The building that became the Leicester Square Theatre originally opened as a French cultural centre called the Notre Dame Hall in 1953. In the 1960’s it became a music venue called the Cavern in the Town before returning to its original name in the 1970’s. It presented an exciting line up of punk music including The Sex Pistols and The Clash, who previewed material from London Calling in the space in 1979.
It continued to host music until 2001, when it was converted into a theatre and renamed The Venue. Notable productions during this period were Taboo, Round the Horne, and The Vegemite Tales.
The theatre was renamed the Leicester Square Theatre and opened in August 2008 with a 12 week run of Joan Rivers’ one woman show. Since then, it has become one of London’s most prestigious venues for comedy, cabaret, and music. Comedians to grace the theatre include Bill Bailey, Richard Herring (who regularly records a podcast in the venue), Russell Howard, Julian Clary, and US comics Sandra Bernard, Roseanne Barr, Chris Hardwick, and Doug Stanhope.
The theatre also runs the New Comedian of the Year competition. The theatre’s main house seats 420, while the accompanying basement space (suitable for smaller acts) seats 60.
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Leicester Square Theatre News:
- Sh!t-Faced Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing comes to Leicester Square Theatre
- REVIEW: Musik, Leicester Square Theatre, London ✭✭✭✭✭
- Musik starring Frances Barber returns to Leicester Square Theatre in February
- REVIEW: Musik, Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh Fringe ✭✭✭✭
- London transfer announced for Jonathan Harvey and Pet Shop Boys Musik
- To drink, or not to drink? Hamlet gets Sh*t Faced!
- Thirteen Days returns to London stage for concert performance
- REVIEW: Ramin Karimloo and Seth Rudetsky, Leicester Square Theatre ✭✭✭✭
- REVIEW: Sh*t Faced Showtime, Leicester Square Theatre ✭✭✭✭
- Shit-faced Showtime presents Oliver With A Twist!
