GIELGUD THEATRE
Shaftesbury Avenue
London, W1D 6AR
The Gielgud Theatre opened at the end 1906 and was then called the Hicks Theatre in after the actor, manager and playwright Seymour Hicks, for whom it was built. Designed in Louis XVI style the Gielgud originally had 970 seats, but over the years boxes and seats have been removed so that it now seats 889 people on three levels. The theatre is one the corner of Rupert Street on Shaftesbury and is a pair with the Queen's Theatre, which opened in 1907 on the adjacent street corner.
Known as the Globe Theatre until 1994 it was renamed after the legendary actor Sir John Gielgud ahead of the opening of Shakespeare's Globe on the South Bank. The architect W G R Sprague also designed the Lyceum, Aldwych and Novello Theatres and is well known for elegant, classical flourishes and the Gielgud is no exception.
The Gielgud is part of the Delfont Mackintosh theatre group and has three licensed bar areas.
HOW TO GET TO THE GIELGUD THEATRE
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Tube : Piccadilly Circus (250m) & Charing Cross (550m) Train: Charing Cross ( 550m) |
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14, 19, 38 |
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NCPs at Wardour St, Newport Place, Denman St, Lexington St - 2 spaces for blue badge holders in Archer Street. MasterPark at Poland Street and China Town |
DISABLED ACCESS TO GIELGUD THEATRE
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Hearing-Impaired infra-red system in the auditorium and induction loop at Box Office. Infra-red system with 14 headsets. The best reception is in the front area of all levels of the auditorium. Induction loop at the Box Office |
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Guide dogs are permitted inside the auditorium |
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Entrance to the auditorium is through the third side exit door on Rupert Street. Ask a member of staff to open this for you. One 12cm step up to the front of the Dress Circle. Venue suitable for scooters. Seats B5 and 30 can be removed to provide 2 spaces for wheelchair users |
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Adapted toilet in foyer near the bar |