Novello Theatre
Venue Information
- How to book (Phone)
- 0344 482 5137
- [email protected]
- Guide dogs
- Guide dogs are allowed in to the auditorium or alternatively, cloakroom staff can look after them.
- Wheelchairs
- Separate access for wheelchair users off Catherine Street. 4 steps down inside the door. 2 spaces for wheelchair users in Box A. Venue not suitable for scooters. However, theatre provides transfer seats for 2 wheelchair/lightweight scooters in total per performance. Transfer seats are available at A32, A33, A10 and A11 in the Dress Circle (view better on right hand side). Each wheelchair user must bring a non-disabled companion.
- Sound amplification
- Infrared system in the auditorium
- Audio description
- 5 steps into the foyer through swing double doors. Box office on the left. To get to Stalls there are 20 steps. 10 steps up to Dress Circle seating. Staircases are highlighted and have handrails.
- Bars
- There are four licensed bars. Sam's Bar is situated behind the foyer down 7 steps although there is street access from Catherine Street via a ramp. The Shubert Bar is up 29 steps from the foyer. Ivor's Bar at the back of the stalls is down 2 steps and through the auditorium then a further 3 steps. The Waldorf Bar services the Grand Circle (up 17 steps) and Balcony (8 steps down).
- Toilets
- Men's and women's toilets at Stalls, Dress Circle, Grand Circle and Balcony levels. Accessible toilet at Dress Circle level with street access from Catherine Street.
- Parking
- Air conditioning
- Yes
- Accepts Theatre Tokens
- Yes
Located near Charing Cross, the Novello Theatre is a large West End venue, being able to seat up to 1,105 people, which is usually home to musicals.
The theatre was originally called the Waldorf Theatre and opened in 1905 and was re-named the Strand Theatre in 1913. The theatre took itss current name in 2005 after a £4.5 million refurbishment to celebrate its centenary; the famous composer Ivor Novello lived in a flat above the theatre for almost four decades.
Notable former productions at this venue include Rhinoceros starring Laurence Olivier and Maggie Smith, Frankie Howard in A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum and the Broadway production of Cat On A Hot Tin Roof starring Adrian Lester and James Earl Jones.
With over 100 years of history, the Novello Theatre has also played host to a wide variety of shows despite being best known as a venue for musicals. It has hosted many plays by the RSC and has even hosted performances as diverse as Derren Brown’s illusionist performances.
The theatre is currently home to the ABBA musical Mamma Mia!, and has been since 2012.