Sondheim Theatre, London
The Sondheim Theatre is where Wardour Street meets Shaftesbury Avenue, a few minutes' walk from Piccadilly Circus, and Les Misérables has played here since 2004. The theatre was called the Queen's until 2019. It has 1,109 seats on three levels, and this guide takes you through each of them, then how to get here and where to eat nearby.
Still choosing seats? For the best view, sit in the central Stalls or at the front of the Dress Circle. For the best value, go for the front of the Grand Circle or the end of a row on the lower levels. The slip seats and loges along the sides of the Dress Circle, the benches in the front corners of the Grand Circle and the two Boxes are the ones to think twice about.
Already booked? Arrive 15 to 20 minutes before the start, no later, because bags are checked on the way in. The theatre is cashless, so bring a card.
Below: the seating plan and a page for each level, the Stalls, Dress Circle and Grand Circle, what the Boxes and loges are really like, how to get here, access and facilities, restaurants, bars and hotels nearby, and more about the building.
Quick facts
- Address: 51 Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 6BA, on the corner of Wardour Street
- Nearest tube: Piccadilly Circus, 3 to 5 minutes
- Capacity: 1,109 seats
- Levels: Stalls, Dress Circle and Grand Circle, plus two loges and two Boxes
- Lift: none. Stalls 21 steps down, Dress Circle 18 up, Grand Circle 39 up
- Doors: about 45 minutes before. Arrive 15 to 20 minutes before, no later
- Owner: Delfont Mackintosh Theatres
What's On at the Sondheim Theatre
Les Misérables moved here from the Palace Theatre in 2004. The stage here is a bit smaller, so parts of the show were reworked when it came. It's still one of the great original shows, and it has now been running in London for more than forty years. Booking currently runs to 2 October 2027, which is a booking-until date rather than a closing date.
Weekday seats run from around £25 up to around £135 for the best seats, with premium seats from around £160 up to around £215. Weekends cost a little more across the board. All-in pricing, the price you see is what you pay. For the reviews, see what the critics say.
Call us on 020 7193 9050 for seat advice on any date.
Book Sondheim Theatre tickets
All-in pricing, the price you see is what you pay.
Sondheim Theatre FAQs
How many seats does the Sondheim Theatre have?
1,109, plus 16 standing places, so 1,125 people in total. That's 472 in the Stalls, 300 in the Dress Circle and 318 in the Grand Circle, with the other 19 in the two loges and two Boxes.
What is the old name for the Sondheim Theatre?
The Queen's Theatre. It carried that name from 1907 until 2019, when it was renamed in honour of Stephen Sondheim. If your ticket or an old programme says the Queen's Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, you're in the right place. The Queen's Theatres in Hornchurch and Barnstaple are different theatres, and the Stephen Sondheim Theatre on Broadway is in New York.
Why is it called the Sondheim Theatre?
The renaming marked Stephen Sondheim's 90th birthday and the reopening of the theatre after its refurbishment. The theatre staged Sondheim's own musical Passion in 1996, twenty-three years before it took his name.
Has Les Misérables always been at the Sondheim Theatre?
No. It played the Palace Theatre for years before moving here in 2004, and it opened at the Barbican in 1985. The production was reworked for this stage, which is smaller than the Palace's.
Is there a dress code at the Sondheim Theatre?
No. Wear whatever you're comfortable in: jeans and trainers are completely fine. People do dress up for a night out and nobody minds either way.
Can I take a bag in?
Yes, one small bag that fits under your seat. Bags are checked on the way in. There's a cloakroom for coats and small bags, at a small charge, but nowhere to leave large bags or suitcases, so leave those at your hotel.
Can I take food and drink in?
No. Food and drink bought elsewhere isn't allowed, and that covers drinks as well as food. In practice a sealed bottle of water is rarely an issue. The bars sell drinks and snacks, but no hot food. If you have a dietary or medical need, speak to the theatre's management when you arrive.
Can I pay with cash?
No, the theatre is cashless, so bring a contactless card or your phone for the bars, programmes and merchandise.
Can I bring children?
Yes, from age three, and Les Misérables recommends 7 and over. Everyone needs their own ticket, whatever their age, and anyone under 16 has to sit next to someone aged 18 or over. The show uses gunfire, smoke and flashing lights, and the show's own page has more.
Is the Sondheim Theatre air conditioned?
The theatre's ventilation system brings in 100% fresh air.
What time does the Box Office open?
From midday, Monday to Saturday. On a show day it stays open until 15 minutes after the performance starts, and between the two shows on a matinee day. You don't need to go there to buy: book with us online or on 020 7193 9050.
Can I book by phone?
Yes. Call us on 020 7193 9050 and we'll find you the right seat for your date and budget. The price we tell you on the phone is the price you pay.