Shaftesbury Theatre

Address:
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
5/12/2023 - Mrs. Doubtfire (2023) Click Here to Buy Tickets
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)
- Kismet (1978)
- Laughing Eyes (1919)
- Lautrec (2000)
- Memphis (2014)
- Motown the Musical (unknown)
- My Sister and I (1931)


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 2/16/2025 and They're Playing Our Song which ran from 10/1/1980 to 5/8/1982,


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