PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE
Coventry Street
London, W1D 6AS

The Prince of Wales Theatre on the corner of Coventry Street and Oxendon Street in Leicester Square is the second theatre to be built on the site since the late 19th century. The first theatre was called the Prince's Theatre and opened in 1884 as part of a development which also included an hotel and restaurant. It was renamed the Prince of Wales Theatre in 1886 when another theatre with the same name in Tottenham Street had been tuned into a Salvation Army hostel.

January 1937 saw the last production at the original Prince of Wales Theatre when it closed its doors for the final time. It was quickly demolished so that a new theatre with the same name could be built on the site with its foundation stone being laid by Gracie Fields in June 1937.

It was designed by the well known theatre architect Robert Cromie who managed to fit a larger auditorium with seating for 1,139 in two tiers, and a larger stage into the same space occupied by the first theatre. The site was restricted because the rest of the block remained in place.

The new Prince of Wales Theatre opened in October 1937 and was taken over by Moss Empires in the 1940s who presented a number of successful plays and musicals

In 1963 the Prince of Wales Theatre was completely redecorated, followed by the remodelling of the Proscenium, stage, and orchestra pit. Some of the most famous productions which were staged at the theatre in the 60s included “Funny Girl”, starring Barbara Streisand, “Sweet Charity” and “Promises Promises”. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Aspects of Love” opened here in 1989 and broke all records running for 1,325 performances.

In 2003 the Prince of Wales closed and underwent major restoration by the Delfont Mackintosh Group who spent £7.5 million refurbishing it with an improved auditorium and better front of house facilities.

The Theatre was reopened by Prince Charles in June 2004 with a gala performance of “Mamma Mia!” in aid of the Prince's Trust. The Grade II Listed Prince of Wales Theatre now has a capacity of 1,133 and is owned and managed by Delfont Mackintosh Theatres Limited.