For a long time, the people of London have tasted the quality of life in their playwrights, poetry and books or through theatrical performances. Theatrical performances also showed their creativity and also represented their glorious culture and history. However, the theaters were not the product of the English. They have been around since the times of Ancient Egypt. In England, the concept of theater developed in the medieval period under the Romans. Since then, theaters in England have undergone great changes. Today the theater is mainly dominated by realism and classical English drama.
In London, you may have the opportunity to attend various theatrical performances based on political or spiritual philosophies. Most of London’s theaters are located in and around ‘theatre land’, ie Shaftesbury Avenue, the Strand and nearby West End streets. Most of these theaters are reception houses and show mainly dramatic works produced by the Royal National Theater and the Royal Shakespeare Company. They do not have their own theatrical production.
Some of the popular West End theaters include:
- The Adelphi Theater is located on the Strand in the City of Westminster. The 1,500-seat West End theater was created in 1806 by John Scott and his daughter Jane under the name “Sans Pareil”. In the year 1809, the theater was licensed for musical shows, pantomime and burletta. It has undergone many renovations under different managements and is today owned and operated by Adelphi Theater Company Ltd.
- New London Theater is a notable West End theater that is located in Covent Garden. Designed by Paul Tvrtkovic, the theater has a capacity for 960 people seated on 2 levels. Built on the site of the music hall taverns and theater, the theater officially opened on January 2, 1973. The theater has an underground parking lot, a cabaret, shops, a residential tower, and a basement nightclub.
- Novello Theater is a magnificent West End theater designed by WGR Sprague and meets its sister theater Aldwych Theatre. The theater opened on May 22, 1905 under the name of Waldorf Theater. It went through many renovations and today has a seating capacity of around 1,050 people. In the year 2005 Delfont Mackintosh Theaters renamed it the Novello Theater in memory of Ivor Novello.
- The Prince of Wales Theater is a West End theater located on Coventry Street near Leicester Square. It was built in 1884 as a three-tier theater that seats more than 1,000 people. The theater was again rebuilt in 1937 and renovated again in 2004 by Sir Cameron Mackintosh with increased seating capacity and all modern facilities.
- Royal Opera House is one of the performing arts venues, which is located in the Covent Garden district. It is a very large building and houses the Royal Opera, the Royal Ballet and the Orchestra. Although the Royal Opera House retains its 1858 façade, foyer and auditorium, extensive reconstructions in the 1990s have made it a majestic theatre. Today, the theater consists of four-tiered boxes, balconies, and the amphitheater gallery and has a seating capacity of about 2,268 people.
- Shaftesbury Theater is located on Shaftesbury Avenue in the London Borough of Camden. Opened on December 26, 1911, it was designed by Bertie Crewe and had a capacity of 2,392 people. Today, the theater is owned by the Theater of Comedy Company.
- Soho Theater is a West End theater in the City of Westminster district. Home to the Writers Center, the theater sponsors budding writers who want to work in theater, film, television and radio. The theater also entertains you with stand-up comedy, cabaret and other acting programs.
Aside from the traditional West End theatres, there are other cherished theaters to be found in other parts of London.
- Royal National Theater on the South Bank
- Globe Theater on the South Bank
- Sadlers Wells on Rosebery Avenue
- The Barbican Theater at the Barbican Arts Center
- Royal Court Theater in Chelsea
- Vic’s Young Theater in Lambeth
London theaters have entertained people with their entertaining plays, dramas and other cultural performances. The splendor it had in Elizabethan times is still maintained in London theatres.
