The Shaftesbury was built in 1911 and originally known as the New Prince’s Theatre. It had great early success with a season of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas and continued to stage short seasons of musicals and plays that had transferred from other theatres. In the 60’s it went on to present a variety of productions including the London premiere of Hair in 1968 with a famous nude scene, which could only open some days after the abolition of theatre censorship. More recently, it has staged musicals, and its biggest success has been Hairspray.
The venue is air conditioned and has 5 licensed bars. The auditorium has a capacity of 1,389 over 3 levels. The last 4 rows in the Stalls and the Royal Circle have their views restricted by the overhang from the tiers above. The Grand Circle is very high and quite far back, and a handrail restricts the view from the first 2 rows.
Disabled access is via the main entrance, which is step free. There are 4 spaces for wheelchairs in Boxes A and B, but these are down 3 steps which you will need help negotiating. There is an adapted toilet adjacent to the Royal Circle. The auditorium has an infra-red sound amplification system for the hard of hearing with 20 headsets and 15 neckloops.
The nearest tube stations are Holborn, Tottenham Court Road and Covent Garden (400m). Parking can be found at the Westminster City Council car park at China Town or the NCP at Museum Street, Drury Lane, Upper St Martin’s Lane or Parker Mews.
Email team@tubehotels.com to get your Shaftesbury Theatre related website listed. It must be complimentary and not a competitor to TubeHotels, and you must be willing to co-promote.