Sondheim Theatre  

 

 

ADDRESS

51 Shaftesbury Avenue, Soho, London W1D 6BA

 

 

TELEPHONE

0844 482 5151 

 

TWITTER

@DMTWestEnd

 

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With a new name and following a major renovation, Queen's Theatre became the Sondheim Theatre in December 2019, reopening with Cameron Mackintosh's new version of Les Miserables. The paradox of the Shaftesbury Avenue theatre, so ugly outside, so gorgeous within, is explained by a German bomb, which destroyed the facade and foyer in 1940. For almost twenty years, the theatre stood empty, before a reconstruction in 1959 created the current curve of concrete and brick. A photo in the foyer shows the theatre as it once looked, but if you want to see it in reality, the Gielgud Theatre is almost identical to the original design. The effect of stepping into the auditorium from such a bleak surround is truly magical, with the exquisite cream and gold colour scheme, and domed ceiling more than compensating for the errors of the reconstruction. A venue that has focused on short runs of high-quality dramas for much of its existence, the Sondheim Theatre has been home to many of the greatest British actors, including Noel Coward's final stage appearances, Vanessa, Lynn and Jemma

Sondheim Theatre  The Sondheim Theatre, London, auditorium, photo: Philip Vile