4.8star rating
from £31.25
Venue
Lyric Theatre, London
4.5 · 7.4k Google reviews
The Lyric Theatre is a West End theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue in the City of Westminster. It was built for the producer Henry Leslie, who financed it from the profits of the light opera hit, Dorothy, which he transferred from its original venue to open the new theatre on 17 December 1888.
Photos via Google. Attributions: Nic Nic, Francisco Cabeda, R I, Tony Brassell
Capacity
Just under 1,000 (four levels)
Current attached shows
5
Google rating
4.5 ★ (7.4k)
Venue info
The Lyric Theatre is a West End theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue in the City of Westminster. It was built for the producer Henry Leslie, who financed it from the profits of the light opera hit, Dorothy, which he transferred from its original venue to open the new theatre on 17 December 1888.
History
The Lyric Theatre opened on 17 December 1888 on Shaftesbury Avenue (where it is currently oldest theatre on the street). It was originally built for Henry J Leslie as a home for operettas, but over the years has become more associated with straight dramas, comedies, and musicals.
Whilst the theatre retains a lot of its original features (including the 1767 house front it was built behind), it refurbished the foyer and bars in 1932-33, and the façade was restored in 1994.
One of the theatres most successful productions was 1950s The Little Hut, which ran for 1,261 performances. Tragedy struck during a production of Loot in 1984, when Leonard Rossiter suddenly passed away due to heart troubles whilst waiting to go onstage. The Really Useful Group purchased the Lyric in 2000.
Past performances
Tiger Who Came To Tea (2014)
Eddie Izzard: Stripped (2008)
The Night of the Iguana, Smaller, Grumpy Old Woman, Cabaret (2006)
Death of a Salesman (2005)
Beautiful and Damned (2004)
The Constant Wife (2002)
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (2001)
Brief Encounter (2000)
And Ideal Husband (1998)
Ain’t Misbehavin’ (1995)
Five Guys Named Moe (1990)
Steel Magnolias (1989)
Loot (1984)
Transport
Tube
Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square
Train
Charing Cross
Bus
14, 19, 22B, 38, 53, 88, 94, 159
Parking
Soho, Chinatown (Q Park scheme). NCP Wardour Street, Newport Place, Denman Street, Lexington Street. MasterPark Poland Street, Chinatown.
Seating plan and where to sit
The single best place to sit at the Lyric Theatre is the centre of the Stalls, roughly rows F to J, where the sightlines to the stage are cleanest. If you want to be closer to the action, the front and centre of the Dress Circle is the strong alternative. The theatre holds just under 1,000 across four levels: Stalls, Dress Circle, Grand Circle (sometimes called the Upper Circle) and Balcony.
| Level | Best for | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Stalls | Best overall view, especially the central rows | The auditorium curves into a horseshoe, so seats at the far ends of rows look at the stage from an angle. A few support pillars affect scattered seats. |
| Dress Circle | Close, elevated views from the front and centre | The front rows follow the curve of the balcony, so seats towards the ends face the stage at an angle. This level is reached from the main foyer. |
| Grand Circle | Budget-friendly central seats with a full stage picture | Also listed as the Upper Circle by some sellers. It sits high, and the long front row curves round to give side-on views at the ends. |
| Balcony | The cheapest seats in the house | The highest and furthest level. It feels a long way from the stage and safety rails can clip the view from some rows. |
Best seats at the Lyric Theatre
For Hadestown, aim for the middle of the Stalls, around rows F to J, where you get the fullest, most head-on view of the staging and the show's revolving centrepiece. The front and centre of the Dress Circle is the best higher-up option, giving you a clear, slightly elevated angle on the whole stage picture.
Seats to check before you book
The Lyric is a horseshoe-shaped auditorium with a handful of support pillars, so a few seats carry a genuine obstruction. In the Stalls, the far ends of the rear rows and seats directly behind pillars are the ones to check, and there are several lower-priced restricted-view seats in this section. In the Dress Circle a couple of pillars clip the view from certain seats, while the front row of the Grand Circle and the sides of the Balcony give side-on or distant angles. Always look at a seat photo for the exact seat before you commit.
Best value
The seats immediately around the premium centre Stalls tend to offer a very similar view for noticeably less, often around £20 cheaper, which makes them the smartest value in the house. If you simply want the lowest price, the front block of the Balcony is the cheapest way in. If you are not sure which level suits you, our West End seating guide explains how the levels compare. Compare live prices and seat availability across every section at Hadestown.
Accessibility
Wheelchair Access
Wheelchair spaces and transfer seats available.
Are there adapted toilets?
An adapted toilet is available in the Royal entrance.
Assisted Performances
Are there facilities for the hard-of-hearing?
There is an infrared system working throughout the auditorium (8 headsets)
Are guide dogs and/or hearing dogs permitted?
Access dogs are allowed in the boxes, but not in the auditorium. Staff available to dog sit.
Please contact the theatre directly for further information.
Shows currently at this venue
from £30
Concerts
from £25
from £12
Concerts
from £24
Previous productions
A Breakfast Of Eels
Lyric Theatre, London
Show
Brief Encounter
Lyric Theatre, London
Show
Buried - A New Musical
Lyric Theatre, London
Show
Dames At Sea
Lyric Theatre, London
Duncton Wood
Lyric Theatre, London
Show
Faustus - That Damned Woman
Lyric Theatre, London
Fiver the musical
Lyric Theatre, London
Show
Future Demons - Concept Album
Lyric Theatre, London
Show
God Bless You Mr Rosewater
Lyric Theatre, London
Show
Howard
Lyric Theatre, London
Show
I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical
Lyric Theatre, London
Jason Robert Brown In Concert
Lyric Theatre, London
John and Jen
Lyric Theatre, London
Lazarus
Lyric Theatre, London
Show
Leave To Remain
Lyric Theatre, London
Show
Love
Lyric Theatre, London
Show
Love Love Love
Lyric Theatre, London
On The Town
Lyric Theatre, London
Paul Auster's City Of Glass
Lyric Theatre, London
Show
ROUND UP: Get Up Stand Up!
Lyric Theatre, London
Rumpy Pumpy
Lyric Theatre, London
Show
Solaris
Lyric Theatre, London
Song From Far Away
Lyric Theatre, London
Steel Magnolias
Lyric Theatre, London
Show
The Black Book
Lyric Theatre, London
The Dreamers
Lyric Theatre, London
The Gruffalo
Lyric Theatre, London
from £12.50
The League Of Youth
Lyric Theatre, London
The Motherf**ker With The Hat
Lyric Theatre, London
Show
The Plough And The Stars
Lyric Theatre, London
Things I Know To Be True
Lyric Theatre, London
Concerts
from £30
What visitors say
5.0· 2 months ago
The venue is incredible, we saw Hadestown which was an amazing show. They use the stage so well, pieces can go up and down, walls move, they have swinging pieces and strobe lights. Drinks were themed to the show and tasted great, decent toilets, friendly staff who went the extra mile.
5.0· 2 months ago
A wonderful chamber theater, founded in 1880, located near Piccadilly Circus tube station. We really enjoyed "Hadestown," a touching and timeless story of Orpheus and Eurydice. The actors were superb. The staff was polite, and everything was wonderful, except for the slightly cramped and uncomfortable seats, which caused some discomfort. Otherwise, everything was great.
3.0· 3 months ago
Saw Hadestown New Years Eve. We were upgraded to row G. We thought our view in the stalls would be obscured by people in front but we had an excellent view. The Musical itself was ok, with some very talented singers. The theatre itself is lovely and just a few metres walk from Piccadilly tube station.
4.0· 6 months ago
The staff at the Lyric Theatre were fantastic — well-presented, professional, and incredibly friendly. They managed the crowd on the busy street efficiently and made sure everyone was guided smoothly to their sections. Inside, the venue was clean and easy to navigate. Finding our seats, restrooms, and concession areas was straightforward, which made for a stress-free experience. The balcony layout offered good viewing angles overall, though the higher seating sections do extend quite far above the stage. This can make it a bit challenging to see over taller audience members, and the distance from the stage can lessen the sense of immersion slightly. Of course, this depends on ticket choice and price range, but it’s something to keep in mind when booking. We watched Hadestown, and the performance was absolutely brilliant. The main cast delivered powerful, moving vocals, and the supporting ensemble was impressively synchronized throughout. The live on-stage musicians added an incredible energy that’s best appreciated in person. Show timings were punctual from start to finish, and the entire production was a joy to watch. Overall, the Lyric Theatre offers a great experience — excellent staff, a well-kept venue, and a world-class show. Just be mindful of your seating choice for the best view. ( Pictures from balcony row H)
Reviews sourced from Google Maps.
Live venue listings
Nearby venues
Frequently asked questions
Where are the best seats at the Lyric Theatre?
The best seats are in the centre of the Stalls, roughly rows F to J, which give the fullest and most head-on view of the stage. For a raised alternative, the front and centre of the Dress Circle also offers excellent sightlines.
Which seats have restricted views at the Lyric Theatre?
The Lyric has a horseshoe shape and a few support pillars, so seats behind pillars and at the far ends of rear Stalls rows can be obstructed, and there are several lower-priced restricted-view seats in the Stalls. The front row of the Grand Circle and the sides of the Balcony give side-on or distant angles, so it is worth checking a seat photo before booking.
How many seats does the Lyric Theatre have?
The Lyric Theatre seats just under 1,000 people, with published figures ranging from about 938 to around 990. The seats are spread across four levels: Stalls, Dress Circle, Grand Circle and Balcony.
Is there step-free or accessible seating at the Lyric Theatre?
Yes. Wheelchair spaces are in the Dress Circle Boxes, which are at street level and reached step-free via the Shaftesbury Avenue access entrance, and there is an adapted toilet in the Dress Circle. The theatre has no lift, so the Grand Circle and Balcony are reached by stairs, 25 and 60 respectively.
What is the best value section for Hadestown?
The best value is usually the seats surrounding the premium centre Stalls, which give a very similar view for around £20 less. If you want the lowest price of all, the front block of the Balcony is the cheapest way into the theatre.
What's on at Lyric Theatre, London?
The current production at Lyric Theatre, London is Hadestown. Browse and book tickets directly through British Theatre.
What's the nearest tube station to Lyric Theatre, London?
The nearest tube station is Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square.
How can I contact Lyric Theatre, London?
You can call Lyric Theatre, London on 0330 333 4812. For tickets and bookings, please use British Theatre to secure the best seats.
Is Lyric Theatre, London accessible?
Lyric Theatre, London offers wheelchair-accessible entrance, wheelchair-accessible seating, wheelchair-accessible toilets. Please contact the venue directly if you have specific access requirements.
How big is Lyric Theatre, London?
Lyric Theatre, London has a capacity of Just under 1,000 (four levels) — small enough to feel intimate but large enough to host major productions.
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