Can-Can
Peacock Theatre
Venue
Portugal Street, WC2A 2HT
The Peacock Theatre (previously the Royalty Theatre) is a West End theatre in the City of Westminster, located in Portugal Street, near Aldwych. The 999-seat house is owned by, and comprises part of the London School of Economics and Political Science campus, who use the theatre for lectures, public talks, conferences, political speeches and open days.
Photos via Google. Attributions: Peacock Theatre, Sue Monkton, K B
Google rating
4.5 ★ (3.2k)
A theatre has stood on the site of the Peacock since the 17th Century. The Gibbon’s Tennis Court hosted a production of Othello in 1660, which featured the first (identified) woman on a London stage. No other records of plays remain and the building was destroyed in a fire in 1809. A new theatre was commissioned by Oscar Hammerstein I (Oscar Hammerstein II’s grandfather) and opened in 1911 as the London Opera House.
After a string of operatic productions (including a production of The Queen of Spades that featured the first Japanese singer to play Madame Butterfly), low audience numbers led to theatre to be sold to Oswald Stoll in 1916, who renamed it the Stoll Theatre. The theatre hosted cinema screenings, variety acts, and theatrical productions until its closure and demolition in 1957.
The present theatre, known then as The Royalty Theatre, was built in 1960, where it showed films until 1966. With the exception of Oh! Calcutta! few productions found success and the theatre became a TV studio for This is Your Life before its purchase by the London School of Economics (who renamed it the Peacock Theatre). The Sadler’s Wells Company moved to the theatre in 1996, and after the new Sadler’s Wells Theatre opened in 1998, the theatre become their dedicated dance venue. The venue is currently shared between these dance productions and LSE.
The theatre is believed by some to be haunted by a dolphin, known as ‘Flipper’.
Blam! (22 October 2013 – 16 November 2013)
Cirque Eloize (1 October 2013 – 18 October 2013)
Justitia (17 September 2013 – 27 September 2013)
Tube
Holborn
Train
Waterloo
Bus
8, 19, 38, 22B, 25, 188, 501, 521
Parking
Parker Street (24hr Car Park)
Wheelchair platform lifts and spaces available.
Are there adapted toilets?
There is no adapted toilet.
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 inside the auditorium.
Please contact the theatre directly for further information.
Peacock Theatre
Peacock Theatre
£69
Peacock Theatre
Peacock Theatre
Well managed and proportioned so flow during entry and exit is good. Sound is good, temperature was comfortable and the view from our seat was excellent. Leg room was terrible. We were in the front row of the dress circle at the recent showing of The Snowman and could barely move.
It was my first time recently watching ghost stories then snowman, both great. Also is an accessible theatre, it's so helpful to be able to use a lift and not struggle with theatre stairs and having assistance from staff.
Nice smallish Theater in London. I went to see Ghost Stories ( play) on a Sunday afternoon- play started at 5 pm which meant I was home in good time and not tired out the following day. I wish more theatres would consider this more friendly time.
Not my favourite. There is no charm or character. I came here a few times due to the events that are beautiful. The layout as with many theatres aren’t great. Get a pillow if you want to see the podium!!
Reviews sourced from Google Maps.
There is no production currently on sale at Peacock Theatre. Check back soon, or browse our full list of West End shows.
The nearest tube station is Holborn.
Peacock Theatre is located at Portugal Street, WC2A 2HT.
You can call Peacock Theatre on 020 7863 8222. For tickets and bookings, please use British Theatre to secure the best seats.
Peacock 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.