Apollo Theatre
Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 7EZ
Apollo Theatre Safety Policy
- All visitors asked to wear masks
- Regular visible cleaning of all touchable surfaces before and after performances
- One way routing in building to minimise contact
- Signage regarding social distancing etiquette
- Paperless or print at home tickets
- Availability of hand sanitiser
- Declaration on entry to confirm you have no Covid-19 symptoms
- Limited numbers with socially distanced seating
Getting here
Closest Tube Station
Piccadilly CircusClosest Train Station
Charing CrossThe Apollo Theatre first opened its doors more than a century ago on 21st February 1901. It is a Grade II building and also one of the most well-known theatres in London’s West End.
Enter the Apollo Theatre
The Apollo Theatre first opened its doors more than a century ago on 21st February 1901. It is a Grade II building and also one of the most well-known theatres in London’s West End. Based on architect Lewin Sharp’s design, Henry Lowenfield - a Polish-born British businessman and theatrical impresario - commissioned the building's construction. When the theatre officially opened, it became the 4th legitimate venue for theatrical performances to be built on the street. The first show at the Apollo was the American musical comedy The Belle Of Bohemia. Located in Shaftesbury Avenue in the City of Westminster, the theatre offers a seating capacity of 775. The grand, tall structure comprises three levels – the Grand Circle, Dress Circle and Stalls. Nimax Theatres currently owns the building.
Its Construction, History, and Owners
The Apollo Theatre is one of the only London theatres to be freehold instead of leasehold. It is also the only fully finished theatre design by architect Lewin Sharp. The venue was named after the Greek deity of the arts and built for the specific purpose of hosting musical theatres. Builder Walter Wallis constructed the building with plain London brick, and the front piece highlights the Renaissance style with T. Simpson’s sculpted stone fascia. The building surrounds a 4-level auditorium, with a first-floor central loggia and three cantilevered balconies. After the demise of Queen Victoria, the theatre became London’s first theatrical venue to be completed in the Edwardian period. Unlike today’s 775 seats, the theatre initially opened with 893 seats. In 1932, Ernest Schaufelberg renovated the theatre and installed a private foyer and an anteroom to the Royal Box.
Before Nimax Theatres bought the Apollo, several different owners ran the venue.
- 1944: Prince Littler ran the theatre.
- 1975: Stoll Moss Group became new owners of the theatre.
- 2000: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group and Bridgepoint Capital bought it.
- 2005: Max Weitzenhoffer and Nica Burns bought the theatre and created the Nimax Theatres.
Past Productions
In 2013, the theatre’s balcony sitting collapsed during a performance of The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time, after which it saw a major restoration. On 26th March 2014, the venue reopened with an adaptation of Let The Right One In which was produced by the National Theatre of Scotland.
The Belle Of Bohemia, the first production at the Apollo, ran for 72 performances. John Martin-Harvey’s season followed, which included an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Tale Of Two Cities, The Only Way, and A Cigarette Maker’s Romance. Later, from 1920 to 1923, Edward Laurillard and George Grossmith Jr. managed the venue and presented a series of revivals and plays like the stage version of George Du Maurier’s novel Trilby, and H.F. Maltby’s Such A Nice Young Man. In 1928, R.C. Sherriff’s Journey’s End starred Laurence Olivier. The Apollo Theatre has run numerous productions, and its recent hits include Peter Pan Goes Wrong (2016) and Travesties (2017).

Everybody's Talking About Jamie is the current production at Apollo Theatre. The latest booking period for Everybody's Talking About Jamie at Apollo Theatre started 02/01/2018 19:30:00 and runs until 29/08/2021 19:30:00. Tickets for Everybody's Talking About Jamie start at £24 and are available to book now.
Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain - Part Five! is the current production at Apollo Theatre. The upcoming booking period for Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain - Part Five! at Apollo Theatre starts 29/07/2021 14:00:00 and runs until 28/08/2021 11:00:00. Tickets for Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain - Part Five! start at £24 and are available to book now.
Monday Night at the Apollo is the current production at Apollo Theatre. The upcoming booking period for Monday Night at the Apollo at Apollo Theatre starts 24/05/2021 19:30:00 and runs until 05/07/2021 19:30:00. Tickets for Monday Night at the Apollo start at £24 and are available to book now.
The Distance You Have Come is the current production at Apollo Theatre. The upcoming booking period for The Distance You Have Come at Apollo Theatre starts 21/06/2021 19:30:00 and runs until 28/06/2021 19:30:00. Tickets for The Distance You Have Come start at £28 and are available to book now.
Apollo Theatre is located in London. The full address is Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 7EZ.
Current + Upcoming Events
At The Apollo Theatre
Come see why Jamie is the talk of the town.
Be on the right side of history with cheap tickets for the fifth incarnation of Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain!
Rosalie Craig, Lucie Jones, Cedric Neal and more scheduled to star in Monday Night at the Apollo this year!
The Distance You Have Come starring Alice Fearn!
Past Events
We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone's dead!
Legendary Michael Crawford stars in the new musical The Go-Between at the Apollo Theatre
Sienna Miller and Jack O’Connell star in the iconic play by the genius Tennessee Williams, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof!
★★★★★ 'Tom Hollander is superbly funny' The Independent
See Olivier Award winning Eve Best, Anthony Head and Edward Bluemel in this great comedy!
The Snail and the Whale comes to the Apollo Theatre to take us on an adventure around the world!
The Globe's production of Twelfth Night at The Apollo Theatre, starring Stephen Fry and Mark Rylance.
Summer and Smoke classic American drama
CBBC's Doctor Chris and Doctor Xand live on the West End stage
Do not miss out on the opportunity to see the legendary Mikhail Baryshnikov back in the West End!
★★★★★ 'Had me laughing like a drain' Sunday Telegraph
An atmospheric evening of eerie vampires and teenage love, full of tension and subversion.
Extraordinary staging of an extraordinary 7 Olivier Award winning story of Christopher, a neighbour's dog and a long-kept family secret.
Dr Chris and Dr Xand of Operation Ouch now have a show for adults!
The Vivienne is coming to the Apollo this Christmas and she's Up to Snow Good!
★★★★★ ‘The perfect British comedy…. tender and funny’ The Sunday Times