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Lyric Theatre
Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 7ESLyric Theatre Safety Policy
- Regular visible cleaning of all touchable surfaces before and after performances
- Paperless or print at home tickets
- Pre-order food and drinks online
- Availability of hand sanitiser
Located in Shaftesbury Avenue, the Lyric Theatre is a popular West End theatre. It has a seating capacity of 915 on four levels. C. J. Phipps built the theatre for the producer Henry Leslie. The light opera of the latter hit “Dorothy” made him enough profit to finance the project, as well as transfer the show to open the new theatre on 17th December 1888.
Welcome to the Lyric Theatre
The Lyric is the oldest theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue. Initially specialising in musical theatre, it continued to be the same throughout its history. During the venue’s first 40 years, productions included The Mountebanks (1982), His Excellency (1984), The Chocolate Solider (1910) and Lilac Time (1922). The Lyric has also staged several non-musicals ranging from the works of Shakespeare to Noël Coward. Stars who have graced the theatre with their performance include Marie Tempest, Ellen Terry, Tallulah Bankhead, Laurence Olivier, and Vivien Leigh. More recent actors to play here include Ian McKellen, Woody Harrelson, John Malkovich, Glenda Jackson, and Alec Guinness.
The Architecture and History of the Lyric
In 1932 and 33, the beautiful bars and foyer underwent refurbishment. Later, in 1994, the majestic façade was restored. Although the theatre has undergone various renovations, it still uses an outdated electric pump which amazingly still operates the venue’s remarkable iron curtain. The Lyric Theatre was originally constructed around an already present structure which was once Sir William Hunter’s home and museum and dated back to 1766. While many knew the venue for its comic operas, it gradually became a popular stage for musicals, comedies, and straight dramas.
As opposed to several other theatres in the West End, which have faced difficult times throughout their existence, the best shows at the Lyric by famous playwrights such as J. B. Priestley Eugene O’Neill and George Bernard Shaw kept the theatre standing strong in both its good and bad times. In 1960, it became Grade II listed and is owned by Nimax Theatres today.
Fun fact: A bomb hit the Lyric Theatre during WWI. Some say an Usherette killed in the blast haunts the venue.
The Theatre in the 2000s
Before Nimax Theatres bought the venue in 2005, Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group purchased it in 2000. Productions before then included Fanny Burney’s A Busy Day (2000) starring Sara Crowe and Stephanie Beacham, followed by Brief Encounter’s stage adaptation starring Christopher Cazenove and Jenny Seagrove in the same year. Shows at the theatre in the 2000s came one after another and did not let the venue down.
- The schoolgirl comedy Daisy Pulls It Off had a 3-month-long performance run in 2002.
- In 2003, a revival of Strindberg’s The Dance Of Death starred Ian McKellen and Frances de la Tour.
- Bill Kenwright presented Night Of The Iguana starring Jenny Seagrove, Clare Higgins, and Woody Harrelson in 2005.
- In 2006, Phil McIntyre staged Smaller by Carmel Morgan, starring Alison Moyet and Dawn French.
Hadestown is the current production at Lyric Theatre. The latest booking period for Hadestown at Lyric Theatre started 10/02/2024 19:30:00 and runs until 22/12/2024 15:00:00. Tickets for Hadestown start at £25 and are available to book now.
Lyric Theatre is located in London. The full address is Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 7ES.
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The Circus of Horrors
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Smaller
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‘Punchy, lucid and moving… Highly recommended.’ -- The Guardian
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Home and Beauty
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ENCOUNTERS: Performers on Performance: TIM MINCHIN
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Raising Expectations
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Constant Wife
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Festen
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There's No Place Like Home
Join Charlie Kristensen and friends for a sensational night of musical theatre!
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This journey of hope and resilience at the Lyric Theatre stars the incredible Lucie Jones!
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Trevor Ashley – Queen of the Moment
Trevor Ashley is THE queen of the moment in this night of laugh-out-loud entertainment!
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Suggs: What A King Cnut – A Life in The Realm Of Madness
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The Smeds and The Smoos
The Smeds and The Smoos Tickets
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Roles We'll Never Play
Roles We'll Never Play at the Lyric Theatre!
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Blippi The Musical
Blippi The Musical returns to the stage in time for Christmas
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Cake
Cake tells a story that sparked a revolution through a new and invigorating lens!
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Mean Gals
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Join the UK’s funniest red-headed drag queen in her most ambitious show yet!
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Boy Out The City
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Elton John: It's A Little Bit Funny
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Adam Kay: Undoctored – This is Going to Hurt More
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Some of the West End's brightest stars come together to sing the hits
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Operation Ouch Live on Stage
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Babies
Don't miss this new(born) comedy about growing out of growing up at the Lyric Theatre
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Room On The Broom Live
Room on the Broom flies back into the West End!
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West End Musical Halloween
For a night of freakish delight, get tickets for West End Halloween at Lyric Theatre London.
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Thriller Live
Thriller Live celebrates the world’s greatest entertainer and undisputed King of Pop, Michael Jackson.
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We're Going on a Bear Hunt
Your hunt for the perfect family show is over. Let's go on a bear hunt!
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La Voix - Eighth Wonder of the World
La Voix in London for one night only!
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Mandy Patinkin in Concert
See Mandy Patinkin - one of the most beloved actors, singers and storytellers of our time.
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Six
DIVORCED, BEHEADED, LIVE! AT THE LYRIC! Tickets to hit West End musical Six are among the hottest in Theatreland!
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Sam Bailey: Live in the West End
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Only One Direction
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Giovanni Pernice: Born To Win
Strictly Come Dancing' professional, Giovanni Pernice, will be heading back out on tour in 2018, after a sell out tour in 2017.
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An Evening with Jennifer Saunders
Jennifer Saunders has a sit-down with actor David O-Reilly for a lovely evening at the Lyric Theatre in London.
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WeGotTickets Musical Comedy Awards Final
Hosted by the wonderful Tina T'urner Tea Lady!
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Peter Pan Goes Wrong
Peter Pan Goes Wrong returns to London's West End for a limited time only, book now.
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Midlife Cowboy
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Michael Ball stars in Andrew Lloyd Webber's tangled love story Aspects of Love!
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Join Mouse on a journey through the deep dark wood…