British Theatre

Venue

166 Drury Lane, Camden WC2B 5PW

Gillian Lynne Theatre

4.7 · 7.2k Google reviews Box office closed · opens 12pm

The Gillian Lynne Theatre (formerly the New London Theatre) is a West End theatre located on the corner of Drury Lane and Parker Street in Covent Garden in the London Borough of Camden. The Winter Garden Theatre occupied the site until 1965.

Photos via Google. Attributions: Gillian Lynne Theatre, Raza Khan, Fabrizio Sala

Current attached shows

1

Google rating

4.7 ★ (7.2k)

Venue info

Het Gillian Lynne Theatre is een bekende Londense locatie die regelmatig te vinden is op British Theatre. Ontdek de nieuwste voorstellingen, praktische informatie over het theater en handige tips voor het boeken van tickets voor uw volgende bezoek. Op de plek van het moderne New London Theatre stonden sinds de Elizabethaanse tijd al herbergen en variététheaters. Destijds was het een taveerne genaamd The Great Mogul, die in nauw verband stond met Nell Gwynne. In de 19e eeuw herbergde de locatie The Mogul Saloon (gebouwd in 1847), die in 1851 de Middlesex Music Hall werd en in 1911 werd herbouwd als het New Middlesex Theatre of Varieties. In 1919 werd het theater verkocht, gerenoveerd en heropend als het Winter Garden Theatre. Hier was een reeks beroemde producties te zien, waaronder Kissing Time, A Night Out, Sally, Primrose, Funny Face (met Fred Astaire), On The Rocks, Hotel Paradiso en The Iceman Cometh, voordat het in 1959 definitief de deuren sloot. Het New London Theatre opende op 2 januari 1973 met Unknown Soldier and His Wife, gevolgd door Grease (met Richard Gere als Danny). Vanaf 1997 werd het theater enkele jaren als televisiestudio gebruikt voordat het weer een theaterfunctie kreeg. Het grootste succes van het theater was de musical Cats, die van 1981 tot 2002 maar liefst 8.949 voorstellingen speelde. Tot 2006 hield de show het record voor de langstlopende West End-musical, totdat Les Misérables dit verbrak. In 2018 kondigde Andrew Lloyd Webber — wiens Really Useful Group het gebouw sinds 1991 in bezit heeft — aan dat het theater zou worden omgedoopt tot het Gillian Lynne Theatre. Het is daarmee het eerste theater in Londen dat naar een vrouw is vernoemd. Dame Gillian Lynne begon haar carrière als ballerina bij het Sadler’s Wells Ballet tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog. Op haar twintigste verjaardag danste zij haar eerste grote solo tijdens de heropening van het London’s Royal Opera House. Ze maakte de overstap naar het Royal Ballet en werd een gevierd danseres in West End, waar ze schitterde in het London Palladium en in grote producties zoals Can Can in het London Coliseum. Lynne verwierf al snel faam als choreografe en regisseur. Ze werkte aan producties voor de English National Opera en de Royal Shakespeare Company, evenals aan talloze shows op West End en Broadway. Ze is wellicht het meest bekend door haar samenwerkingen met Andrew Lloyd Webber: ze verzorgde de choreografie voor Cats (dat in 1981 opende in het New London Theatre), The Phantom of the Opera (de op één na langstlopende West End-musical) en Aspects of Love. Lynne ontving in 2013 een Special Award tijdens de Olivier Awards voor haar tomeloze inzet voor de theaterwereld. In 2014 werd ze benoemd tot Dame in de Queen’s New Year’s Honours list. Momenteel is het theater de thuisbasis van de veelgeprezen productie van Andrew Lloyd Webbers School Of Rock. Show Boat (april 2016 -War Horse (28 maart 2009 - maart 2016)Imagine This – Een Nieuwe Musical (19 november 2008 – 14 juni 2008)Gone With The Wind – Een Nieuwe Musical (22 april 2008 – 14 juni 2008)The Seagull (21 november 2007 – 12 januari 2008)King Lear (14 november 2007 – 12 januari 2008)Blue Man Group (10 november 2005 – 24 juni 2007)Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2 maart 2003 – 3 september 2005)Umoja (6 september 2002 – 8 februari 2003)CATS (11 mei 1981 – 11 mei 2002) 1, 8, 19, 25, 38, 55, 59, 68, 91, 98, 168, 171, 188, 242, 243, 521 Rolstoellift, speciale plaatsen en transferstoelen zijn aanwezig GEASSISTEERDE VOORSTELLINGEN:Zijn er voorzieningen voor slechthorenden? Er is een infraroodsysteem aanwezig in de gehele zaal (6 headsets beschikbaar) Zijn blindengeleidehonden en/of hulphonden toegestaan? Hulphonden zijn welkom in de zaal. Het personeel kan tijdens de voorstelling op uw hond passen indien gewenst. Neem rechtstreeks contact op met het theater voor meer informatie. De adembenemende toneelbewerking van Studio Ghibli’s geliefde animatiefilm door de Royal Shakespeare Company is nu te zien in het Gillian Lynne Theatre. Deze winnaar van zes Olivier Awards is volgens Elle een 'diepgaande magische ervaring' die het betoverende verhaal van Hayao Miyazaki tot leven wekt met spectaculair poppenspel, waaronder de onvergetelijke Totoro en de legendarische Catbus. Een hartverwarmend coming-of-age verhaal waarin de kracht van de kinderlijke fantasie centraal staat. Wees er als eerste bij voor de beste tickets, exclusieve aanbiedingen en het laatste nieuws uit West End. U kunt zich op elk gewenst moment afmelden. Privacybeleid

History

The site of the modern New London Theatre previously held taverns and music hall theatres since Elizabethan times. In those times, it was tavern called The Great Mogul and it was associated with Nell Gwynne. In the 19th Century, the site held The Mogul Saloon (built in 1847), which became the Middlesex Music Hall in 1851, and in turn was rebuilt as the New Middlesex Theatre of Varieties in 1911. In 1919 the theatre was sold, refurbished, and reopened as the Winter Garden Theatre, where it produced productions such as Kissing Time, A Night Out, Sally, Primrose, Funny Face (starring Fred Astaire), On The Rocks, Hotel Paradiso, and The Iceman Cometh before it was permanently closed in 1959. The New London Theatre opened on 2 January 1973 with a production of the Unknown Soldier and His Wife, followed by Grease (starring Richard Gere as Danny). In 1997, the theatre began being used as a television studio for several years before return to theatrical productions. The theatre’s biggest hit was the musical Cats, which ran from 1981 to 2002 for a total of 8,949 performances. It held the record for longest running West End musical until 2006 when Les Miserables surpassed it. In 2018, Andrew Lloyd Webber, whose Really Useful Group have owned the building since 1991, announced the theatre would be renamed the Gillian Lynne Theatre, the first London theatre to be named after a woman. Dame Gillian Lynne started her dancing career as a ballerina, joining the Sadler’s Wells Ballet during the Second World War, and performing her first major solo at the opening of London’s Royal Opera House on her 20th birthday. She went on to join the Royal Ballet, and became a dancer in the West End, appearing as a star dancer at the London Palladium, and major productions such as Can Can at the London Coliseum. Lynne quickly became renowned as a choreographer and director, working on productions with the English National Opera, Royal Shakespeare Company and many West End and Broadway shows. She may be best-known for her collaborations with Andrew Lloyd Webber: she choreographed the musicals Cats (which opened at the New London Theatre in 1981), The Phantom of the Opera (the second-longest running West End musical) and Aspects of Love (which ran in the West End and Broadway). Lynne received a Special Award at the 2013 Olivier Awards for her continued services to theatre, and in 2014, she was made a Dame in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list. The theatre is currently host to the critically acclaimed production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's School Of Rock

Past performances

Show Boat (April 2016 -War Horse (28 March 2009 - March 2016)
Imagine This – A New Musical (19 November 2008 – 14 June 2008)
Gone With The Wind – A New Musical (22 April 2008 – 14 June 2008)
The Seagull (21 November 2007 – 12 January 2008)
King Lear (14 November 2007 – 12 January 2008)
Blue Man Group (10 November 2005 – 24 June 2007)
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2 March 2003 – 3 September 2005)
Umoja (6 September 2002 – 8 February 2003)
CATS (11 Mat 1981 – 11 May 2002)


Box office hours

Box office closed · opens 12pm

  • Monday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
  • Tuesday: 12:00 – 7:45 PM
  • Wednesday: 12:00 – 7:45 PM
  • Thursday: 12:00 – 7:45 PM
  • Friday: 12:00 – 7:45 PM
  • Saturday: 12:00 – 7:45 PM
  • Sunday: 12:00 – 5:45 PM

These are the box office (ticket desk) hours supplied by Google. The theatre itself opens around 45 minutes before curtain-up — always check your ticket for the performance start time. You can book online any time through British Theatre.

Transport

Tube

Covent Garden, Holborn

Train

Charing Cross

Bus

1, 8, 19, 25, 38, 55, 59, 68, 91, 98, 168, 171, 188, 242, 243, 521

Parking

NCP Parker Mews. Chinatown (Q Park scheme)

Seating plan

Gillian Lynne Theatre seating plan

Accessibility

Wheelchair Access

Wheelchair escalator, spaces and transfer seats available

Are there adapted toilets?

An adapted toilet is available

Assisted Performances

Are there facilities for the hard-of-hearing?

There is an infrared system working throughout the auditorium (6 headsets)

Are guide dogs and/or hearing dogs permitted?

Access dogs are allowed inside the auditorium. Staff dog-sitting available.

Please contact the theatre directly for further information.

Shows currently at this venue

Previous productions

What visitors say

5.0 · a month ago
We went to see My Neighbour Totoro and absolutely loved it! The large scale puppetry was amazing and really brought the story to life. Our seats were very comfortable, and the theatre amenities were great, with a few bars and well-managed queues that weren’t too bad. A fantastic overall experience. Also, Caravan Covent Garden opposite is a great place to stop for a bite before the show, which made the whole experience even better. Highly recommend!
— Paula Santkiewicz
5.0 · a month ago
I enjoyed my time at the Gillian Lynne Theatre to see one of the sought-after events of Gabrielle Bernstein's live event last in July 2025. The venue was easy to get to as it was walking distance from Holborn and Coven Garden stations. I arrived early and saw Gabby come out of a car, greeting us and amazed at all the people waiting in the queue. We were able to see her go into the theatre in preparation of the show. They also sold Gabby's new books. The seats were good. I enjoyed every moment of her live show. Such a memory.
— Hamida Khanom
5.0 · 2 months ago
My Neighbour Totoro was absolutely wonderful. The staging and puppetry were incredibly imaginative and a joy to watch. Because of a Tube delay, we arrived a few minutes late and had to watch the first 10–15 minutes on a screen, but the staff were incredibly helpful and escorted us to our seats as soon as we were allowed in. We didn’t feel like we’d missed much at all. We were seated in the very front row on the side, which gave us an amazing up-close view of the stage design and puppetry—seeing it so closely really enhanced the experience. I highly recommend this show.
— Chiho Sharp
5.0 · 4 months ago
Saw My Neighbor Totoro and honestly loved it. The seats in the upper circle were really good – comfy and I could see everything perfectly. I was honestly shocked at how good Totoro looked on stage, it was amazing! The acting was really strong, and everyone did such a great job bringing the characters to life. The singer and the musicians were incredible too – they added so much energy and really made the show feel magical. Definitely a brilliant night out and would totally recommend it!
— Ashley Thompson

Reviews sourced from Google Maps.

Live venue listings

REVIEW: Standing At The Sky's Edge, Gillian Lynne Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

4 March 2024

View listing

REVIEW: Crazy For You, Gillian Lynne Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

7 July 2023

View listing

Nearby venues

Frequently asked questions

What's on at Gillian Lynne Theatre?

The current production at Gillian Lynne Theatre is My Neighbour Totoro. Browse and book tickets directly through British Theatre.

What's the nearest tube station to Gillian Lynne Theatre?

The nearest tube station is Covent Garden, Holborn.

Where is Gillian Lynne Theatre?

Gillian Lynne Theatre is located at 166 Drury Lane, Camden WC2B 5PW.

How can I contact Gillian Lynne Theatre?

You can call Gillian Lynne Theatre on 020 3925 2998. For tickets and bookings, please use British Theatre to secure the best seats.

What are the box office hours at Gillian Lynne Theatre?

The Gillian Lynne Theatre box office (ticket desk) operates: Monday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM; Tuesday: 12:00 – 7:45 PM; Wednesday: 12:00 – 7:45 PM; Thursday: 12:00 – 7:45 PM; Friday: 12:00 – 7:45 PM; Saturday: 12:00 – 7:45 PM; Sunday: 12:00 – 5:45 PM. Right now the box office is closed · opens 12pm. The theatre itself opens around 45 minutes before curtain-up — and you can book online any time through British Theatre.

Is Gillian Lynne Theatre accessible?

Gillian Lynne Theatre offers wheelchair-accessible entrance, wheelchair-accessible seating, wheelchair-accessible toilets, wheelchair-accessible parking. Please contact the venue directly if you have specific access requirements.

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