Novello Theatre London: What to Know Before You Go

The Novello Theatre on Aldwych in London is a mid-sized West End venue with a history stretching back to the early twentieth century, a central location close to Covent Garden, and an auditorium suited to the kind of large-scale musical productions that draw audiences from across London and internationally. This guide covers the theatre's history and layout, the seating options at each level, access provisions, directions and practical tips for a visit. The Novello Theatre is at Aldwych, London WC2B 4LD, in the Covent Garden area. The building was originally constructed in the early twentieth century as the Strand Theatre, one of several West End venues built in the Edwardian period that have remained in use as part of the London theatre landscape. The theatre was renamed the Novello Theatre in 2005 in honour of Ivor Novello, the Welsh composer, actor and playwright who was one of the most celebrated figures in British musical theatre in the early to mid-twentieth century. The auditorium seats approximately 1,100 people, placing it in the mid-tier of West End houses by capacity. It is larger than the smaller studio-scale venues and the intimate houses of the fringe, but significantly smaller than the major houses at the top of the scale such as the Theatre Royal Drury Lane or the Apollo Victoria Theatre. This mid-size positioning makes the Novello Theatre well suited to productions that require a substantial house without the technical and logistical demands of the very largest venues. Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre brings the songs of ABBA to the West End stage in a production that has demonstrated remarkable longevity and popular appeal since its original London opening. The show uses the ABBA catalogue to tell the story of a young woman trying to discover which of three men is her father, set against the backdrop of a Greek island, in a production whose warmth and accessibility have made it a consistent favourite among West End audiences of all ages. Mamma Mia! works particularly well at a venue the size of the Novello Theatre, where the intimacy relative to the very largest West End houses allows the emotional content of the show to land with directness. The combination of well-known music, a clear and affectionate story, and the participatory atmosphere that the show generates in its final sequences makes it a strong choice for first-time West End visitors and regular audience members alike. The Novello Theatre has two main seating levels: the Stalls on the ground floor and the Circle above. The mid-size auditorium means that the difference in experience between the levels is less extreme than in a venue of 2,000 seats; even from the rear of the upper level, the stage remains within a reasonable distance for a production at this scale. Stalls is the ground floor and the largest section of the auditorium. The rake of the Stalls means that sightlines from the rear remain reasonable despite the distance from the stage. The mid-Stalls central block, from approximately rows D or E through to around row M, offers the best combination of proximity to the stage and an unobstructed view across the full width of the playing area. The front rows are close to the stage and give an intense experience of the production; the cast are fully visible at stage level and the scale of the performance is immediate. For a show like Mamma Mia!, where the connection between the performers and the audience is one of the production's key pleasures, the Stalls provides the most direct engagement. The final sequences of the show, in which the audience is explicitly invited to participate, are experienced most directly from the ground floor. Circle is the upper level and provides an elevated view of the full stage picture. In a house of the Novello's scale, the Circle does not carry the same sense of distance that the upper levels of the very largest West End venues involve. The front central rows of the Circle give a clear overview of the full stage, and for productions with significant staging across the full width and depth of the playing area, this elevated perspective shows the complete picture effectively. For audiences where price is the primary consideration, the Circle central section provides good value. The view is clear, the sound carries effectively to this level, and the experience of the show is complete from the upper level without the significant distance that a higher balcony in a 2,000-seat house would involve. Restricted-view seats at the Novello Theatre are at the sides of the Stalls and Circle, where the angle of the seating or structural elements of the building place part of the stage outside the direct sightline. These are sold at a reduced price and are identified as restricted-view in the booking process. For a show like Mamma Mia!, which uses the full width of the stage throughout, avoiding restricted-view seats is advisable for a first visit. The Novello Theatre has access provisions across its levels with the following arrangements applying to the main categories. Step-free access. Access arrangements for the Novello Theatre should be confirmed with the box office in advance, as the building's original early twentieth-century construction means that access provision varies. Front-of-house staff are available on arrival to direct audience members with mobility requirements to the most suitable entry and seating options. Wheelchair spaces. Dedicated wheelchair spaces are available and should be booked in advance through the box office. The box office can also advise on transfer arrangements and the best positions for wheelchair users in the auditorium. Hearing loops. The theatre has an induction loop system. Audience members using hearing aids with a T-setting should contact the box office before the visit for guidance on the most effective positions for loop coverage. Audio description and captioned performances. Productions at the Novello Theatre schedule audio description and captioned performances throughout the run. When booking for a specific access need, verify that the chosen performance date includes the relevant provision. Assistance dogs. Assistance dogs are welcome at the Novello Theatre. The box office should be notified when booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made. The Novello Theatre is on Aldwych and is well served by public transport. By Underground: Temple station (Circle and District lines) is approximately five minutes on foot via the Strand. Covent Garden station (Piccadilly line) is approximately eight to ten minutes on foot. Holborn station (Central and Piccadilly lines) is approximately ten minutes on foot. By bus: The Strand and Aldwych are served by multiple bus routes. The Aldwych stop on the Strand is immediately adjacent to the theatre. By National Rail: Charing Cross station is approximately ten to twelve minutes on foot via the Strand. By car: The area is within the London Congestion Charge zone. Parking in the Aldwych and Covent Garden area is very limited and public transport is strongly recommended. The Aldwych location places the Novello Theatre close to the Covent Garden area, with its concentration of restaurants, cafes and bars, while also being within easy reach of the Strand and the riverside. Long Acre, the streets of Covent Garden and the Strand itself all offer options at varying price points within a short walk. Pre-theatre dining in this area can be busy on performance nights, particularly on Saturdays, and booking in advance is advisable for the better-known restaurants near the theatre. The side streets between Aldwych and Covent Garden offer reliable options that are quieter than the main tourist thoroughfares. At approximately 1,100 seats, the Novello Theatre is a mid-sized West End house. It is comparable in scale to the Fortune Theatre and smaller houses in the district, and significantly more intimate than major venues like the Lyceum Theatre at around 2,100 seats. The mid-size means that the relationship between the audience and the performance is closer at the Novello than in the very largest West End venues. For a show like Mamma Mia!, where audience connection is central to the experience, the Novello's scale suits the production well. For tickets to productions at the Novello Theatre and across all West End venues, tickadoo covers full availability with seat maps and pricing. tickadoo also offers theatre gift vouchers. Where is the Novello Theatre? The Novello Theatre is at Aldwych, London WC2B 4LD. The nearest Underground stations are Temple (Circle and District lines), approximately five minutes on foot, and Covent Garden (Piccadilly line), approximately eight to ten minutes. What is on at the Novello Theatre? Mamma Mia! is the resident production. For the current performance schedule, BritishTheatre.com covers the full West End programme. What are the best seats at the Novello Theatre? The mid-Stalls central block and the front central rows of the Circle provide the best combination of sightlines and engagement with the performance. The Circle central section is the best-value option. How many seats does the Novello Theatre have? The Novello Theatre seats approximately 1,100 people across Stalls and Circle. Is the Novello Theatre accessible for wheelchair users? Wheelchair spaces are available. Contacting the box office in advance is recommended to confirm access arrangements and reserve dedicated spaces.