Prince Edward Theatre
Old Compton Street , London , W1V 6HS

Nearest underground:
Leicester Square (Piccadilly Line, Northern Line)

Nearest rail:
Charing Cross

The motley past of the Prince Edward Theatre has seen its incarnation in many guises; as a trade show cinema, cabaret-restaurant, servicemen’s club and as the home of Cinerama. It opened in 1930, designed to able to host revues, musical theatre and films with ease. Six years later, it was converted into a highly popular cabaret restaurant, The London Casino where diners came to be entertained by lavish productions like Folies Parisiennes. However the arrival of the war signalled its end and it was transformed into the Queensbury All-Services Club. After a brief period when the theatre resumed showings of musicals and revues, yet another use was found for it and it was converted for Cinerama in 1954.

Now pantomimes and musicals firmly master the stage at the Prince Edward, a trend trumpeted by Evita (1978), which ran for a triumphant eight years. Cole Porter’s Broadway hit Anything Goes (1989) was revived and Chess (1986) too brought in the crowds. Mamma Mia! was a tremendous crowd-pleaser, and ran here for over five years until relocating at the nearby Prince of Wales.

What's on at Prince Edward Theatre

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