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Performance Times Ticket Prices Where to Buy Tickets  Seating Plan Seat Opinions Getting Here

LEICESTER SQUARE THEATRE
(and "The Lounge")
 

(formerly The Venue Theatre - also note the "The Basement" is now "The Lounge")

Theatremonkey highlights many productions below. There are often even more, so for a full schedule of events, see www.leicestersquaretheatre.com, the official venue website.

 

"Main Auditorium" schedule includes:

 

See www.leicestersquaretheatre.com for details of other productions.

 


Tuesday 2nd until Sunday 7th July 2013
Miss Nightingale – the burlesque musical
NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN OR THE EASILY OFFENDED.
by Matthew Bugg
Tuesday to Saturday at 7pm
Extra performances Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 2.30pm
Runs 2 hours 45 minutes, including one interval.
£25 (£23 concessions)
The hit musical returns to London brighter, bolder and blitzier than ever!
Sex, scandal and showbiz in 1940s London. Two men struggle in the shadows of a war-torn city to thrust a new cabaret star into the spotlight. But backstage lurk secrets more devastating than the Blitz. Miss Nightingale celebrates the vintage glamour, wit and sounds of the war-torn West End. Watch the show trailer: www.missnightingale.co.uk.
This acclaimed new musical returns bigger, bolder and with more burlesque, featuring 20 original songs and a talented troop of actor-musicians. It is directed by Pete Rowe. The cast includes stage and screen actor Ilan Goodman, and award-winning burlesque bombshell Amber Topaz. As well as playing here, the show tours to: Ipswich, Peterborough, Nottingham, Southampton, Wakefield, Worthing, Windor, Salford, Cheltenham, London, Guildford, Halifax and Sheffield. See www.missnightingale.co.uk for dates.
 

 

Sunday 16th until Sunday 22nd June 2013

Patti LuPone
featuring Seth Rudetsky as pianist/host
presented by Mark Cortale
Sunday June 16 at 7.00pm
Tuesday June 18 at 7.00pm (press night)
Wednesday June 19 at 7.00pm
Thursday June 20 at 7.00pm
Saturday June 22 at 6.30pm
Sunday June 22 at 4.30pm and 7.00pm
£65, £40
Mark Cortale presents the legendary star of Evita & Sunset Boulevard.
Presented in association with Martin Witts for London International Arts Theatres Limited
Patti LuPone is best known for her Tony Award-winning performance as Eva Peron in Evita on Broadway and creating the role of Fantine in the original London cast of Les Mis, for which she was named Best Actress in a Musical at the Oliviers. She created the role of Norma Desmond in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard in the West End and won a second Best Actress Tony Award as Mama Rose in the 2008 Broadway revival of Gypsy.

Saturday 22nd June 2013
Seth Rudetsky's Deconstructing Broadway
presented by Mark Cortale
9.30pm
£17.50, £15.00
Best known to US audiences as the daily Broadway host of Sirius/XM radio, he was also nominated for a Grammy Award for his recordings of the musical Hair. Rudetsky's career has also included performing in Broadway shows, writing three books, penning a weekly Playbill.com column, and playing piano in more than a dozen hit musicals. In Deconstructing Broadway, this multi-talented performer gives an insightful, affectionate and, above all, hysterical take on some of the greatest musical theatre moments. www.SethTV.com.

 

 
Monday 8 - Saturday 13 July

Luke Jermay: A Sixth Sense
Monday 8 July at 7.30pm
Tuesday 9 July at 7.30pm (Press Night)
Wednesday 10 July at 7.30pm
Friday 12 July at 10.00pm
Saturday 13 July at 7.30pm
Mon - Wed all seats £16
Fri & Sat all seats £18

Luke Jermay is the most incredible psychological illusionist you've probably never heard of.
Dubbed "The Real Mentalist" as a consultant on the hit US Top 5 TV series 'The Mentalist,' he has also been a writer and creative coach to Derren Brown and many other top illusionists. Now Luke Jermay is bringing his perceptive skills to the West End for the first time after many years headlining his own one-man show in Las Vegas. Now is the time for Luke Jermay to step into the spotlight in his own right - and you won't believe your eyes and ears!

A mentalist uses mental acuity, hypnosis and/or suggestion and is a master manipulator of thoughts. English-born Luke Jermay was hailed by the American media due to his amazing live performances in which he demonstrates the amazing things the fictional character Patrick Jane from The Mentalist only pretends to do.
He knows your past, present and future; sometimes better than you do. From your favourite schoolteacher, childhood pet even the colour of your underwear, Jermay impossibly knows all, sees all and tells (almost) all in an expert display of intuition developed to amazing razor sharp accuracy.
Luke Jermay's skills and abilities will challenge you to re-examine what you believe is possible.

Produced by Martin Witts for London International Arts Theatre Ltd (LIAT) in association with Guido Fabris & Caroline Khouri for Chokolate Ltd

 

Mondays 3, 10, 17 June
Richard Herring's Leicester Square Podcast
£14
The "Podfather" (Guardian) brings his Sony Award nominated Edinburgh Fringe Podcast to London to chat with big comedy stars and showcase the best new comedians. Topical humour, improvised comedy chat and serious chat about comedy.
June 3 Special Guest: Stephen Fry.
Future Guests TBA.

Friday 21 June
The Larry Carlton Quartet
8.30pm
£28.50
Nineteen-time Grammy nominee, Four-time Grammy winner and all-time guitar great, Larry Carlton established himself from his first recording, A Little Help from My Friends. Listen, learn and be profoundly moved.


Tuesday 25 - Saturday 29 June
Supreme Fabulettes: Viva La Drag
£19.50
London’s acclaimed all-male female close harmony vocal group, combining slick choreography, amazing vocal harmonies, stunning couture outfits and signature Glee-style song mash-ups.

Thursday 27 June
Mat Ricardo’s London Varieties
9.30pm
£15 | Conc £12.50
The West End's new variety show, hosted by award-winning cabaret star Matt Ricardo. With Jimmy Cricket, Rod Laver, So and So Circus and a secret very special surprise guest.

Sunday 30 June
Austentatious: An Improvised Jane Austen Novel
7pm
£12.50, £10
Austentatious are delighted to cordially invite you to an improvised Jane Austen novel. Offering an eloquent, irreverent and 100% improvised take on Britain’s favourite novelist - watch a full-length Austen story crafted from scratch, entirely based on your suggestions!

Sunday 30 June
Lewis Shaffer’s American Guide To England
4pm
£10 | Conc £8
The New York comic teaches the English about England. Lewis Schaffer isn't a tourist. He isn't here on business. He's a hostage. Host of Resonance FM's 'Nunhead American Radio'.
 

Thursday 19 - Saturday 21 September
Press Night: Thursday 19 September

The Book of Merman and Well-Strung
Thursday September 19 at 6.30pm
Friday September 20 at 9.15pm
Saturday September 21 at 9.15pm
£35, £30, £25

International Drag Sensation Varla Jean Merman is back with The Book of Merman, her first London show in 10 years!
Join international Drag Sensation Varla Jean Merman plus newcomers Well-Strung,The Singing String Quartet, for a two-act evening of sublime entertainment
Varla Jean (aka Jeffery Roberson) is best known for appearing in the cult film Girls Will Be Girls, starring on Broadway in the musical Chicago as Mary Sunshine and for appearing on TV’s Project Runway.

Act 1 features all-male string quartet Well-Strung, classical musicians who also sing, putting their own spin on the music of Mozart, Vivaldi, Rihanna, Adele, Lady Gaga, and many more! The group features Edmund Bagnell (first violin), Christopher Marchant (second violin), Daniel Shevlin (cello) and Trevor Wadleigh (viola). The show, fresh from two successful Off-Broadway runs, features material written by Donna Drake, Mark Cortale and Jeffery Roberson. Musical arrangements by David Levinson; additional arrangements by Daniel Shevlin. Well-Strung was conceived by Christopher Marchant and Mark Cortale.
Act Two of the evening is Varla Jean Merman in The Book of Merman featuring hilarious new songs, videos and monologues. Varla Jean recently starred in the new Off-Broadway musical Lucky Guy opposite Emmy Award-winning Leslie Jordan from Will & Grace, prompting The New York Times to rave, “If Carol Burnett and Harvey Korman had stood in front of the right pair of funhouse mirrors, they might have resembled Ms. Merman and Mr. Jordan in stature as well as comedic talent". As Varla Jean, Jeffery Roberson has filled cabarets and concert halls across the world including Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall, the New York Public Theater, and London's Soho Theatre.
Presented by Mark Cortale in association with Martin Witts for London International Arts Theatres Limited
 

 

 

 

 

 

"The Lounge" schedule:


See www.leicestersquaretheatre.com for extra details of other productions.

 


THEATRE:

Lewis Shaffer’s American Guide To England
Sunday 2, 9, 16, 23 June 6pm | £10
The New York comic teaches the English about England. Lewis Schaffer isn't a tourist. He isn't here on business. He's a hostage. Host of Resonance FM's 'Nunhead American Radio'.

_______________________________________________________

Monday 3rd until Sunday 30th June 2013
Press Night Monday 3rd June 2013

 

Team Love Productions present a new comedy play:

HUMAN:RESOURCES
written and directed by David J Collyer


This time it's Personnel.

Ever loved someone? Ever had a job? Ever loved someone at the job you had? Ever lied on your CV? Ever lied to your lover? Ever lied to your lover on your CV? This is the play for you.

Human:Resources is a comedy about love, work, jobs and sex. It features four characters: disillusioned 30-something Emily White (junior), company man Joel Harper-Wells (manager), failed writer Alec Elliott and looking-for-love pizza waitress Tally Castle, whose paths cross at the HR department of an energy company. Their professional and romantic ambitions collide in this new comedy exploring the mutual causes and consequences of our relationships and careers.

Human:Resources is David J Collyer's second play, his first being Modern Love ('True to life and often touchingly funny', British Theatre Guide). Further writing credits include a six part music industry comedy-drama 'Access All Areas', currently in development following a rehearsed reading at The Soho Theatre.


Cast: Daniel Curshen (Alec), Genna Foden (Emily), Bernice Pike (Tally), Irwin Sparkes (Joel).



 

Performance Times and Dates:
Sun June 9th - 8pm
Mon June 10th - 7pm
Wed June 12th - 7pm
Sat June 15th - 2pm

Sat 22nd June - 2pm
Sun 23rd June - 8pm

Sat 29th June - 2pm
Sun 30th June – 2pm




 

Seat Prices:
All tickets: £
14.50 (£12.50 concessions)

_______________________________________________________

Sunday 16 June
An Evening with Becs - Britain's New 21st Century Medium

8pm
£12.50
From a very young age Becs knew just how different she was…… Not many children grow up wanting to speak to dead people! It wasn’t until she embraced her true self and embarked on her own personal life transition that her spiritual growth blossomed.

Monday 17 June
Casual Violence

7pm
£7
Award-winning comedy bastards Casual Violence bring the bleak with House of Nostril: a gloom trodden tale of treachery, taxidermy and terror.

Tuesday 18 June
Nat Luurtsema: Here She Be

7pm
£5
A lose-your-shoes funny new hour of stand-up from Nat-from-Jigsaw about loving your ex but not in that way and some far less mature things. Star of Jigsaw's Radii 4 series and BBC3's Live at the Electric.

Tuesday 18 June
Monster

8.30pm
£8
Another cracking night packed full or mirth, merriment and ruddy good times.

Wednesday 19 June
An Evening with The Sondheim Society and Rachael Louise Miller

7pm
£15, £12.50
The launch of a new series of informal cabarets featuring an exciting mix of new talent and more established artists who all share a passion for performing Sondheim and similar repertoire.

Wednesday 19 June
Magician or Superhero? (Edinburgh preview)

8.30pm
£5
Being a superhero is a burden to most. But not if you don’t use your powers to do mundane tasks like rescuing people from burning buildings, saving the world etc. Having super strength, X-Ray vision and lightning speed can be fun if you use it wisely.... i.e. for financial gain and to impress women.

Thursday 20 June
Eric Lampaert: Two Tickets To The Gum Show

7pm
£6
T4 Rising Star 2012, Life’s Too Short, Cardinal Burns, The Midnight Beast with a freak show to get the topic of his weird face out of the way.

Thursday 20 June
Confessions – The Maydays

8.30pm
£8
Your confessions. Onstage. The Maydays will bring you forgiveness and atonement through sketches and song...

Friday 21 June
Rachel Parris: The Commission

7pm
£6
Rachel Parris gets asked to write songs for the great and the good. And the ugly. She gets commissioned to write songs she doesn't want to write. In this darkly twisted debut from the award-nominated musical comedian, she performs some of the songs she wanted to send them.

Friday 21 June
C$R$E$A$M

8.30pm
£5
Run by Edinburgh best newcomer nominee Ben Target and Chortle best newcomer nominee Mark Stephenson, this will be an explosion of talents better than those you’ve seen on TV that you think you like but won’t after this.

Saturday 22 June
Matt Richardson - Hometown Hero (Edinburgh Preview)

7pm
£5
Join multi-award winning stand-up comedian Matt Richardson as he previews his hotly anticipated debut solo show encompassing life, being liked and nosebleeds.

Saturday 22 June
Christian O’Connell

8.30pm
£6
The 8-time Sony Award Winning DJ’s (Absolute Radio Breakfast Show) debut stand-up show.

Monday 24 June
David Mills – The Gospel Truth

7pm
£7
Droll raconteur David Mills is back with a new hour of stylish, razor-sharp comedy.

Tuesday 25 June
Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre - In Space

7pm
£10 | Conc £9
“The Abbott & Costello of the sock world” (Time Out), stars of stage, screen & Youtube bring you a new show of songs, sketches, socks and violence with a Sci Fi theme.

Tuesday 25 June
Trentcaster

8.30pm
£5
James Acaster (Foster’s Award Best Comedy Show Nominee 2012) and David Trent (Foster’s Award Best Newcomer Nominee 2012) try out new material.

Wednesday 26 June
Lloyd Langford: Galoot

7pm
£8
Ga-loot noun \gə-ˈlüt\ Slang. A fellow, especially one who is strange or foolish. A stand-up comedy show about embracing your inner bellend.

Wednesday 26 June
Richard Sandling’s Perfect Movie

8.30pm
£8
Like Films? Like Comedy? Well, then you'll LOVE "Perfect Movie".

Thursday 27 June
Dan Nightingale: Love in the Time of Cholesterol

7pm
£8
World class stand up and hilarity from the star of John Bishop's Only Joking, on love, life and general humorous misuse of an existence.

Thursday 27 June
The Humble Quest for Universal Genius

8.30pm
£9 - £7
The cult comedy quiz show.

Friday 28 June
Laughs At The Lounge

7pm
£TBC
This month includes BBC3’s Impractical Joker JOEL DOMMETT, moustached comedy maverick Paul Sweeney, up and coming star Conor Drum and WINNER of Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Romesh Ranganathan.

Friday 28 June
PowerCouple: stand-up comedy from Stephen Bailey & Gary John Senior

9pm
 £5
Stephen Bailey and Gary John Senior are not just very funny comedians, they are also dating. PowerCouple is not a tale about being gay - it is much worse than that, it's a tale of being in a relationship.

Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 June
Foil Arms and Hog - Sketch Comedy II
Saturday 29 June 8.30pm & Sunday 30 June 6.30pm
£6
Irish sketch-comedy, potato, potato, potato, potato, potato, potato, potato, potato, pot of gold, potato. You racist.

Sunday 30 June
Geekatorium

8pm
£10
A monthly comedy show about our obsessions! Special Guests: Ray Peacock and Imran Yusuf.

Thursday 1st August until Sunday 15th September 2013

Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens
Book: Charlotte Mann
Lyrics: Charlotte Mann & Michael Fidler
Music: Jonathan Croose & Robin Forrest
Based on original ideas by Johanna Allitt, Simon Curtis, Michael Fidler & Charlotte Mann

Tuesday to Sunday at 8.00pm
pre-show cabaret at 7.30pm
Friday & Saturday night includes a post-show disco
Midnight matinees: Friday 16 & Saturday 18 August 2013
Doors: 10:30pm
Pre Show Cabaret: 11.00pm
Show: 11:30pm

Tuesday - Thursday £18.50
Friday & Saturday £20.50

In the seedy cabaret club Saucy Jack’s, on the planet Frottage III, all is not well. Danger lurks in every corner as the cabaret acts are being picked off one by one by the relentless slingback killer, plunging a murderous heel deep into the victims chest! Against the backdrop of gloom and fear, down-trodden waitress Booby Shevalle, talented Sammy Sax, barman Mitch Maypole, bar-fly Dr. von Whackoff and pan-galactic Chesty Prospects share their dreams and reveal secrets as the evil shadow of the Slingback Killer draws ever near. All is not lost as the glorious Space Vixens arrive, interstellar, super-fashion crime fighters here to save the day by the Power of Disco, with glowing Glitterboots and disco beams. Love interests develop, closets are opened and lives are saved before everything builds to an extraordinary musical climax.
Cast:
Leanne Jones (Bunny Lingus)
Jamie Birkett (Jubilee Climax)
Ralph Bogard (as Saucy Jack)
Kristopher Bosch (Mitch Maypole)
David Malcolm (Booby Shevalle)
Kate Malyon (Anna Labia)
Marcus Reeves (Dr Whackoff)
Nigel Thomas (Sammy Sax)


Thursday 19th until Saturday 21st September 2013
Press Night: Thursday 19th September 2013

Well-Strung
£17.50, £19.50
A European debut show directed and co-written by Donna Drake, original Broadway cast member of A Chorus Line.
“The hottest things with a bow since Jennifer Lawrence in The Hunger Games... their muscles are as toned as their music”
The New York Daily News
One Direction step aside, there’s a new kind of boy band on the circuit. All-male string quartet Well-Strung are classical musicians who also sing, putting their own spin on the music of Mozart, Vivaldi, Rihanna, Adele Lady Gaga, and many more!
Well-Strung’s debut show sold-out in New York at Joe’s Pub and they have had two acclaimed Off-Broadway runs in the past year as well as a debut recording contract on Twist Records.
The group stars first violinist Edmund Bagnell, second violinist Christopher Marchant, cellist Daniel Shevlin and violist Trevor Wadleigh. Edmund Bagnell (first violinist) played Tobias in the first US national tour of Sweeney Todd directed by John Doyle. Chris Marchant (second violinist) grew up singing and playing violin, but was not involved in theatre until he graduated Malone University in Canton, Ohio. Since then, he has been involved in a number of productions using his talents as a vocalist, actor, and musician, including Tobias in a national tour of Sweeney Todd and Provincetown's Naked Boys Singing. Daniel Shevlin (cellist) appeared off-Broadway in The Sandbox written and directed by Edward Albee, and has toured the US and Asia in productions of Rent and Cabaret (Studio 54 version. Trevor Wadleigh (violist) is a member of The String Collective of New York and has performed at Carnegie Hall.
Presented in association with Martin Witts for London International Arts Theatres Limited
presented by Mark Cortale
Conceived by Christopher Marchant and Mark Cortale


 

 

Theatremonkey Opinion:
Not available.


 

Your Reviews: Add your own by clicking here.
Important: Some reviews below can contain "spoilers" - please don't read if this bothers you!  

 

Top Performance Times Ticket Prices Where to Buy Tickets  Seating Plan Seat Opinions Getting Here

Performance Schedule:
The monkey advises checking performance times on your tickets and that performances are happening as scheduled, before travelling.

For Comedy performances, see under individual listings above.

 

Ticket Prices:

Offers May be available - Click Here

View this information in diagram form for productions where prices vary.

For Comedy performances, see under individual listings above.

 

Top Performance Times Ticket Prices Where to Buy Tickets  Seating Plan Seat Opinions Getting Here

Buying Tickets Online:

Other Box Office Information

Tickets offered differ between outlets. Outlets also may offer different seats via their phone and online systems. Offers may be available click here.
Theatre Box Office:
www.leicestersquaretheatre.com
This venue sells its own tickets.
The site allows you to choose your own tickets in the main auditorium (not the Lounge, which is too small!) from those available.

Booking fees per ticket for online bookings:
Fees vary, with around £1.50 per ticket being usual.

Other Online Choices (with S.T.A.R. genuine ticket agencies):

Other Independent S.T.A.R. ticket agencies may also offer an alternative choice of seats.
 

Box Office Information:
Tickets offered differ between outlets. Outlets also may offer different seats via their phone and online systems. Offers may be available click here.
Theatre Box Office:
Telephone: 0844 847 2475.
Operated by Ticketsolve on behalf of the venue.

Booking fees per ticket for telephone bookings:
Fees vary, with around £1.50 per ticket being usual.

For personal callers or by post: 5, Leicester Place, Leicester Square, London WC2H 7BP. 
No booking fee for personal callers. The venue box office normally opens each performance day at 2.30pm for over-the-counter sales, but check by telephone before making a special journey.

Special Access Needs Customers:
Wheelchair users and other registered disabled theatregoers can book their seats on 0844 847 2475 and enquire about concessionary prices that may be available to them.

www.leicestersquaretheatre.com is the official venue website.

 

 
 
Top Performance Times Ticket Prices Where to Buy Tickets  Seating Plan Seat Opinions Getting Here

Theatre Seat Opinions:
Please remember that cheaper seats often do not offer the same view / location quality as top price ones, and that ticket prices are designed to reflect this difference.

Re-opened in August 2008 under new management, the Leicester Square Theatre is proof that not only Cameron Mackintosh cares about creating the best possible theatre environment. The new owner has invested £600,000 and taken on a 30 year lease to bring to us probably the friendliest feeling auditoriums in London. Theatremonkey wishes the team all the very best and much success to come.

A main auditorium is in the space which was "The Venue," while a new, intimate room "The Lounge" offers a second playing area beneath in the, er, basement...

Remember to arrive early, as the auditoriums contain nifty bars and socialising space as the sides of the seating. These usually open to the public from around 30 minutes before the performance begins. Oh, and also take time to study the wall pictures throughout (don't forget the one over the staircase as you descend from the street) - a total hoot, unusual and original.

NOTE: This is a new venue, and opinions are based on "first impressions." It takes time for any theatre to settle in, and the monkey very much welcomes guests' views to build up a broader picture: contact us.

 

Seating Plan Diagram

Main Auditorium

"The Lounge" Auditorium

Notes

Main Auditorium
Once an old underground Ballroom frequented by "The Sex Pistols" and "The Clash," then a church hall, then a clumsily created theatre; it is amazing what professional know-how, thought, time, money and sheer love of theatre can achieve.

This is one of the most comfortable auditoriums in London. Modern seating, well positioned (also heavily bolted down, sadly, and thus so far un-stealable - the monkey tried as it wanted a pair for its lounge) impress greatly.

The "night sky" colour scheme of the ceiling helps make a fairly low room seem open and airy and contrasting carpeting with acoustic underlay help the sound reach all parts of the theatre clearly.

Layout:
A central block of seats in long rows facing a wide, shallow-ish stage.

Either side of the central block are two areas of "slip seats," most have a sideways view to the stage.

The auditorium is not raked (sloped floor to help see over rows in front), but seats are positioned "offset" to those in front, and the stage is high enough to prevent viewing problems. To date (and with many full houses) no problems have been recorded.

To enhance things further, there are small (50cm or so) gaps between some seats in some rows. The effect is to "stagger" seats even more, improving sightlines by arranging things so that most seats are not directly behind the ones in front.

Legroom:
Comfortable in all seats for all but the very tallest (over 6ft 5 or so).

Very best legroom are the front rows of the slips, and the first (1 to 4) and last (22 to 25) seats in row B, which have nothing in front of them, with 5 and 21 also having only a sliver of seat to the side in front.

The new seats are also wide, "accommodating most broader figures admirably," as the politer advertisements might say.

Choosing Seats in General:
Centre Block:
The front row shouldn't prove a "neck ache" experience for anyone.

Behind, in row B, the only issue the monkey noticed was that with scenery in position making the stage smaller, the last few seats in the row have a slightly lesser view of the performer. It doesn't anticipate this being an issue for most productions, though.

Moving back through the theatre, every seat has a clear view. The real purists might decide that the first and last four seats a little less central, but the actual view is fine - best once past row D. Monkey advice is a row F back if you are taking ends of rows, as these show off the stage to best perspective.

At the rear of the central block, a sound desk position is well away from any seating, and won't distract, and six seats in row R, with nothing in front and easy access by the entrance stairs may attract envious glances. R4 here, and Q8 are the nearest public seats to the exit.

Side Slip Blocks:
Either side of the main block, these have instantly become a monkey favourite. An unbeatable combination of price, view and legroom, monkey like.

On the "high-numbers" side, two rows of eight seats run parallel to the wall, facing the main seating block front-on across a wide aisle space. Viewing is side-on to the stage, and the seat nearest the stage may be conscious of a pillar beside it, but there is no impact on view. Best of all, the seats furthest from the stage have a great viewing angle... and are almost within arm's-reach of the bar.

On the "low-numbers" side, an interesting arrangement sees six seats in a line parallel to the wall (as on the other side of the theatre), with a row of three and a row of two behind that. There is then a gap, and two rows of front-facing seats (one of five, behind of four) are angled to face the stage. The monkey liked the two nearest the aisle in particular. Perhaps because the bar is but a sparrow-hop away from them...

General Hazard Notes:
Mind your step down into the auditorium, they are fairly small.

Sound desk behind the centre block.

Some events use only the centre of the stage. Extreme row ends may not see into the rear corners of it.

Changes for the current production:
None.

Reader Comments:
"Venue: Might be worthwhile pointing out to people that, given the size of the venue, it would be difficult not to feel part of the action. Except of course in those side seats 'cos you'd be looking at the opposite wall. LOL"

“Central Row B: Lovely comfortable seats with lots of leg room."

"D7: “Alex Gaumond's gig” (May 2011). I'd heartily endorse your general comments on the main auditorium; a very comfortable space, with outstanding acoustics and a surprising amount of legroom for a flat auditorium. Sightlines are excellent and I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a bad seat in the house. I was in D7, and was extremely pleased -- and, for £20, you really can't snip at the value for money! It's an intimate venue to say the least -- where I was felt very much "in the action". I probably wouldn't have wanted to be much further forward though... row A and B were *extremely* close to the front of the stage and I think might be slight candidates for neckache, but also extremely atmospheric.

Speakers hang in front of B4 and B22 on the stage wall / extended proscenium arch (for this event only, notes the monkey). If you're in these seats for a gig and have sensitive hearing, you might want to think carefully about your choice. The sound was "comfortably intense" in D7, but I wouldn't have wanted to be much nearer the speakers to be honest! Even though it wasn't the warmest or the coolest of nights last night though, the air-conditioning was rather breezy at times in a mostly-full house."

"D16 and D17: (James – regular reader). Good place to see a show from."

“H17 and 18: (Anne Gross). The Theatre is cosy and comfortable, plenty of leg room and a good view from our seats.”

 

"The Lounge" Auditorium

Layout:
Once forgotten storage space, now a small room any performer with common sense will be fighting to work in.

From one-person stand-up comedy and plays to solo song-fests, presentations and press launches, the monkey knows it can be hard to get a booking for "The Lounge," for either producers or audiences as it is a wonderful space with a great programme of work.

Legroom:
U
nlimited everywhere as these are normal, movable chairs.

Choosing Seats in General:
All seats can be moved about and pulled in close to create an intimate atmosphere. All are un-numbered and seating is first-come, first served each evening.

Right in front of the stage are two rows of chairs, sometimes gathered around tables at the sides and centre to create that cabaret feel.

Behind these, in the centre of the room, are two pillars. Between the pillars, a backless padded bench may be placed - this has space for five people (or about two potential gastric-band candidates). The monkey felt the chairs looked more comfortable, and the bench is also a bit lower compared to them... somebody large on a chair in front might crowd out the view a bit. Outside the pillars are a few more chairs.

Beyond this row, two more rows of individual chairs are arranged either side and between the pillars to provide a decent view of the stage. The back row is against the wall of the venue. Likely to be popular are two seats on the right (looking from the stage) of it. These are closest to the bar - which itself helps create a warm 'club' atmosphere.

Every chair has a clear view of the performer, and the performer has a clear view of every seat.

General Hazard Notes:
In the far corner of the auditorium is a stool and niche for sound equipment. These won't bother anybody.

Changes for the current production:
None.

Reader Comments:
None.

 

 

Notes
400 Seats in the main auditorium.
65 seats, plus standing space, in "The Lounge"

Air Conditioned. One reader describes it at "rather breezy at times" in the main house.

No disabled access, though staff are working on this and other facilities as quickly as they can. A "venue access guide" from the team who created book "Theatremonkey: A Guide to London's West End," is available to download in PDF format by clicking here.

No food except bar snacks and Ice Cream. 

2 Bars in main auditorium, 1 bar in "The Lounge" auditorium.

2 Toilets; 1 gents 2 cubicles, 1 ladies 7 cubicles.

The monkey gratefully thanks the new owners for their help in compiling this information.

 
Top Performance Times Ticket Prices Where to Buy Tickets  Seating Plan Seat Opinions Getting Here

Getting to this Theatre
Find this theatre on a Street Map The theatre entrance is slightly above the red arrow.
Nearest Underground Station Buses Car Park
Nearest Underground Station:
Leicester Square - Northern (black) and Piccadilly (dark blue) lines.

The escalator from the platforms deposits passengers into a circular space with a number of staircases leading to the surface. Find the one marked "Charing Cross Road West" exit number 2, it is to the right of the tube exit gates. Go up the staircase. 

At the top, in front of you will be Charing Cross Road. Next to you, notice the Hippodrome Nightclub and a wide pedestrianised street. Turn to your right, pass the Hippodrome, and turn right into Cranbourn Street (a pedestrianised zone). 

Walk along the street, passing the Warner Cinema. Enter Leicester Square. Look to your right. There is a wide pedestrian street marked "Leicester Place". Turn into it. Walk towards the easily visible lit canopy entrance, just before the cinema.

 

Buses:
24, 29, 176 to Charing Cross Road.

Look for the Hippodrome Nightclub. Next to it is  Cranbourn Street (a pedestrianised zone). 

Walk along the street, passing the Warner Cinema. Enter Leicester Square. Look to your right. There is a wide pedestrian street marked "Leicester Place". Turn into it. Walk towards the easily visible lit canopy entrance, just before the cinema.

 

Taxi:
A rank for Black taxis is at Charing Cross Station - a fair distance from the theatre. Best chance of hailing one in the street is to walk down Leicester Place and along Cranbourn Street to Charing Cross Road.

 

Car Park:
Whitcomb Street.

Leave the car park and turn left. Cross the road and walk uphill.

At the end of the Street is a huge McDonalds. Stop and have a burger. Or not. As you like.

Turn right into Coventry Street and walk past McDonalds and into Leicester Square. Walk over to the same side as the Empire Cinema and Equinox nightclub. Walk straight on past them.

Just beyond the block where these places stand, there is a wide pedestrian street marked "Leicester Place". Turn  left into it. Walk towards the easily visible lit canopy entrance, just before the cinema.

This venue does not participate in any discount parking scheme.
 

Top Performance Times Ticket Prices Where to Buy Tickets  Seating Plan Seat Opinions Getting Here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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