Britain has one of the richest theatrical traditions in the world. From Shakespeare’s Globe in London to the great regional repertory houses, the UK offers an extraordinary variety of venues! Historic playhouses, writing hubs, and spectacular spaces for musicals, opera, and dance, there’s a wide selection for everyone to enjoy.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to some of the most fantastic theatres in the UK, beginning with the London West End and moving outward.
🗺️ You can also view the full map here.
London & Greater London
- Adelphi Theatre, The Strand: For the most incredible West End musicals & comedies.
- Savoy Theatre, The Strand: The historic home of Gilbert & Sullivan and major musicals.
- Lyceum Theatre, The Strand: So very famous for Disney’s The Lion King!
- Prince Edward Theatre, Old Compton Street: A beautifully restored West End venue for major musicals.
- Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Covent Garden: The oldest theatre site in continuous use in London, recently restored.
- Donmar Warehouse, Covent Garden: An intimate 250-seat producing theatre with stellar casts.
- Royal Opera House, Covent Garden: The world-class home of opera and ballet.
- Gillian Lynne Theatre, Drury Lane: A modern West End house (formerly the New London Theatre), known for Cats and School of Rock.
- Dominion Theatre, Tottenham Court Road: A huge venue for blockbuster musicals such as Grease, We Will Rock You, and Elf.
- National Theatre, South Bank: Britain’s publicly funded powerhouse with three stages (Olivier, Lyttelton, Dorfman).
- Shakespeare’s Globe, Bankside: A faithful Elizabethan-style open-air stage.
- The Old Vic, Waterloo: An iconic, refurbished and star-led theatre.
- The Young Vic, The Cut: Playing experimental classics, rising talent.
- Bridge Theatre, London Bridge: A 900-seat theatre founded by Nicholas Hytner, staging new plays and reimagined classics.
- King’s Head Theatre, Islington: Britain’s first pub theatre since the 17th century.
- Almeida Theatre, Islington: An innovative producing house known for fresh takes on classics and new work.
- Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Islington: The UK’s premier venue for dance.
- His Majesty’s Theatre, Haymarket: The long-running home of The Phantom of the Opera.
- Apollo Victoria Theatre, Victoria: A massive Art Deco theatre, long-running home of Wicked, in the heart of Central London, minutes from the Evan Evans Tours office!
- Barbican Centre Theatre, City of London: Home to the Royal Shakespeare Company’s London seasons and major international productions.
- Bush Theatre, Shepherd’s Bush: A leading new-writing theatre in West London.
- Kiln Theatre, Kilburn: Playing international and community productions.
- Hackney Empire, Hackney: A restored Edwardian music hall featuring drama, comedy, and pantomime.
- Alexandra Palace Theatre, Muswell Hill: From theatre, opera, and dance to comedy, concerts, and cinema, this North London Victorian theatre is renowned for its eclectic programme and scenic views of London.
- Rose Theatre Kingston, Kingston upon Thames: A modern riverside theatre inspired by the Elizabethan Rose.
- Richmond Theatre, Richmond: An elegant Victorian theatre on the edge of London with major touring shows.
- Watford Palace Theatre, Watford: An Edwardian venue producing new plays and family shows, perfect before or after your visit to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter!
South East
- Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury: A large, modern space for West End tours, opera, and big musicals.
- Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester: A nationally renowned venue for summer festival seasons and new writing.
South West
- Bristol Old Vic, Bristol: Britain’s oldest continuously working theatre (1766), known for bold contemporary work.
- Theatre Royal Bath, Bath: An elegant Georgian playhouse staging drama, comedy and classics.
- Minack Theatre, Cornwall: A breathtaking open-air amphitheatre carved into the cliffs and overlooking the sea.
Midlands
- Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon: Flagship of the Royal Shakespeare Company, birthplace of Shakespeare.
- Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon: An intimate RSC venue for Shakespeare’s contemporaries.
- Birmingham Hippodrome, Birmingham: One of Britain’s busiest theatres, home of Birmingham Royal Ballet and major musicals.
- Curve Theatre, Leicester: A striking modern venue known for bold musicals and new work.
North of England
- Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester: A unique in-the-round space inside a Victorian cotton exchange.
- Liverpool Playhouse & Everyman, Liverpool: Sister theatres known for new writing and big stars.
- Theatre Royal, Newcastle: A major touring house for drama, musicals and opera.
- Leeds Playhouse, Leeds: Recently redeveloped, one of the UK’s leading producing theatres in Yorkshire.
- The Lowry, Salford: A large arts centre with three performance spaces, including big musicals and ballet.
Scotland
- Festival Theatre, Edinburgh: The largest stage in Scotland, home to opera, ballet and musicals.
- King’s Theatre, Edinburgh: An Edwardian gem known for drama and pantomime.
- Theatre Royal, Glasgow: Scotland’s oldest theatre, home of Scottish Opera and ballet.
- Citizens Theatre, Glasgow: A bold playhouse showcasing accessible productions and new work.
Wales
- Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff: An iconic bay-front building housing major musicals, opera and dance.
- Sherman Theatre, Cardiff: A venue focused on new writing and community productions.
- Theatr Clwyd, Mold: A nationally acclaimed theatre for new plays and creative programming.
Northern Ireland
- Lyric Theatre, Belfast: Northern Ireland’s premier producing theatre, nurturing new writing.
- Grand Opera House, Belfast: A beautiful Victorian theatre hosting big musicals, opera and comedy.
If you’re interested in theatre tickets for London’s biggest attractions, they’re available from Evan Evans on our theatre tickets page. Enjoy the show!
