Ambassadors Theatre

Venue info

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History

The Ambassador’s Theatre was a companion to the adjacent St Martin’s and opened in 1913. The opening production (Panthea by Monckton Hoffe) ran for just 15 nights. Odds and Ends, an ‘intimate’ review production starting Alice Delysia, was more successful, and ran for over 400 performances. The stage saw some incredible debuts in the early 20th Century with Ivor Novello appearing in 1921’s Deburau, and Vivian Leigh in 1935’s The Mask of Virtue, where Laurence Olivier first saw his future wife perform. 1952 saw the opening of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, which ran at the theatre for over 20 years before its move to the St Martin’s, where it is now the longest-running production in history. After a string of various productions (including Christopher Hampton’s adaptation/translation of Les Liasons Dangereuses), the theatre was bought by the Ambassador Theatre Group, who split the theatre into two small spaces. The Royal Court Upstairs was resident in this space until 1999, when the theatre was converted into its original layout and renamed the New Ambassadors. The early 21st century saw intimate theatrical productions begin staged, such as Krapp’s Last Tape, Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me, and The Vagina Monologues, before moving into the larger scale with shows such as Sweeney Todd and Little Shop of Horrors. In April 2007, ATG sold the venue to Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen, who refurbished the venue and changed the name back to the Ambassadors. In October of that same year, Stomp transferred into the venue from the Vaudeville theatre. In January 2020, the Ambassadors Theatre is now back in the hands of Ambassador Theatre Group. The Ambassadors Theatre now plays host a number of short-run plays, musicals and events.

Past performances

Stomp (4 October 2007 -)
Little Shop of Horrors (29 June 2007 – 8 September 2007)
Whipping it Up (22 February 2007 – 16 June 2007)
Love Song (24 November 2006 - 24 February 2007)
Waiting for Godot (September 2006 - November 2006)
On the Third Day (22 June 2006 - 29 July 2006)
Hamlet (20 February 2006 - 22 April 2006)
Journey's End (22 September 2005 - 28 January 2006)
Telstar (24 June 2005 - 10 September 2005)
Someone Who'll Watch Over Me (19 April 2005 - 18 June 2005)
Ying Tong: A Walk with The Goons (14 February 2005 - 19 March 2005)
Sweeney Todd (13 October 2004 - 5 February 2005)
Guantanamo: Honour Bound to Defend Freedom (23 June 2004 - 4 September 2004)
The Shape of Things (17 May 2004 - 12 June 2005)
Stones in his Pockets (21 July 2003 - 1 May 2004)

Transport

Tube

Leicester Square

Train

Charing Cross

Bus

14, 19, 22, 24, 29, 38, 40

Parking

Newport Place, Soho, Chinatown (Q Park Scheme)

Seating plan

Accessibility

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS:

Due to spatial restrictions, the theatre is only able to accommodate wheelchair transfers. Patrons need to be able to transfer to one of our seats which have armrests. The theatre staff will be available to provide assistance and will store the wheelchair in the foyer during the performance.

Are there adapted toilets?

There is no adapted toilet

ASSISTED PERFORMANCES:Are there facilities for the hard-of-hearing?

There is an infrared system working throughout the auditorium with both loop and conventional headsets. Headsets must be booked in advance and a deposit is required. Upon arrival, please speak to a member of staff to receive your headset.

Are guide dogs and/or hearing dogs permitted?

Guide dogs and hearing dogs are permitted in the auditorium and staff can dog sit by prior arrangement. Dogs will be looked after in the manager’s office.

Please contact the theatre directly for further information.