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Venue

21 Wellington Street, WC2E 7RQ

Teatro Lyceum

4.7 · 21.2k Google reviewsBox office closed · opens tuesday 10am

The Lyceum Theatre ( ly-SEE-əm) is a West End theatre located in the City of Westminster, on Wellington Street, just off the Strand in central London. It has a seating capacity of 2,100.

Photos via Google. Attributions: Lyceum Theatre, Fra nci, Cristian Schiffino, Mohit Gupta

Capacity

Around 2,100 to 2,200 (three levels)

Current attached shows

1

Google rating

4.7 ★ (21.2k)

Venue info

The Lyceum Theatre ( ly-SEE-əm) is a West End theatre located in the City of Westminster, on Wellington Street, just off the Strand in central London. It has a seating capacity of 2,100.

History

The Old Lyceum Theatre was built in 1765, producing plays and musical entertainments. Between 1794 and 1809 the building served various purposes, including a circus, a chapel, a concert room, and an exhibition room for the first waxworks displayed by Madame Tussaud. It was used by the Drury Lane Company between 1809 and 1812, before being rebuilt in 1816 as The English Opera House. A fire destroyed it in 1830.

A new site opened in 1834 under the name Theatre Royal Lyceum and English Opera House, championing English opera with productions such as The Mountain Sylph and Fair Rosamund. The emphasis towards opera would slowly decline until the theatre started producing plays again from 1844.

Notable productions of the 19th Century were The Bells (150 performances), Charles 1 (180), and Hamlet (200), all starring Henry Irving. Bram Stoker was working as a business manager during Irving’s tenure at the theatre, and the actor served as the real-life inspiration for Count Dracula in the novel Dracula, which would later be produced on the Lyceum stage (much to Stoker’s disappointment, Irving did not agree to perform in the adaptation).

The 20th Century was a time of fluctuation for the theatre, with the theatre closing in 1939, being converted into a ballroom in 1951 (hosting performances by big bands and rock bands such as The Police, The Clash, The Smiths, Bob Marley, and Genesis), and finally going dark in 1986. It was finally restored and renovated in 1996, where it began producing musicals. The Lion King, its current production, has been running since 1999.

Past performances

The Lion King (24 September 1999 -)
Oklahoma! (February 1999 – June 1999)
Jesus Christ Superstar (19 November 1996 – 28 March 1998)


Box office hours

Box office closed · opens tuesday 10am

  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 7:45 PM
  • Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:45 PM
  • Thursday: 10:00 AM – 7:45 PM
  • Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:45 PM
  • Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:45 PM
  • Sunday: 11:00 AM – 2:45 PM

These are the box office (ticket desk) hours supplied by Google. The theatre itself opens around 45 minutes before curtain-up — always check your ticket for the performance start time. You can book online any time through British Theatre.

Transport

Tube

Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Charing Cross

Train

Charing Cross

Bus

6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, 77A, 91, 139, 176

Parking

NCP Drury Lane. Chinatown, Trafalgar (Q Park scheme)

Seating plan and where to sit

The best all-round seats at the Lyceum Theatre are in the centre Stalls, roughly a third of the way back, where the puppetry and set fill your view at the right distance. If you want to be closer, the front and middle of the Royal Circle gives a superb panoramic sweep of the stage. The Lyceum holds around 2,100 to 2,200 people across three levels: the Stalls, the Royal Circle and the Grand Circle, plus a handful of boxes.

LevelBest forWorth knowing
StallsBeing close to the action and the aisle processionsCentral rows about a third back are the sweet spot. The Royal Circle overhang cuts into the view from roughly row T back.
Royal CircleA wide, elevated view of the whole stageFront and centre rows are the pick and are popular with families. It is a step up from street level.
Grand CircleA full stage view at the lowest pricesThe front rows see everything, though a safety rail can clip the very front of the stage. It is the highest and most distant level.

Best seats at the Lyceum Theatre

For The Lion King, the centre Stalls around a third of the way back are hard to beat, letting you take in the animal puppets and the choreography without missing detail. An aisle seat in the Stalls has its own reward, as the famous opening procession parades down the gangways right past you. The front and middle of the Royal Circle is the strong alternative if you prefer height and a complete view of the staging.

Seats to check before you book

A few areas are worth a second look. In the rear Stalls the Royal Circle overhang begins around row T, so seats towards the back can lose the top of the set and feel more enclosed. The angled seats at the far ends of the first few Stalls rows can clip the near edge of the stage, and the front row of the Grand Circle has a safety rail that occasionally sits in the sightline. The boxes are intimate and fun but are side on, so they are classed as restricted view.

Best value

The front of the Grand Circle is the smart-value choice, giving a complete, if distant, view of the whole stage for the lowest prices in the house. Stalls aisle seats a third of the way back are also excellent value, pairing a strong central view with a front-row spot for the procession. 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 The Lion King.

Lyceum Theatre seating plan

Accessibility

Wheelchair Access

Wheelchair spaces and transfer seats available.

Are there adapted toilets?

Adapted toilets are available.

Assisted Performances

Are there facilities for the hard-of-hearing?

There is an infrared system working throughout the auditorium. Sign-language interpreted performances available.

Are guide dogs and/or hearing dogs permitted?

Access dogs are allowed inside the auditorium. Staff available to dog sit.

Please contact the theatre directly for further information.

Shows currently at this venue

Full what's-on listing for Lyceum Theatre

Previous productions

What visitors say

5.0· 2 months ago
Theatre is pretty compact but does the job. Lion king show was GREAT!!! Fairly priced food and drinks. Souvenirs prices are crazy though. I recommend keeping jacket with you instead of using cloakroom - it is pretty chilly inside (during winter). Staff is very helpful. We loved the visit!
— M Z
5.0· 3 months ago
Watching The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre is an experience that begins the moment you walk through the doors. The theatre itself is absolutely beautiful, with a classic and elegant architecture that immediately sets the tone for the night. The seats are very comfortable, the layout is well designed, and the overall atmosphere is fantastic, full of excitement and anticipation. The show is truly extraordinary. From the very first scene, you are completely drawn in by the power of the music, the creativity of the staging, and the incredible energy of the production. Every single actor delivers an outstanding performance, combining strong vocals, expressive movement, and genuine emotion. The music is powerful and immersive, creating moments that give you goosebumps and stay with you long after the curtain falls. The production quality is exceptional. The costumes, choreography, and visual effects are all executed with incredible attention to detail, making the story come alive in a magical and unforgettable way. Everything flows seamlessly, keeping you engaged from beginning to end and making time fly by. This is definitely something you should not miss if you are visiting London. More than just a musical, it is a complete and memorable experience that captures the heart and reminds you why live theatre is so special. An absolute must see.
— daniel G
5.0· 3 months ago
Lyceum Theatre – London A very beautiful and classic theatre with so much character. The interior is stunning and really gives that old-school London theatre charm. The only downside for me was that it felt a bit warm inside — would be even better with stronger air-conditioning, especially when the theatre is full. That aside, the experience was amazing. This was my first time watching The Lion King, and it absolutely blew me away. The costumes, stage design, live music, and performers were incredible — you can really see the full effort and passion put into the show. A truly memorable experience and definitely worth watching at least once in your life. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (minus one tiny star for the heat 😄)
— Caleb Chai
5.0· a month ago
We came here for Lion King and I absolutely loved it. The decoration, the costumes, the powerful singing, the interaction with the audience: every element works beautifully together. The actors are outstanding, and the whole experience feels like a teleport back to childhood while also being deeply heartwarming as an adult. The intermission is very well organized, and even the ice cream during the break is a lovely touch. On the downside: the theatre seating could be better designed. The chairs are not sufficiently elevated, so if someone taller sits in front of you, the view can become quite limited. Overall, a magical, emotional experience that I would highly recommend.
— Dorina Baltag

Reviews sourced from Google Maps.

Live venue listings

REVIEW: A Christmas Carol, Lyceum Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

13 December 2017

View listing

REVIEW: The Lion King, Lyceum Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

22 January 2016

View listing

REVIEW: The Visit, Lyceum Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

14 April 2015

View listing

REVIEW: The Realistic Joneses, Lyceum Theatre ✭✭✭✭

14 April 2014

View listing

Nearby venues

Frequently asked questions

Where are the best seats at the Lyceum Theatre?

The best all-round seats are in the centre Stalls, roughly a third of the way back, where the puppetry and set sit at the ideal distance. The front and middle of the Royal Circle is the top alternative for a wide, elevated view of the whole stage.

Which seats have a restricted view at the Lyceum Theatre?

The rear Stalls sit under the Royal Circle overhang, which begins around row T and can cut off the top of the set. The angled seats at the far ends of the front Stalls rows can clip the edge of the stage, the front row of the Grand Circle has a safety rail that sometimes obscures the view, and the side boxes are classed as restricted.

How many seats does the Lyceum Theatre have?

The Lyceum Theatre seats around 2,100 to 2,200 people across three levels. These are the Stalls, the Royal Circle and the Grand Circle, along with a small number of boxes.

Does the Lyceum Theatre have step-free or accessible seating?

Yes. There are six wheelchair spaces in the Stalls, reached via a step-free entrance on Wellington Street, and a lift serves all levels from the Exeter Street entrance. The Stalls floor is raked from around row C, so let the box office know your needs when booking.

What is the best value section for The Lion King?

The front of the Grand Circle is the best value, giving a full view of the whole stage at the lowest prices, even if it is more distant. Stalls aisle seats a third of the way back are also good value, combining a central view with a spot right by the opening procession.

What's on at Lyceum Theatre?

The current production at Lyceum Theatre is The Lion King. Browse and book tickets directly through British Theatre.

What's the nearest tube station to Lyceum Theatre?

The nearest tube station is Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Charing Cross.

Where is Lyceum Theatre?

Lyceum Theatre is located at 21 Wellington Street, WC2E 7RQ.

What are the box office hours at Lyceum Theatre?

The Lyceum Theatre box office (ticket desk) operates: Monday: Closed; Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 7:45 PM; Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:45 PM; Thursday: 10:00 AM – 7:45 PM; Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:45 PM; Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:45 PM; Sunday: 11:00 AM – 2:45 PM. Right now the box office is closed · opens tuesday 10am. The theatre itself opens around 45 minutes before curtain-up — and you can book online any time through British Theatre.

Is Lyceum Theatre accessible?

Lyceum Theatre offers wheelchair-accessible entrance, wheelchair-accessible seating, wheelchair-accessible toilets. Please contact the venue directly if you have specific access requirements.

How big is Lyceum Theatre?

Lyceum Theatre has a capacity of Around 2,100 to 2,200 (three levels) — small enough to feel intimate but large enough to host major productions.