Lyceum Theatre
Wellington Street , London , WC2E 7DA

Nearest underground:
Temple (District Line, Circle Line) Covent Garden (Piccadilly Line) Charing Cross (Northern Line, Bakerloo Line)

Nearest rail:
Waterloo, Charing Cross

Although at several times in its life the existence of the Lyceum has been threatened, it has managed to survive for well over two centuries. Its statuesque edifice stands almost on the Strand , at the mouth of Waterloo bridge. The impressive portico of Corinthian columns topped with an embellished pediment was designed by Samuel Beazley and dates back to 1834, the original 1772 building having been demolished. The next edifice was noted for being the first theatre in London to be lit by gas lamps and had the distinction of premiering Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutti in 1828.

Over the ensuing years the theatre endured demolition and being destroyed by fire several times, but its planned ignominious extinction – to become a roundabout – was averted by the arrival of World War II. In 1945 it became a dancehall, and there followed a successful period when it became one of London ’s leading nightclubs. Some of the biggest acts in popular music have appeared here, such as U2, the Cure, the Who and Bob Marley. Unfortunately in 1985 it was boarded up for almost a decade until it was again rescued, refurbished and reopened by the HRH The Prince of Wales. Since then it has enjoyed hugely successful runs of Jesus Christ Superstar (1996) and The Lion King (1999).

What's on at Lyceum Theatre

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