Theatre Royal Stratford East
Venue Information
- How to book (Phone)
- 020 8534 0310
- [email protected]
- Guide dogs
- Assistance dogs are welcome in the auditorium. Please inform Box Office when you book
- Wheelchairs
- The theatre has a spacious foyer and a wheelchair-accessible box office and toilets. There are six wheelchair spaces in the auditorium and lifts to the upper level.
- Sound amplification
- Infrared assisted listening system
- Audio description
- Entering the theatre from Theatre Square; there is an automatic door for disabled access with a push button at low level. The box office is immediately on your right. Further into foyer is the lift to all levels with low level controls. Theatre open 30mins before performance. Level access to bar from main entrance through the foyer.
- Bars
- Theatre Workshop Bar. Fully Licensed bar serving food and drinks.
- Toilets
- Adapted toilets on all three levels. Ground floor in the bar, 1st and 2nd floors opposite the lift on the right.
- Air conditioning
- Yes
- Accepts Theatre Tokens
- Yes
Theatre Royal Stratford East was formed when, in 1884, actor-manager Charles Dillon set out to create Stratford’s first permanent playhouse. He employed James George Buckle as his architect, before applying for a licence to open a venue, which, after some initial objections, was ultimately granted.
Dillon himself went on to star in the lead role of the first play ever presented at the newly-created theatre: Lytton Strachey’s Richelieu; Or The Conspiracy, which opened on 17 December 1884.
Fast forward to the present day and Theatre Royal Stratford East is led by Artistic Director Nadia Fall. The venue places a strong focus on new writing. It is the home of the Theatre Workshop Company, which is best known for its association with the director Joan Littlewood, who served as the theatre’s Artistic Director for over 20 years.
The theatre is a Grade II* listed building and is owned by Pioneer Theatres Limited. It has the capacity to seat 460 audience members split over three tiers.