Playhouse Theatre
Nearby Playhouse Theatre

A short step away from the main strip of West End theatres, the Playhouse's stylish curved facade is rather lost among the towering architecture of Charing Cross and Embankment. If the exterior is a little too restrained however, the same cannot be said for the auditorium, which is a sumptuous tribute to theatrical excess. A cream colour scheme is obscured by giant murals, statues and a mountain of gold inlay. The boxes are supported by caryatids, the house lights are on three-meter golden pillars, while the carved balustrades twist and turn like snakes. Sadly none of this glorious excess was ever seen by the bulk of the audience for the Playhouse Theatre's most famous shows. Hancock's Half Hour and and The Goon Show were both recorded here, along with a host of other BBC Radio shows. Since the BBC left in 1975, the Playhouse has struggled to establish itself as a major West End venue. Hits, like the Almeida's Naked starring Juliet Binoche and the National Theatre's An Inspector Calls have been matched by an equal number of flops and the theatre has changed hands many times. The transfer of the Menier's La Cage aux Folles is currently doing wonders for its reputation.Playhouse Theatre events
Dreamboats And PetticoatsDreamboats And PetticoatsThis is a bopping rock 'n' roll musical; one that, like We Will Rock You and Mamma Mia!, is piggybacking on the success of a body of songs. While decent storylines are sidelined in favour of squeezing in yet another hit, the attraction of these shows comes from the toe-tapping, feel-good fun of cruising through classic tunes. As this kind of "nosta15th February 2012Saturday 24th November 2012
Where:
TIMES Various Times PRICING £15-£50
This is a bopping rock 'n' roll musical; one that, like We Will Rock You and Mamma Mia!, is piggybacking on the success of a body of songs. While decent storylines are sidelined in favour of squeezing in yet another hit, the attraction of these shows comes from the toe-tapping, feel-good fun of cruising through classic tunes. As this kind of "nosta... More about this event
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Further articles featuring Playhouse Theatre on LondonTown.com
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London > Hotels > Luxury Chain Hotel Deluxe Double Rooms: 62% off from £319
Whitehall Place, SW1A | 1 minute from Playhouse Theatre
With 294 bedrooms, multi-level penthouse suites and terraces offering spectacular views of the River Thames, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall - the £300 million restoration of the ...More
London > Hotels > Mid-Range Chain Hotel Double Rooms: 90% off from £99
The Strand, WC2N | 2 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
This famous Grade II listed Victorian railway hotel has been totally refurbished, from the bars and restaurants to all 239 rooms, providing every modern convenience whilst ...More
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Whitehall Court, SW1A2EJ | 2 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
Emulating the style of a French chateau, this grand Victorian residence, built in 1884, occupies a prime location within Westminster. It’s worth staying at the Grade ...More
London > Entertainment > Theatres
The Strand, Covent Garden, London WC2R | 5 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
The Adelphi Theatre is a London institution - an historic venue with a long history of staging upscale musicals. Now a West End stalwart, it ...More
London > Entertainment > Theatres
St Martin's Lane, Covent Garden, London WC2N | 5 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
London Coliseum is a magnificent historic building and an excellent venue in which to enjoy the soaring sounds and high drama of some truly thrilling operas. ...More
London > Entertainment > Theatres
Strand, Covent Garden, London WC2R | 6 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
Originally designed by CJ Phipps and first opened on 16th April 1870 with the comedy 'For Love or Money', the current Vaudeville Theatre is the third ...More
London > Entertainment > Arts Centres
Belvedere Road, South Bank, London SE1 | 7 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
The Southbank Centre is a classic example of brutal 60s concrete architecture. Everyone has an opinion (usually negative) on its distinctive design - famous detractors include ...More
London > Entertainment > Live Music
Belvedere Road, South Bank, London SE1 | 7 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
Located by the River Thames, with sweeping views of the capital from the London Eye to St Paul's Cathedral, the Southbank Centre is a unique metropolitan ...More
London > Entertainment > Cinemas
24-26 Leicester Square, Soho, London WC2H | 8 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
One of London's biggest cinemas, the Odeon Leicester Square regularly plays host to premieres and awards ceremonies as well as screening the biggest of the week's ...More
London > Events > Exhibitions Dates: Wednesday 15th February 2012 - 1pm-1.15pm
National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, WC2N | 5 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
A talk about the artist's life and work....More
London > Events > Leisure Dates: Wednesday 15th February 2012 - 12.30pm
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, SE1 | 7 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
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London > Events > Exhibitions Dates: 13th February, 14th February and 15th February 2012 - 10am-6pm
Riflemaker Gallery, 79 Beak Street, W1F | 16 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
Contemporary portrait paintings exploring the artist's pre-occupation with the smile motif....More
Sights and Attractions near Playhouse Theatre
London > Attractions > Art Galleries
32 John Adam Street, Covent Garden, London WC2N | 3 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
Alex Proud started out as a Japanese antiques dealer but a twist of fate led Proud to switch to photography. The impetus for change came in ...More
London > Attractions > Sights
Whitehall, Westminster, London SW1A | 3 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
Standing solemnly in the middle of Whitehall, visitors could be forgiven for passing the Cenotaph by unnoticed. But every November it becomes the focus of Britain's ...More
London > Attractions > Historic Buildings
Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, London WC2N | 4 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
This historic church of St Martin-in-the-Fields overlooking Trafalgar Square was built in 1726 and is the best known work of Scottish architect James Gibbs whose ...More
London > Shopping > Specialists
7 Charing Cross Underground Shopping Arcade, Covent Garden, London WC2N | 4 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
From budding Harry Potters and bumbling Tommy Coopers to dynamic David Copperfields, Davenports is a haven for magicians of every level and ability. Non-magicians too are ...More
London > Shopping > Specialists
27 Maiden Lane Covent Garden, Covent Garden, London WC2E | 7 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
Especially for homesick Australians, this shop sells all manner of goods you would find on the shelves of a general store Down Under, from Vegemite to ...More
London > Shopping > Books
25 Cecil Court, Covent Garden, London WC2N | 7 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
As specialists in Modern First Editions, Nigel Williams Rare Books stocks 19th and 20th century literature, children's books by authors such as Enid Blyton, A.A. Milne ...More
Restaurants near Playhouse Theatre
London > Restaurants > Cafes and Delis
25 Villiers Street, Covent Garden, London WC2N | 2 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
Pret sells up market fast food, hand made from natural ingredients, to take away or eat on site, in its trademark no nonsense chrome interiors. The ...More
London > Restaurants > Cafes and Delis
11 Strand, Covent Garden, London WC2N | 3 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
This chain of juice bars squishes together a delightful variety of flavoursome, healthy drinks. They press fresh juice fruit right in front of you, and blend ...More
London > Restaurants > Mediterranean restaurants
10 Northumberland Avenue, Westminster, London WC2N | 3 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
Adding another notch to his London portfolio, David Collins has designed the exquisite Massimo restaurant within the grand 5 star Corinthia Hotel London in Whitehall Place. ...More
London > Education > Arts and Drama
Somerset House, Covent Garden, London WC2R | 9 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
The Courtauld is one of the most prestigious art schools in the country, affiliated with the Oxbridge system and boasting a huge private location and prime ...More
London > Education > Medical Schools
Strand, Covent Garden, London WC2R | 9 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
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London > Education > English Language Courses
10 Coptic Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1A | 17 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
English [Out There!] takes a very hands-on approach to learning English. The course places an emphasis on using what you have learned. Students are taken out ...More
Leisure near Playhouse Theatre
London > Leisure > Health and Beauty
Westminster Bridge Road, South Bank, London SE1 | 8 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
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London > Leisure > Parks and Gardens
3 Belvedere Road, South Bank, South Bank, London SE1 | 8 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
The concrete promenade along the South Bank greatly benefits from this large patch of green grass for striders, strollers and sightseers to relax on. Not ...More
London > Leisure > Fitness
12 Floral Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E | 8 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
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London > Nightlife > Pubs
10 Northumberland Street, Covent Garden, London WC2N | 2 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
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London > Restaurants > Gastropub
90 St Martins Lane, Covent Garden, London WC2N | 7 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
Gastropub ...More
London > Nightlife > Pubs
33 Rose Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E | 8 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
One of the oldest pubs in London, the Lamb & Flag was once known as the Bucket of Blood, thanks to the bare-knuckle fights held here. ...More
Nightlife near Playhouse Theatre
London > Nightlife > Bars
Corinthia Hotel London, Whitehall Place, Westminster, London SW1A | 1 minute from Playhouse Theatre
The cocktails in the Bassoon Piano Bar are very good, expensive, yes, but very, very good. Not only that but the bar has a piano which ...More
London > Nightlife > Wine Bars
47 Villiers Street, Covent Garden, London WC2N | 2 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
London's oldest wine bar and family-run underground tavern. Home to Samuel Pepys in the 1680s, the building housing Gordon’s is now home to a regular, thriving crowd ...More
Meeting venue hire near Playhouse Theatre
London > Business > Venue Hire
8 John Adam Street, Covent Garden, London WC2N | 4 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
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London > Business > Venue Hire
Whitehall, Westminster, London SW1A | 5 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
The only surviving section of Whitehall Palace. In its heyday the largest royal palace in Europe, this historic venue is the only surviving section of Whitehall Palace ...More
London > Business > Venue Hire
Jubilee Gardens, South Bank, South Bank, London SE1 | 6 minutes from Playhouse Theatre
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Our recommendations in the same street as Playhouse Theatre
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What's On Today Near Playhouse Theatre ![]() Dreamboats And Petticoats Theatre | Until 24th November 2012 Playhouse Theatre At Playhouse Theatre This is a bopping rock 'n' roll musical; one that, like We Will Rock You and Mamma Mia!, is piggybacking ...More ![]() Pajama Men: In The Middle of No-One Comedy | Until 21st February 2012 Charing Cross Theatre 2 minutes walk from Playhouse Theatre Following the runaway success of their sell-out Soho Theatre show, the internationally award-winning Pajama Men return with their smash hit, ...More Korean For Beginners Exhibitions | Until 28th March 2012 Korean Cultural Centre 3 minutes walk from Playhouse Theatre ...More Korean For Intermediate2 Exhibitions | Until 28th March 2012 Korean Cultural Centre 3 minutes walk from Playhouse Theatre ...More Korean For Intermediate3 Exhibitions | Until 28th March 2012 Korean Cultural Centre 3 minutes walk from Playhouse Theatre ...More Sex With A Stranger Theatre | Until 25th February 2012 Trafalgar Studios 4 minutes walk from Playhouse Theatre Stuck in a rut in his relationship, Adam ventures out for a night with his friends but doesn't guess where ...More ![]() Three Days In May Theatre | Until 3rd March 2012 Trafalgar Studios 4 minutes walk from Playhouse Theatre Ben Brown's thrilling and captivating political drama takes audiences behind the doors of 10 Downing Street during Three Days in ...More The Fabulations Concerts | On 15th February 2012 St Martin-in-the-Fields 4 minutes walk from Playhouse Theatre The five-piece play jazz, swing, funk and soul....More London Brass Rubbing Centre Kids Events | Until 31st December 2012 London Brass Rubbing Centre 4 minutes walk from Playhouse Theatre Get to grips with characters from history with a selection of replica brasses on offer including Medieval knights in armour, ...More Boucher: Talk Exhibitions | On 15th February 2012 National Gallery 5 minutes walk from Playhouse Theatre A talk about 18th-century artist....More
Hotels near Playhouse Theatre
From cheap budget places to stay to luxury 5 star suites see our special offers for Playhouse Theatre hotels, including Corinthia Hotel London from 62% off. |












