes Prime Minister, Blithe Spirit and Rain Man.

See the official website for current showings and to book tickets. Or call the box office: 0844 412 4648. You can also buy tickets direct at the real box office: 31 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7ES

Where is the Apollo?

The Apollo is on Shaftesbury Avenue (A401) on the junction with Rupert Street. It is next door to the Lyric Theatre.

Tubes and Buses

Piccadilly Circus Underground (Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines) is the closest tube station three minutes walk away, nearby also is Leicester Square tube five minutes. Charing Cross is the closest mainline station, which is about 12 minutes walk. Buses 14, 19, 24, 29, 38, 176 all pass within a short walk.

Map