PICCADILLY THEATRE
16 Denman Street,
London, W1D 7DY
The Piccadilly Theatre is on Denman Street in London, behind Piccadilly Circus. It opened in April 1928. It was built for the Piccadilly Theatre Company and it has an auditorium on three levels: Stalls, Dress, and Upper Circles, now called Stalls, Royal, and Grand Circles. Its plain simple facade conceals a very fancy Art Deco interior with an auditorium decorated in shades of pink. Gold and green are the dominant colours in the bars and foyer, which include the original light fittings. It had a capacity of 1,395 when it first opened, although with various changes and refurbishments it now seats 1,232.
Warner took over the Piccadilly Theatre and began using it as a cinema to show the new “talking pictures”. It was at the Piccadilly that the very first Talkie was shown in Britain: “The Singing Fool” which starred Al Jolson.
The theatre reopened in April 1936 as a cabaret restaurant and was renamed the London Casino, which was famous for its lavish stage shows. The building sustained considerable damage when it was hit by a German bomb during World War II, and following renovations in the early 1950s, it returned to its original name and became a venue for plays, revues, and musicals.
In 1986 it was the setting for ITV's Sunday evening variety show “Live From the Piccadilly” which was hosted by Jimmy Tarbuck.
In the 90s the Piccadilly presented ballet and dance, with the most successful commercial ballet season ever to play in the West End with Matthew Bourne's production of Swan Lake.
The Piccadilly Theatre is run by the Ambassador Theatre Group and in 2005 was home to a revival of the hit musical “Guys and Dolls” which ran for two years until the current production “Grease” opened in 2007.
WHAT'S ON AT THE PICCADILLY THEATRE
The new musical Ghost opened in the West End on 19th July 2011.
It has the very moving and intimate scene with Molly at her potter’s wheel with Sam appearing as a ghost and helping her throw a pot to the background music of The Righteous Brothers' Unchained Melody.
HOW TO GET TO PICCADILLY THEATRE
Click on map to enlarge image
 |
Tube : Piccadilly Circus Train: Charing cross |
 |
3, 6, 9, 12, 13 ,14, 15, 19, 22, 38, 53, 88, 94, 159 |
 |
MasterPark at Poland Street. NCP at Denman & Brewer Street, This theatre participates in the Theatreland Parking Scheme - find out more about the great discounts offered by clicking on the link. |
DISABLED ACCESS TO PICCADILLY THEATRE
 |
Loops in Box office. Infrared in auditorium |
 |
3 guide dogs are allowed at each performance but not permitted inside the auditorium. Staff can look after them. |
 |
Via side entrance in Sherwood Street into a box (entrance is 65cm wide) which has space for 2 wheelchair users and their companions. 2 more wheelchairs can be accommodated in row A of the Royal Circle |
 |
Available |
