The Aldwych Theatre

The Aldwych Theatre in the West End of London was built as a pair with the Waldorf Theatre (now called the Novello Theatre) They were both designed by W.G.R. Sprague. Seymour Hicks funded the project and the theatres were built by Walter Wallis of Balham.

The Aldwych theatre opened on 23rd December 1905 with a production of Blue Bell. From 1925-1933 it was used for performances of Ben Traver's farces, also known as "The Aldwych Farces". From the mid-1930s until 1960 it was owned by the Abrahams family.

The Royal Shakespeare Company of Stratford-upon-Avon based its London productions in the Aldwych Theatre. This was to be for three years. However they stayed for over 20 years, finally moving to the Barbican in 1982.

The current capacity is around 1,150.

Recent shows include
An Inspector Calls (25th August 1993 - 21st January 1995)
Whistle Down The Wind (1st July 1998 - 6th January 2001)
Fame (6th September 2002 - 22nd April 2006) now playing at the Shaftesbury theatre.
Dancing In The Streets (27th April 2006 - 16th July 2006) now playing at the Playhouse theatre.
Dirty Dancing (28th September 2006 - )