Harold Pinter Theatre

Harold Pinter Theatre is a London theatre venue featured on British Theatre. Explore upcoming shows

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The Harold Pinter Theatre opening on 15 October 1881

under its original name of The Royal Comedy Theatre. It’s early years were host to operatic productions Falka and Erminie

before presenting revue shows throughout World War 1. The formation of The new Watergate Club in 1956 allowed plays previously banned under the Theatres Act 1843 to be performed

which allowed the theatre to host the UK premieres of Tea and Symphony

A View From the Bridge

and Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. The censorship was loosened in the late 50’s and the law was finally revoked in 1968. This allowed the theatre to produce successful shows such as Savages in 1973 and the West End debut of The Rocky Horror Show in 1979. The theatre’s two biggest successes happened at the end of the 20th Century. A sell out eight-week run of Little Malcolm and his Struggle Against the Eunuchs broke box office records

and was quickly followed up in 2000 buy an extremely well received production of The Caretaker starring Michael Gambon. Recent years have seen productions as diverse as Donkey’s Years (2006)

Boeing-Boeing (2007-8

then transferred to Broadway for a Tony-award winning run)

and Sunset Boulevard (2008-9). On September 7 2011

it was announced that the theatre would be renamed the Harold Pinter Theatre

in tribute to the writer’s influential 50-year career. Pinter plays produced at the theatre have included The Homecoming

The Caretaker

The Collection and the Lover. Pinter himself directed a 2005 production of The Old Masters by Simon Gray. The new name came into effect on October 14.

The Importance Of Being Earnest (2014)
Mojo (26 October 2013 - 2014)
Chimerica (7 August 2013 - 19 October 2013)
Old Times (31 January 2013 - 6 April 2013)
A Chorus of Disapproval (27 September 2012 - 5 January 2013)
South Downs and The Browning Version (24 April - 21 July 2012)
Absent Friends (26 January - 14 April 2012)
Death and the Maiden (24 October 2011 - 21 January 2012)
Betrayal (27 May - 20 August 2011)
The Children's Hour (22 January - 30 April 2011)
Birdsong (28 September 2010 - 15 January 2011)
La Bête (8 July - 4 September 2010)
Prick Up Your Ears (30 September - 6 December 2009)
Too Close to the Sun (24 July - 8 August 2009)
Sunset Boulevard (4 December 2008 - 30 May 2009)
Dickens Unplugged (23 May 2008 - 29 June 2008)
The Lover/The Collection (12 January 2008 - 3 May 2008)
Boeing-Boeing (5 February 2007 - 5 January 2008)
The Rocky Horror Show (18 December 2006 - 29 January 2007)
Donkeys' Years (9 May 2006 - 15 December 2006)
Steptoe and Son in Murder at Oil Drum Lane (22 February 2006 - 15 April 2006)

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS:

Access entrance and wheelchair spaces available

Are there adapted toilets?

Royal Retiring Room toilet, located 6 steps down from foyer level for patrons who are able to manage some steps. Strada restaurant opposite the front of the theatre on Panton Street offers the use of their accessible toilet. A member of theatre staff would be available to accompany patrons to and from the restaurant.

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.

Are guide dogs and/or hearing dogs permitted?

Access dogs are allowed in all parts of the theatre.

Please contact the theatre directly for further information.