The Duchess Theatre
Catherine Street, off The Aldwych, London, WC2B 5LA

Nearest underground:
Covent Garden (Piccadilly Line)

Nearest rail:
Charing Cross

One of London’s smallest theatres, with fewer than 500 seats, the Duchess is said to have been created as the result of a bet: the wager was that the site was too small to allow the construction of a theatre! In 1929 the wager was settled and the theatre opened with Tunnel Trench, starring the great Emlyn Williams. Small it may be, but its place in the litany of London’s more successful productions is impressive. Following the abolition of theatre censorship by the Lord Chamberlain in 1968, London saw a rash of daring productions, and the Duchess was in the forefront of the revolution. The Dirtiest Show in Town (1971) ran for over two years; and then from 1974 to 1980 full frontal nudity, male and female, was presented for more than 3,900 performances of the musical Oh Calcutta.

The unusual and interesting Tudor frontage belies a rather unprepossessing auditorium. However, the play’s the thing, and the Duchess has certainly had its share of successes. It is not one of London’s grandest theatres, but it is comfortable and very welcoming; and the stalls bar provides one of the best cups of coffee to be found in London.

What's on at Duchess Theatre

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