British Theatre

Venue

3-5 Catherine Street, London, WC2B 5LA

Duchess Theatre

4.7 · 4.4k Google reviews Box office closed · opens 10am

The Duchess Theatre is a West End theatre in the City of Westminster, London, located in Catherine Street near Aldwych. The theatre opened on 25 November 1929 and is one of the smallest West End theatres with a proscenium arch.

0330 333 4810 Open in Google Maps

Photos via Google. Attributions: Toni McMorris, Nigel B, The Hungry Foodie, Cathy Levan

Current attached shows

1

Google rating

4.7 ★ (4.4k)

Venue info

Het Duchess Theatre is een iconisch theater in Londen dat wordt uitgelicht op British Theatre. Ontdek de nieuwste voorstellingen, praktische informatie over de zaal en handige tips voor het boeken van tickets voordat je een bezoek brengt. Het Duchess Theatre opende haar deuren op 25 november 1929 met de productie Tunnel Trench van Hubert Griffith. Om optimaal gebruik te maken van de beperkte ruimte — het is een van de kleinste West End-theaters met een lijsttoneel — werd de zaal onder straatniveau gebouwd. De daaropvolgende productie, The Intimate Revue, heeft de twijfelachtige eer van de kortste looptijd in de geschiedenis van West End; de show werd al stopgezet nog voordat de eerste voorstelling volledig was afgerond. In 1934 trad J.B. Priestley toe tot de directie van het theater, waar hij toezag op de producties van zijn eigen stukken Eden End, Cornelius en Time and the Conways. Een van de meest iconische producties in het theater was Blithe Spirit van Noël Coward, dat in 1942 overkwam van het Piccadilly Theatre en een indrukwekkende reeks van 1.997 voorstellingen neerzette. Jarenlang bleef het theater een plek waar nieuwe stukken werden afgewisseld met succesvolle overnames uit andere theaters. Na het succes van Pinters The Caretaker (1960) en Bill Naughtons Alfie (1963), verwelkomde het theater in 1965 de populaire komedie Boeing Boeing (die er twee jaar bleef staan) en Oh! Calcutta!, een overname van de Royalty die van 1974 tot 1980 geprogrammeerd stond. Ook in de jaren '90 bleef de Duchess de plek voor succesvolle transfers, met de komst van Run for Your Wife (voor het laatste jaar van een negenjarige speelperiode) en de National Theatre-producties Copenhagen (1999) en Blue/Orange (2001). Tegenwoordig biedt het theater nog altijd onderdak aan zowel geprezen hernemingen als nieuwe premières, en blijft het een geliefde locatie voor succesvolle producties die elders hun start kenden (zoals recentelijk de productie van The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui van het Chichester Festival Theatre). Bakersfield MistThe Wind In The WillowsUntold Stories, Fences, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (2013)Written on the Heart, The Hurly Burly Show, Our Boys, The Boy with Tape on His Face (2012)Butley, Ruby Wax: Losing It, The Pitmen Painters (2011)Morecambe, Ghosts, The Fantasticks, Krapp's Last Tape (2010)Plague Over England, Collaboration, Taking Sides, Endgame (2009)The Buddy Holly Story (2007)Stones in his Pockets (2006)Man and Boy, The Birthday Party, Glorious (2005)George Gershwin Alone, Coyote on a Fence, Little Women (2004)Zipp, Through the Leaves, Betrayal (2003)Life After George, The Glee Club, Via Dolorosa, Damsels in Distress (2002)Blue/Orange, Alone it Stands (2001) Buslijnen 1, 4, 6, 11, 13, 15, 23, 26, 59, 68, 76, 77A, 91, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 243 en 341 NCP Drury Lane, Chinatown (via de Q-Park-regeling), of parkeren bij de enkele gele lijnen in Russell Street. Er is een ATT-traplift beschikbaar. Graag vooraf aanmelden. Er is een aangepast toilet beschikbaar bij de Stalls (benedenruimte). GEASSISTEERDE VOORSTELLINGEN:Zijn er voorzieningen voor slechthorenden? Er is een infraroodsysteem beschikbaar in het grootste deel van de zaal (niet beschikbaar op de eerste drie rijen en in de loges). Er zijn zowel ringleiding- als conventionele headsets aanwezig (10 stuks beschikbaar). Hulphonden zijn welkom in de zaal als u op een stoel aan het gangpad of in een loge zit. Het personeel kan ook op maximaal twee honden passen tijdens de voorstelling. Neem voor meer informatie rechtstreeks contact op met het theater. Welkom bij de rampzalige uitvoering van 'The Murder at Haversham Manor' door de Cornley Drama Society! Deze langstlopende comedyshow van West End krijgt het publiek in het Duchess Theatre al sinds 2014 onbedaarlijk aan het lachen. Deze bekroonde Mischief Theatre-hit, winnaar van de Olivier Award voor beste nieuwe comedy, bewijst maar weer eens: alles wat mis kán gaan... gaat ook op glorieuze en hilarische wijze mis. Wees er als eerste bij voor de beste tickets, exclusieve aanbiedingen en het laatste nieuws uit West End. U kunt zich op elk gewenst moment afmelden. Privacybeleid

History

The Duchess theatre opened on 25 November 1929 with a production of Tunnel Trench by Hubert Griffith. To fit the size of the site (one of the smallest ‘proscenium arched’ West End theatres), the stalls were built below street level. Its next production, The Intimate Revue has the dubious honor of the shortest run in West End history after the show closed without completing its first performance. In 1934, J B Preistley joined the management of the theatre, and oversaw the production of his plays Eden End, Cornelius, and Time and the Conways.

One of the theatre’s most famous productions was Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit, which transferred from the Piccadilly Theatre in 1942. It completed a run of 1,997 performances. The theatre would see further large transfers in between newer work for many years. After the success of Pinter’s The Caretaker (1960) and Bill Naughton’s Alfie (1963), the theatre received the transfer of popular comedy Boeing Boeing in 1965 (where it remained for two years), and Oh Calcutta!, a transfer from the Royalty that remained in residence from 1974-80.

The 1990s continued the theme of successful transfers, with the arrival of Run for Your Wife (completing the final year of its nine-year run), and the National Theatre’s Copenhagen (1999) and Blue/Orange (2001). The theatre still plays host to many great revivals and premieres, as well as being the home for play transfers (the most recent being the Chichester Festival Theatre’s production of The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui).

Past performances

Bakersfield MistThe Wind In The WillowsUntold Stories, Fences, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (2013)
Written on the Heart, The Hurly Burly Show, Our Boys, The Boy with Tape on His Face (2012)
Butley, Ruby Wax: Losing It, The Pitmen Painters (2011)
Morecambe, Ghosts, The Fantasticks, Krapp's Last Tape (2010)
Plague Over England, Collaboration, Taking Sides, Endgame (2009)
The Buddy Holly Story (2007)
Stones in his Pockets (2006)
Man and Boy, The Birthday Party, Glorious (2005)
George Gershwin Alone, Coyote on a Fence, Little Women (2004)
Zipp, Through the Leaves, Betrayal (2003)
Life After George, The Glee Club, Via Dolorosa, Damsels in Distress (2002)
Blue/Orange, Alone it Stands (2001)


Box office hours

Box office closed · opens 10am

  • Monday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Sunday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 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, Charing Cross

Train

Charing Cross

Bus

1, 4, 6, 11, 13, 15, 23, 26, 59, 68, 76, 77A, 91, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 243, 341

Parking

NCP Drury Lane, Chinatown (Q Park Scheme), Single yellow lines in Russell Street.

Seating plan

Duchess Theatre seating plan

Accessibility

Wheelchair Access

ATT Stair Climber available. Advance notice required.

Are there adapted toilets?

An adapted toilet is available in the stalls

Assisted Performances

Are there facilities for the hard-of-hearing?

There is an infrared system working throughout most of the auditorium (Not Available first three rows and boxes) with both loop and conventional headsets (10 headsets available).

Are guide dogs and/or hearing dogs permitted?

Access dogs are allowed inside the auditorium if seating in an aisle seat or box. Staff can also dog-sit for two dogs maximum.

Please contact the theatre directly for further information.

Shows currently at this venue

Previous productions

What visitors say

5.0 · a month ago
The Duchess Theatre is a lovely, small venue with really friendly staff, and The Play That Goes Wrong is absolutely brilliant. The cast are hilarious, the timing is spot‑on, and the whole show has the audience laughing nonstop. A genuinely fun, feel‑good night out that’s well worth it.
— Jools W
5.0 · 2 months ago
I recently visited the Duchess Theatre in London for The Play That Goes Wrong, and let me tell you, this place was amazing. From the moment I walked in, the staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming, instantly putting this clearly-not-a-local at ease. The theatre itself is beautiful, classic, intimate, and full of old-world charm, with ornate details that make you feel like you’re about to witness something special (or spectacularly disastrous, given the show). The seating and sightlines were fantastic, making it feel cozy without ever feeling cramped. And the play? Absolutely hysterical. Nonstop laughter, perfectly timed chaos, and physical comedy that somehow manages to be both outrageous and razor-sharp. It’s an absolute must-see, even if you think you know what’s coming, trust me, you don’t. As a bonus, the theatre’s close proximity to the Tube was a dream, especially for someone not from London. Walk out, turn a corner, and you’re basically back underground, no stress, no confusion, no accidental sightseeing detours. 10/10 would absolutely come back for the beautifully choreographed disasters on stage.
— XTopher Travels
5.0 · 4 months ago
Small intimate theater, but overall an amazing play! This is the 3rd play we have seen here in London, and is our favorite! The humor is peak British comedy. I loved the cast and the storytelling of the play. In conclusion, it is a must see for any travelers.
— Jack Thomas
5.0 · 2 months ago
Small and intimate theatre. Went to watch “The play that goes wrong” and it was incredibly funny. We were in the stalls, on the 3rd row, on the left and view was fantastic. Nice staff.
— Rita Pereira

Reviews sourced from Google Maps.

Live venue listings

REVIEW: Cruise, Duchess Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

21 May 2021

View listing

REVIEW:The Play That Goes Wrong, Duchess Theatre ✭✭✭✭

12 September 2016

View listing

REVIEW: The Play That Goes Wrong, Duchess Theatre ✭✭✭✭

11 April 2015

View listing

REVIEW: Bakersfield Mist, Duchess Theatre ✭✭✭

26 June 2014

View listing

Nearby venues

Frequently asked questions

What's on at Duchess Theatre?

The current production at Duchess Theatre is The Play That Goes Wrong. Browse and book tickets directly through British Theatre.

What's the nearest tube station to Duchess Theatre?

The nearest tube station is Covent Garden, Charing Cross.

Where is Duchess Theatre?

Duchess Theatre is located at 3-5 Catherine Street, London, WC2B 5LA.

How can I contact Duchess Theatre?

You can call Duchess Theatre on 0330 333 4810. For tickets and bookings, please use British Theatre to secure the best seats.

What are the box office hours at Duchess Theatre?

The Duchess Theatre box office (ticket desk) operates: Monday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sunday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Right now the box office is closed · opens 10am. The theatre itself opens around 45 minutes before curtain-up — and you can book online any time through British Theatre.

Is Duchess Theatre accessible?

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

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