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Gruffalo
Join Mouse on a journey through the deep dark wood…
Lyric Theatre
Lyric Theatre
Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 7ESLyric Theatre Safety Policy
Health & safety measures
- 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 Although the theatre has undergone various renovations, it still uses an outdated electric pump which amazingly still operates the venue’s remarkable iron curtain.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 15/02/2026 15:00:00. Tickets for Hadestown start at £25 and are available to book now.
The Smeds and The Smoos is the current production at Lyric Theatre. The latest booking period for The Smeds and The Smoos at Lyric Theatre started 12/04/2022 14:00:00 and runs until 07/09/2025 10:30:00. Tickets for The Smeds and The Smoos start at £13 and are available to book now.
Buffy Revamped is the current production at Lyric Theatre. The latest booking period for Buffy Revamped at Lyric Theatre started 09/01/2023 19:30:00 and runs until 22/09/2025 19:30:00. Tickets for Buffy Revamped start at £36 and are available to book now.
Lyric Theatre is located in London. The full address is Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 7ES.
Musical
Hadestown
Welcome to Hadestown, where a song can change your fate
From £25
GREAT SEATS FROM £55
Play
The Smeds and The Smoos
An out-of-this world production for the whole family.
From £13
Play
Buffy Revamped
Step back in time to the 90s in Buffy Revamped - the epic recount of the classic series!
From £36
Musical
Roles We'll Never Play
The hit show returns to the West End for one night only!
Play
Boy Out The City
Witness Declan Bennett's unfiltered autobiographical debut
Musical
Gals Aloud
Girls Aloud are back as you’ve never seen them before in the drag extravaganza Gals Aloud!
Play
Knightmare Live - Level 2
Play
Encounters: Performers on Performance
Play
Secret Rapture
Play
The Circus of Horrors
Play
Joe Lycett: That's The Way, A-ha A-ha
Musical
LIZA (on an E)
Trevor Ashley as the irrepressible, incomparable and infamously iconic Liza Minnelli in Liza (on an E)
Play
We're Going on a Bear Hunt
Musical
CAMUT - Life is Rhythm
Dance
Flamenco Flamenka
Play
Smaller
Play
Dany Boon "Best Of"
Concert
Graeme Swann’s Great British Spin Off with Henry Blofeld – The Second Innings
This is an unmissable show full of surprises, anecdotes, impressions and more!
Musical
Curtis Stigers
Concert
Facing East in Concert
Concert
All-Star Comedy Benefit for Jim Tavare
Don't miss the opportunity to support a good a cause and see 12 top comedians at the same time!
Musical
Never Forget (Lyric)
Play
Simon Callow in The Man Jesus
Musical
#searchforatwitterstar LIVE!
Musical
Beautiful and Damned
Play
Outings
‘Punchy, lucid and moving… Highly recommended.’ -- The Guardian
Concert
Chris Ramsey: All Growed Up
Play
Hitchcock Blonde
Play
Home and Beauty
Dance
Pasha and Katya
Musical
Godspell In Concert
Dance
Explosion UK
Play
ENCOUNTERS: Performers on Performance: TIM MINCHIN
Play
Raising Expectations
Play
Constant Wife
Play
Festen
Play
I, Feuerbach
Play
Centrepoint's Laughing Point
Concert
Joe Stilgoe in New Songs for Old Souls - Christmas Special
Musical
A Journey to the Past
A one night only celebration of Ahrens & Flaherty.
Dance
Metamorphosis
Maria Caruso’s Metamorphosis in London for 2 performances only!
Concert
There's No Place Like Home
Join Charlie Kristensen and friends for a sensational night of musical theatre!
Concert
Trevor Ashley – Queen of the Moment
Trevor Ashley is THE queen of the moment in this night of laugh-out-loud entertainment!
Concert
Suggs: What A King Cnut – A Life in The Realm Of Madness
Suggs is treading the boards again with a brand new show, his life in his words and music
Musical
Blippi The Musical
Blippi The Musical returns to the stage in time for Christmas
Musical
Mean Gals
Mean Gals at Lyric Theatre
Musical
Death Note: The Musical in Concert - Lyric Theatre
Unleash the power of the supernatural pen in Death Note, a thrilling battle of justice!
Musical
Elton John: It's A Little Bit Funny
Elton John: It's A Little Bit Funny comes to the West End for One-Night-Only
Play
Adam Kay: Undoctored – This is Going to Hurt More
One of Britain's biggest-selling authors tells all about life on the NHS frontline!
Musical
West End Live Lounge: The Greats
Some of the West End's brightest stars come together to sing the hits
Play
We're Going on a Bear Hunt
Your hunt for the perfect family show is over. Let's go on a bear hunt!
Musical
La Voix - Eighth Wonder of the World
La Voix in London for one night only!
Concert
Mandy Patinkin in Concert
See Mandy Patinkin - one of the most beloved actors, singers and storytellers of our time.
Musical
Sam Bailey: Live in the West End
Musical
Only One Direction
Dance
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.
Play
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.
Musical
WeGotTickets Musical Comedy Awards Final
Hosted by the wonderful Tina T'urner Tea Lady!
Play
Midlife Cowboy
Musical
Aspects of Love
Michael Ball stars in Andrew Lloyd Webber's tangled love story Aspects of Love!
Musical
Get Up Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical
Bob Marley's fascinating story gets the full West End treatment in this new bio-musical
Play
Peter Pan Goes Wrong
Peter Pan Goes Wrong returns to London's West End for a limited time only, book now.
Musical
La Voix - The Red Ambition Tour
Join the UK’s funniest red-headed drag queen in her most ambitious show yet!
Musical
Bloody Elle
Part gig, part one-woman show, Bloody Elle is a tale of falling in love for the first time
Musical
Six
DIVORCED, BEHEADED, LIVE! AT THE LYRIC! Tickets to hit West End musical Six are among the hottest in Theatreland!
Musical
Thriller Live
Thriller Live celebrates the world’s greatest entertainer and undisputed King of Pop, Michael Jackson.
Concert
Julia Jacklin
The multi award-winning artist returns to London!
Play
Operation Ouch Live on Stage
TV’s favourite doctors return to the West End this December
Musical
West End Musical Halloween
Avoid the tricks and treat yourself to this must-see West End concert!
Play
Room On The Broom Live
Iggety ziggety zaggety zoom! Room on the Broom flies back into the West End!
Musical
La Voix Live in London
Star of RuPaul's Drag Race UK puts the La into London Palladium
Musical
West End Musical Love Songs
West End Musical Love Songs blends romantic ballads and West End stars
Musical
SuperYou Musical in Concert
This journey of hope and resilience at the Lyric Theatre stars the incredible Lucie Jones!
Concert
Seasons of Larson
Musical
West End Musical Christmas
Shine bright this festive season and celebrate with this merry West End concert.