About the Theatre Royal Haymarket

There has been a theatre on the Haymarket since 1720, which makes this one of the oldest still working in London. The current building opened in 1821 to a design by John Nash, whose columned portico still fronts the street, and it is Grade I listed. It's owned and run by Access Entertainment, and it has 860 seats over four levels. Whilst it does stage the occasional musical, it is best known for its high-end plays, which are usually star-led. The interior is one of the most beautiful in London, so arrive with a little time to look round before the show.

A short history

The first theatre here was built in 1720 by a carpenter, John Potter, a little north of today's building, and was known as the Little Theatre in the Hay. It became the Theatre Royal in 1766, when the actor Samuel Foote was given a patent to stage plays there in the summer. John Nash moved it a few yards south for his new building, which opened on 4 July 1821 with Sheridan's The Rivals.

Queen Victoria came often, and a Royal Box, with a receiving room behind it, was made for her. In 1879 Squire and Marie Bancroft took over, built the gold-framed proscenium arch and brought in matinees. Oscar Wilde premiered A Woman of No Importance and An Ideal Husband here, and during the Blitz John Gielgud lived in Dressing Room No.10 while he led a company in the theatre. It still has one of the few raked stages left in London, and two star dressing rooms, where most theatres have one. Ian McKellen, Judi Dench and Maggie Smith are among the stars who have played here.

Notable past productions

  • The Tiger Who Came to Tea (2026)
  • Trainspotting the musical (2026)
  • Grace Pervades (2026), David Hare's play, with Ralph Fiennes
  • The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (2026)
  • Othello (2025), with David Harewood and Toby Jones
  • The Deep Blue Sea (2025), with Tamsin Greig
  • The Score (2025), with Brian Cox
  • Till the Stars Come Down (2025)
  • Waiting for Godot (2024), with Lucian Msamati and Ben Whishaw
  • The Picture of Dorian Gray (2024), with Sarah Snook
  • A View from the Bridge (2024)
  • Noises Off (2023)
  • Only Fools and Horses the Musical (2019 to 2023)
  • One Man, Two Guvnors (2012 to 2014)
  • Waiting for Godot (2009), with Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart
  • An Ideal Husband (1895) and A Woman of No Importance (1893), Oscar Wilde's premieres

Other venues of similar size

About FAQs

When was the Theatre Royal Haymarket built?

In 1821: John Nash's building opened on 4 July that year. The first theatre on the street went up in 1720.

What shows have been on at the Theatre Royal Haymarket?

Recently, Othello with David Harewood and Toby Jones, The Deep Blue Sea, Waiting for Godot and Grace Pervades, and before them Only Fools and Horses the Musical and One Man, Two Guvnors. Now it's The Standard of Living.