British Theatre

Venue

Haymarket, London SW1Y 4QL

His Majesty's Theatre (Formerly Her Majesty's Theatre)

His Majesty's Theatre (Formerly Her Majesty's Theatre) is a London theatre venue featured on British Theatre. Explore upcoming shows, practical venue guidance, and ticket-booking insights before your visit.

Current attached shows

3

Venue info

His Majesty's Theatre (Formerly Her Majesty's Theatre) is a London theatre venue featured on British Theatre. Explore upcoming shows

practical venue guidance

and ticket-booking insights before your visit.

History

The theatre was first established as the Queen’s theatre in 1705

in tribute to Queen Anne (the name changes with the gender of each monarch). Due to the prohibition of unaccompanied legitimate drama

the theatre became and opera house

performing more than 25 operas by Handel between 1711 and 1739 and premiering 3 operas by Bach in 1763. On 17 June 1789

the roof of the building was deliberately set ablaze

causing the building to burn down as rehearsing dancers fled the beans falling onto the stage. A new theatre was built on the site and opened in 1791

and continued to produce operas through the 18th and 19th Century. After management changes and extensive refurbishments

the theatre began performing dramatic role more extensively in 1897

including adaptations of Tolstoy and George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion (1914). The nature of theatre and its operatic background made it the perfect host for the emerging genre of musical theatre. Opening in 1916

Chu Chin Chow ran for 2

235 performances (this would remain a world record until 1955). Musicals continued their rise in popularity throughout the post-war years

and were regularly performed at the theatre. These shows included Broadway transfers of Follow the Girls (1945)

Brigadoon (1949)

Paint Your Wagon (1953)

West Side Story (1958) and the London premiere of Fiddler on the Roof (1967). In 1976

the theatre played hose to the first Secret Policeman’s Ball

a comedy benefit for Amnesty International. With the coronation of King Charles III

Her Majesty's Theatre became Hius Majesty's Theatre at 11am on 5th May 2023. The Phantom of the Opera

which opened in 1986

is the second longest running musical in West End history.

Past performances

The Phantom of the Opera (1986)
The Scarlet Pimpernel (1985)
Bugsy Malone (1983)
Amadeus (1981)
The Good Companions (1974)
Fiddler on the Roof (1967)
Lock Up Your Daughters (1962)
Bye Bye Birdie (1961)


Transport

Tube

Charing Cross, Leicester Square

Train

Charing Cross

Bus

3, 6, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 22, 22B, 38, 53, 88, 94, 159

Parking

MasterPark in Whitcomb Street, Trafalgar (Q Park Scheme) Meter on Charles II Street and St James’s Square, Single yellow lines in Haymarket

Seating plan

His Majesty's Theatre (Formerly Her Majesty's Theatre) seating plan

Accessibility

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS:

Wheelchair space and transfers available.

Are there adapted toilets?

An adapted toilet is available in the stalls corridor

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 not allowed inside the auditorium. Staff are available to dog-sit.

Please contact the theatre directly for further information.

Shows currently at this venue

Amadeus placeholder artwork

Show

Amadeus

His Majesty's Theatre (Formerly Her Majesty's Theatre)

Verification notes

  • Current venue JSON verified locally on 2026-03-27.

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