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West End theatre

West End theatre is mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres in and near the West End of London.[1] Along with New York City's Broadway theatre, West End theatre represents the highest level of commercial theatre in the English-speaking world. Seeing a West End show is a common tourist activity in London.[1] Famous screen actors, British and international alike, frequently appear on the London stage.[2][3]

There are a total of 39 theatres in the West End, with the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, opened in May 1663, the oldest theatre in London.[4] The Savoy Theatre—built as a showcase for the popular series of comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan—was entirely lit by electricity in 1881.[5]


The Society of London Theatre (SOLT) announced that 2018 was a record year for the capital's theatre industry with attendances topping 15.5 million for the first time since the organisation began collecting audience data in 1986. Box office revenues exceeded £765 million.[6] While attendance in 2019 was down 1.4% compared to the previous year, box office revenues reached a record £799 million.[7]


The majority of West End theatres are owned by the Ambassador Theatre Group, Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, Nimax Theatres, LW Theatres, and the Nederlander Organization.

An * after the opening date indicates that the listed production has yet to open and is scheduled for the given date at that theatre.

An * after the closing date indicates that there is another show scheduled for that theatre.

If the next show planned is not announced, the applicable columns are left blank.

Laurence Olivier Awards

Evening Standard Theatre Awards

WhatsOnStage Awards

Critics' Circle Theatre Awards

National Dance Awards

West End Cares Awards

West End Frame Awards

There are a number of annual awards for outstanding achievements in London theatre:

Culture of London

Great West End Theatres

List of former theatres in London

List of London venues

Archived 23 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine – trade body for the London theatre industry

Society of London Theatre

Information and archive material on London's historic West End Theatres.

London's West End Theatres