Holborn end of Shaftesbury Avenue
London,
BUILT: 1911
SEATING CAPACITY: 1300
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Shaftesbury Theatre History
The Shaftesbury was the last theatre to be built on Shaftesbury Avenue and was originally named The Princes Theatre. Opening in 1911, it has seen many notable productions and famous faces over the last century and it’s now the largest independent theatre in the West End. Notable shows over the earlier decades include Sarah Bernhardt in Daniel (1921), Sybil Thorndike and Henry Ainley in Macbeth (1926) and Funny Face with Fred Astaire (1928). Then followed a period of change when manager Firth Shepard produced successful shows described as a ‘medley of mirth and music’ like Merrie England (1934 and 1945), Fun and Games (1941) and The Shepard Show (1939 and 1946). The Theatre remained open, despite two occasions of bomb damage, during the Second World War, offering audiences a cultural programme of international talent such as Serge Diaghaleff’s Ballet featuring Margot Fonteyn and the Sadler’s Wells Opera and Ballet.
Shows at the Shaftesbury Theatre
DATES PRODUCTION 3/20/2026 - 8/29/2026 Avenue Q (2026)
Click Here to Buy Tickets5/12/2023 - 4/26/2025 Mrs. Doubtfire (2023) 6/30/2021 - 9/5/2021 Be More Chill (2021) 11/2/2019 - & Juliet (2021) 2/11/2016 - 10/22/2016 Motown the Musical (2016) 9/30/2013 - 1/1/0000 From Here to Eternity (2013) 3/6/2013 - 1/1/0000 Burn the Floor (2013) 8/31/2011 - 1/17/2013 Rock of Ages (2011) 9/24/2010 - 1/15/2011 Flashdance The Musical (2010) 10/11/2007 - 3/28/2010 Hairspray (2007) 9/21/2006 - Daddy Cool (2006) 10/10/2005 - 1/21/2006 High Society (2005) 4/14/2005 - 9/17/2005 The Far Pavilions (2005) 8/18/2004 - 1/15/2005 Bat Boy (2004) 10/21/2003 - 6/26/2004 Thoroughly Modern Millie (2003) 6/26/2003 - 9/20/2003 Calamity Jane (2003) 9/17/2002 - 1/11/2003 125th Street (2002) 8/20/2001 - 10/13/2001 Peggy Sue Got Married (2001) 10/17/2000 - 2/3/2001 Napoleon (2000) 12/13/1999 - 2/26/2000 Casper (1999) 5/12/1998 - 10/30/1999 Rent (1998) 3/5/1996 - 2/8/1997 Tommy (1996) 11/23/1994 - 11/23/1994 Out of the Blue (1994) 9/16/1993 - 3/27/1994 Carousel (1992) 10/20/1992 - 7/17/1993 Kiss of the Spider Woman (1992) 7/21/1987 - 2/4/1989 Follies (1987) 12/17/1983 - 2/4/1984 Aladdin (1983) 10/1/1980 - 5/8/1982 They're Playing Our Song (1980) 1/1/1979 - 1/1/1979 Irma La Douce (1979) 12/7/1977 - 12/7/1977 Drake's Dream (1977) 10/12/1977 - 10/12/1977 Maggie (1977) 6/8/1976 - 6/8/1976 Liza of Lambeth (1976) 10/1/1975 - 10/1/1975 Dad's Army (1975) 9/27/1968 - 9/27/1968 Hair (1968) 12/20/1965 - 12/20/1965 Twang! (1965) 12/22/1964 - 12/22/1964 Our Man Crichton (1964) 3/28/1963 - 3/28/1963 How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1963) 9/14/1937 - 9/14/1937 Crazy Days (1937) 1/13/1936 - 1/13/1936 Fritzi (1935) 11/14/1934 - 11/14/1934 Lucky Break (1934) 4/4/1928 - 4/4/1928 Will o' the Whispers (1928) 6/29/1927 - 6/29/1927 Castles in the Air (1927) 11/17/1926 - 11/17/1926 My Son John (1926) 9/8/1926 - 9/8/1926 Just a Kiss (1926) 4/3/1926 - 4/3/1926 Betty in Mayfair (1925) 2/17/1926 - 2/17/1926 Wildflower (1926) 8/25/1925 - 8/25/1925 Dear Little Billie (1925) 6/9/1925 - 6/9/1925 Clo-Clo (1925) 5/12/1924 - 5/12/1924 Toni (1924) 8/30/1923 - 8/30/1923 Katinka (1923) 5/30/1923 - 5/30/1923 Stop Flirting (1923) 9/27/1920 - 9/27/1920 Oh, Julie (1920) 9/25/1919 - 9/25/1919 Baby Bunting (1919) 9/6/1917 - 9/6/1917 Arlette (1917) 12/22/1916 - 12/22/1916 Three Cheers (1916) 9/14/1916 - 9/14/1916 The Light Blues (1916) 3/1/1916 - 3/1/1916 My Lady Frayle (1916) 6/4/1914 - 6/4/1914 The Cinema Star (1914) 9/25/1913 - 9/25/1913 The Pearl Girl (1913) 2/18/1913 - 2/18/1913 Oh! Oh! Delphine (1913) 5/11/1912 - 5/11/1912 Princess Caprice (1912) 9/9/1911 - 9/9/1911 The Mousmé (1911) 4/28/1909 - 4/28/1909 The Arcadians (1909) 5/1/1907 - 5/1/1907 Lady Tatters (1907) 3/17/1906 - 3/17/1906 Mr. Popple of Ippleton (1905) 5/16/1903 - 5/16/1903 In Dahomey (1903) 1/21/1903 - 1/21/1903 From Sword of Song (1903) 7/11/1900 - 7/11/1900 The Casino Girl (1900) 4/25/1900 - 4/25/1900 The American Beauty (1900) 1/1/1900 - 1/1/1900 The Mystical Miss (1900) 4/9/1899 - 4/9/1899 The Fortune Teller (1899) 4/12/1898 - 4/12/1898 The Belle of New York (1898) 3/31/1897 - 3/31/1897 The Yashmak (1897) 4/13/1893 - 4/13/1893 Morocco Bound (1893) 1/14/1893 - 1/14/1893 La Rosière (1893) 12/22/1892 - 12/22/1892 Joan of Arc (1892) - Lautrec (2000) - Kismet (1978) - Memphis (2014) - Motown the Musical (unknown) - Laughing Eyes (1919) - My Sister and I (1931)
News
Cast and Creative Team Set For AVENUE Q West End Return
by Stephi Wild - Jan 28, 2026
The full cast and creative team have been announced for the West End return of AVENUE Q, bringing the original Broadway puppets to the Shaftesbury Theatre. Learn more here!
by Stephi Wild - Jan 28, 2026
The full cast and creative team have been announced for the West End return of AVENUE Q, bringing the original Broadway puppets to the Shaftesbury Theatre. Learn more here!
Madelyn Smedley and Julius D’Silva Join EDUCATING RITA at Reading Rep
by Stephi Wild - Jan 27, 2026
Actors Madelyn Smedley and Julius D’Silva are set to make their Reading Rep Theatre debuts in a new production of EDUCATING RITA, directed by Annie Kershaw. Learn more here!
by Stephi Wild - Jan 27, 2026
Actors Madelyn Smedley and Julius D’Silva are set to make their Reading Rep Theatre debuts in a new production of EDUCATING RITA, directed by Annie Kershaw. Learn more here!
Les Dennis, Sandra Marvin, Evelyn Hoskins Join WAITRESS UK and Ireland Tour
by Stephi Wild - Jan 22, 2026
Les Dennis, Sandra Marvin, and Evelyn Hoskins are set to join the cast of the UK and Ireland tour of WAITRESS, enhancing the beloved musical with their acclaimed talents.
by Stephi Wild - Jan 22, 2026
Les Dennis, Sandra Marvin, and Evelyn Hoskins are set to join the cast of the UK and Ireland tour of WAITRESS, enhancing the beloved musical with their acclaimed talents.
Photos: ONE DAY: THE MUSICAL in Rehearsal at The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh
by Stephi Wild - Jan 16, 2026
All new rehearsal photos have been released for One Day: The Musical at The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh. Check out the photos and learn more here!
by Stephi Wild - Jan 16, 2026
All new rehearsal photos have been released for One Day: The Musical at The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh. Check out the photos and learn more here!
Matt Cardle Will Lead KINKY BOOTS at London Coliseum
by Stephi Wild - Jan 16, 2026
Multi-platinum-selling recording artist and award-winning West End actor Matt Cardle will play Charlie Price alongside Johannes Radebe as Lola, in the brand-new production of the Olivier, Tony and Grammy Award-winning KINKY BOOTS The Musical.
by Stephi Wild - Jan 16, 2026
Multi-platinum-selling recording artist and award-winning West End actor Matt Cardle will play Charlie Price alongside Johannes Radebe as Lola, in the brand-new production of the Olivier, Tony and Grammy Award-winning KINKY BOOTS The Musical.
Nicole Scherzinger Joins Cast of LOVE LIFE Concert at Theatre Royal Drury Lane This February
by Stephi Wild - Jan 7, 2026
Nicole Scherzinger has been added to the cast of Love Life: West End Unites Against Cancer, a major one-night-only concert at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in support of One For The Boys.
by Stephi Wild - Jan 7, 2026
Nicole Scherzinger has been added to the cast of Love Life: West End Unites Against Cancer, a major one-night-only concert at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in support of One For The Boys.
Ramin Karimloo, Diego Andrés Rodriguez, & More Join LOVE LIFE Benefit Concert
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 2, 2025
This February, the West End theatre community will come together for Love Life: West End Unites Against Cancer, a one-night-only concert at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in support of One For The Boys, the men’s health charity working to break the silence around male cancer. Ramin Karimloo, Tom Francis, Diego Andrés Rodríguez, and more will be in attendance.
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 2, 2025
This February, the West End theatre community will come together for Love Life: West End Unites Against Cancer, a one-night-only concert at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in support of One For The Boys, the men’s health charity working to break the silence around male cancer. Ramin Karimloo, Tom Francis, Diego Andrés Rodríguez, and more will be in attendance.
Photos: Jordan Luke Gage, Ramin Karimloo and More in ROAM Concert Production
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 28, 2025
You can now get a first look at the concert production of ROAM, a new musical directed by Rupert Hands with choreography by Olivier Award winner James Cousins.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 28, 2025
You can now get a first look at the concert production of ROAM, a new musical directed by Rupert Hands with choreography by Olivier Award winner James Cousins.
Interview: 'An Image For ROAM is An Eternal Flame': Ramin Karimloo And Diego Rodriguez on ROAM
by Kat Mokrynski - Nov 24, 2025
On 23 November, ROAM A New Musical premiered in a staged concert production at the Shaftesbury Theatre. The show, with music and lyrics by Alexander Sage Oyen and a book by Michael Dovid, tells the story of a nomadic clan and their familial relationships using a roc-pop-Romani fusion score. Recently, we had the chance to speak with Ramin Karimloo, who plays Yoska, and Diego Rodriguez, who plays his son, Pesha. We discussed what it has been like preparing for the one-night performance, what it is like performing in revivals versus new work and even get their thoughts on mirrors in a rehearsal room!
by Kat Mokrynski - Nov 24, 2025
On 23 November, ROAM A New Musical premiered in a staged concert production at the Shaftesbury Theatre. The show, with music and lyrics by Alexander Sage Oyen and a book by Michael Dovid, tells the story of a nomadic clan and their familial relationships using a roc-pop-Romani fusion score. Recently, we had the chance to speak with Ramin Karimloo, who plays Yoska, and Diego Rodriguez, who plays his son, Pesha. We discussed what it has been like preparing for the one-night performance, what it is like performing in revivals versus new work and even get their thoughts on mirrors in a rehearsal room!
The Iconic Rock Musical HAIR Shines Anew in a Grand Brazilian Revival
by Claudio Erlichman - Nov 13, 2025
The iconic rock musical Hair is back in a bold new Brazilian production directed by Charles Möeller and Claudio Botelho. Opening at São Paulo’s BTG Pactual Hall, the show celebrates the spirit of the 1960s counterculture — peace, love, and rebellion — through powerful anthems like Aquarius and Let the Sunshine In. With a cast of 30 led by Rodrigo Simas and Eduardo Borelli, this vibrant staging fuses rock, poetry, and raw emotion to explore freedom, identity, and protest in a turbulent era. Nearly six decades after its debut, Hair still pulses with youthful defiance and idealism, inviting audiences to sing, reflect, and feel the rhythm of a revolution that never truly ended.
by Claudio Erlichman - Nov 13, 2025
The iconic rock musical Hair is back in a bold new Brazilian production directed by Charles Möeller and Claudio Botelho. Opening at São Paulo’s BTG Pactual Hall, the show celebrates the spirit of the 1960s counterculture — peace, love, and rebellion — through powerful anthems like Aquarius and Let the Sunshine In. With a cast of 30 led by Rodrigo Simas and Eduardo Borelli, this vibrant staging fuses rock, poetry, and raw emotion to explore freedom, identity, and protest in a turbulent era. Nearly six decades after its debut, Hair still pulses with youthful defiance and idealism, inviting audiences to sing, reflect, and feel the rhythm of a revolution that never truly ended.
& JULIET Kicks Off Broadway Series at the Stranahan
by Stephi Wild - Nov 13, 2025
New principal casting for the North American tour of Broadway’s hit musical, & JULIET, has been announced. This production will kick off the 25–26 BROADWAY IN TOLEDO Series.
by Stephi Wild - Nov 13, 2025
New principal casting for the North American tour of Broadway’s hit musical, & JULIET, has been announced. This production will kick off the 25–26 BROADWAY IN TOLEDO Series.
Tickets For & JULIET at The Bushnell to go on Sale Next Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 12, 2025
The National Tour of & Juliet is coming to The Bushnell. The musical features songs by the legendary Grammy-winning songwriter/producer Max Martin, a book by the Emmy-winning writer from “Schitt's Creek'.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 12, 2025
The National Tour of & Juliet is coming to The Bushnell. The musical features songs by the legendary Grammy-winning songwriter/producer Max Martin, a book by the Emmy-winning writer from “Schitt's Creek'.
Shaftesbury Theatre Will Begin Scheduled Refurbishment in February 2026
by Stephi Wild - Nov 4, 2025
Eleanor Lang, Chief Executive of Shaftesbury Theatre, the largest independent theatre in the West End, has announced the next phase of scheduled refurbishment which will begin from February 2026 through to early 2027.
by Stephi Wild - Nov 4, 2025
Eleanor Lang, Chief Executive of Shaftesbury Theatre, the largest independent theatre in the West End, has announced the next phase of scheduled refurbishment which will begin from February 2026 through to early 2027.
Video: Inside Rehearsal For ACORN ANTIQUES THE MUSICAL
by Stephi Wild - Oct 30, 2025
All new footage has been released from the rehearsal room for ACORN ANTIQUES THE MUSICAL. Check out the video and learn more about the upcoming concert production here!
by Stephi Wild - Oct 30, 2025
All new footage has been released from the rehearsal room for ACORN ANTIQUES THE MUSICAL. Check out the video and learn more about the upcoming concert production here!
Full Cast Set For ROAM Concert at the Shaftesbury Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Oct 24, 2025
The producers of ROAM, a new musical, have announced the full cast. ROAM will have a special one-night only concert production at the Shaftesbury Theatre in November.
by Stephi Wild - Oct 24, 2025
The producers of ROAM, a new musical, have announced the full cast. ROAM will have a special one-night only concert production at the Shaftesbury Theatre in November.
Shaftesbury Theatre Frequently Asked Questions
What show is currently in Shaftesbury Theatre?
Shaftesbury Theatre's current show is Mrs. Doubtfire which began performances on 5/12/2023.
What when was Shaftesbury Theatre built?
Shaftesbury Theatre was built in 1911.
How many seats does Shaftesbury Theatre have?
Shaftesbury Theatre has 1300 seats.
What were the longest running shows at Shaftesbury Theatre?
Motown the Musical which ran from 2/11/2016 to 4/20/2019, Hairspray which ran from 10/30/2007 to 3/28/2010, Rock of Ages which ran from 9/27/2011 to 11/2/2013, Mrs. Doubtfire which ran from 5/12/2023 to 4/26/2025 and
What show is next for Shaftesbury Theatre?
Shaftesbury Theatre's next show is Avenue Q which begins performances on 3/20/2026.
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