London Coliseum: A Theatregoer's Guide

The London Coliseum on St Martin's Lane is the largest theatre in the West End, with 2,359 seats and an 80-foot wide stage. Home to the English National Opera since 1968, the Grade II listed Edwardian building also hosts musicals, ballet and large-scale concert productions throughout the year. Here is everything you need to know before visiting.

About the London Coliseum

The London Coliseum was designed by Frank Matcham, the most prolific theatre architect of the Victorian and Edwardian era, and built for impresario Sir Oswald Stoll. It opened on 24 December 1904 as the London Coliseum Theatre of Varieties, with the ambition of being a "people's palace of entertainment." At the time, it was one of the most technically advanced theatres in Europe: it was the first theatre in England to have a triple revolving stage, and one of the few to provide lifts carrying patrons to the upper levels.

The building's early decades were colourful. It staged variety shows, hosted chariot races on its revolving stage, and even screened films during a spell as a Cinerama cinema in the 1960s. In 1968, the Sadler's Wells Opera Company moved in, later becoming the English National Opera (ENO) in 1974. ENO purchased the freehold in 1992, and a major restoration between 2000 and 2004 returned the auditorium and public spaces to their original Edwardian grandeur.

Today, the London Coliseum programmes a mix of opera (performed in English with surtitles), ballet from the English National Ballet, and commercial musicals and concerts during breaks in the ENO season.

Where Is the London Coliseum?

The address is St Martin's Lane, London WC2N 4ES, between Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square, right in the middle of Theatreland.

The nearest tube station is Leicester Square (Piccadilly and Northern lines), roughly three minutes' walk. Exit the station onto Charing Cross Road, turn right, and follow St Martin's Lane past the Wyndham's and Duke of York's theatres until you see the Coliseum on your left. Charing Cross (Bakerloo and Northern lines, plus National Rail) is about four minutes away: exit the station, cross the road, and walk up St Martin's Lane from the south end.

Embankment (District, Circle, Bakerloo and Northern lines) and Covent Garden (Piccadilly line) are both within a ten-minute walk.

Bus routes 24, 29 and 176 stop on Charing Cross Road nearby. Routes 3, 6, 9, 12, 13, 15, 88 and 453 serve Trafalgar Square and Cockspur Street, a short walk to the south. The nearest car parks are Q-Park Chinatown and Q-Park Trafalgar. The Coliseum offers discounted parking through Q-Park; check the venue website for details before your visit.

What's On at the London Coliseum

The programming at the Coliseum changes regularly. The ENO typically stages its opera season across the autumn, winter and spring months, while the gaps between seasons are filled with large-scale musicals, dance productions and one-off events. The English National Ballet performs at the Coliseum each winter, and commercial musicals have included recent productions of We Will Rock You, The Great Gatsby and My Fair Lady.

Check the London Coliseum page on BritishTheatre.com for the latest listings, or browse available tickets through tickadoo.

Seating at the London Coliseum

The auditorium has 2,359 seats spread across four levels: Stalls, Dress Circle, Upper Circle and Balcony. The space was designed for acoustic clarity, and Frank Matcham's pioneering use of cantilevered steel means there are no supporting pillars to block sightlines, which was unusual for the period.

The Stalls offer the closest proximity to the stage. The front rows are particularly close given the sheer width of the proscenium, so central seats in the mid-Stalls tend to give the best overall view. The Dress Circle provides an excellent elevated perspective and strong acoustics, making it a reliable choice for opera and ballet.

The Upper Circle and Balcony are high up, and seating at the extremes of the rows can have restricted angles. However, the rake is generous, so even the upper levels offer clear sightlines from central positions. For ENO performances, note that surtitles are displayed on a screen above the stage; some seats in the upper levels may have a restricted view of this screen.

Accessibility at the London Coliseum

The theatre provides step-free access to the Stalls via a side entrance on St Martin's Lane. A lift in the main foyer serves all auditorium levels except the Upper Circle. There are wheelchair spaces in the Stalls, Dress Circle and Stalls boxes, with transfer seating available in the Dress Circle and Balcony. Wheelchair spaces can be booked through the box office on 020 7845 9300.

The venue has an induction loop system and a radio-wave hearing system in the auditorium. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome in the auditorium, and staff can also look after them during the performance if preferred.

ENO offers regular captioned, audio-described and BSL-interpreted performances. Accessible toilets are available on four of the five levels.

For specific access requirements, contact the access team at access@eno.org before your visit.

Nearby Restaurants and Bars

The area around Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden offers an enormous range of pre-theatre dining. The streets off St Martin's Lane and around Charing Cross Road have restaurants at every price point, from quick-service options to more relaxed dining. Covent Garden and the Seven Dials area are a five-minute walk north and provide further variety.

Inside the venue, the American Bar on the lower ground floor serves a full pre-theatre dining menu. Additional bars include the Foyer Bar and the Sky Bar on the Upper Circle level. Interval drinks can be pre-ordered to beat the queues, and the venue operates cashless payments throughout.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the nearest tube station to the London Coliseum? Leicester Square, on the Piccadilly and Northern lines. It is about three minutes' walk from the theatre. Charing Cross is also nearby.

How many seats does the London Coliseum have? The auditorium has 2,359 seats across four levels, making it the largest theatre in the West End.

Is there a dress code at the London Coliseum? There is no formal dress code. Audiences are welcome to wear whatever they feel comfortable in for most performances. If a particular event has a dress code, it will be noted on your booking confirmation.

Can I eat at the London Coliseum before a show? Yes. The American Bar on the lower ground level serves a pre-theatre dining menu. Additional bars throughout the venue serve drinks and light snacks. You can also find a wide range of restaurants in the surrounding streets.

Are ENO performances in English? Yes. English National Opera performs all its productions in English. Surtitles in English are displayed above the stage during performances.