West End Theatres

[littleflyer]

My favourite theatre is the palladium! I love everything about it, even the smell!

I also love the Savoy, although the random arrangement of the seating colours makes my OCD tick big time

[Oleanna]

I consider Wyndham's to be the West End's best playhouse. It's got everything going for it - perfect size, great seating and comfort thanks to Cam Mack, and that beautiful jewel box auditorium, which is currently looking stunning.

If I had to pick a favourite theatre overall, I would have to say the Novello. I generally love Sprague's theatres, and I find the Novello to be a great house for musicals or plays, and with a beautiful auditorium to boot. One of the only West End theatres with a prominent mirror design too. I find the ridiculously long route you have to take to get to the stalls very charming. I've also seen a lot of shows at the Novello (some many times) so am also able to associate the theatre with those shows. Unfortunately I won't be returning for a while now. Whilst I did visit Mamma Mia when it first transferred, I don't like the show nearly enough to see it again for a long time. Interestingly though, Mamma Mia is the first show I've seen at the Novello to use the pit.

If I had to pick the West End's best mid-size musical house, I would probably say The Palace or Shaftesbury (I'm sure I'd include the Victoria Palace too but I haven't been there) and then just between these and the barns - the wonderful Prince Edward.

I've visited certain theatres which I would gladly not visit again were they not so popular. I've been to the Adelphi more times than any other theatre, and I've never liked it. Having said that, it is currently in the best state its ever been in with recent refurbishments.

I'd also have quite happily seen every successful production at the Savoy in recent years instead play the Shaftesbury. The Savoy is not a bad theatre, but I don't like the way productions are made to look smaller, like they're at the end of a tunnel with that horrible proscenium surround.

And simply to my least favourite theatre, and one which I would have no issues seeing demolished (the only one mind you): The Playhouse.

[Jon]

Mar 27, 2016 1:49:11 GMT Oleanna said:

I consider Wyndham's to be the West End's best playhouse. It's got everything going for it - perfect size, great seating and comfort thanks to Cam Mack, and that beautiful jewel box auditorium, which is currently looking stunning.

If I had to pick a favourite theatre overall, I would have to say the Novello. I generally love Sprague's theatres, and I find the Novello to be a great house for musicals or plays, and with a beautiful auditorium to boot. One of the only West End theatres with a prominent mirror design too. I find the ridiculously long route you have to take to get to the stalls very charming. I've also seen a lot of shows at the Novello (some many times) so am also able to associate the theatre with those shows. Unfortunately I won't be returning for a while now. Whilst I did visit Mamma Mia when it first transferred, I don't like the show nearly enough to see it again for a long time. Interestingly though, Mamma Mia is the first show I've seen at the Novello to use the pit.

If I had to pick the West End's best mid-size musical house, I would probably say The Palace or Shaftesbury (I'm sure I'd include the Victoria Palace too but I haven't been there) and then just between these and the barns - the wonderful Prince Edward.

I've visited certain theatres which I would gladly not visit again were they not so popular. I've been to the Adelphi more times than any other theatre, and I've never liked it. Having said that, it is currently in the best state its ever been in with recent refurbishments.

I'd also have quite happily seen every successful production at the Savoy in recent years instead play the Shaftesbury. The Savoy is not a bad theatre, but I don't like the way productions are made to look smaller, like they're at the end of a tunnel with that horrible proscenium surround.

And simply to my least favourite theatre, and one which I would have no issues seeing demolished (the only one mind you): The Playhouse.

Mamma Mia! seems so downsized at the Novello compared to when it was at the Prince of Wales. I weirdly prefer the 1930s built theatres like the Prince Edward, Adelphi, Prince of Wales compared to the Victorian playhouses. 

I quite like the Playhouse, the only theatre I'd demolish or remodel is the New London. It's so charmless. 

[Deleted]

My favourite theatre has to be the Savoy! The interior and design is so so nice and they have amazing shows there! The shoes recently and in the future are great! Gypsy, Guys and Dolls, Funny Girl and Dreamgirls are all incredible shows!

I also love Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Adelphi, Palladium and Prince Edward.

I agree that the New London (although has good shows there) has no or very little character.

[steve10086]

I like the New London. Although I love the older theatres with great designs, the New London is cool just because it's different to the rest. Wouldn't want many more theatres like it, but being kinda unique makes it special.

[Deleted]

Not a West End Theatre, but I only noticed recently the memorials inside and outside the Young Vic to the 54 people who died when the bakery which used to be on the site of the theatre was bombed during World War 2. Today is the 75th anniversary of this which the Young Vic have marked on their blog

This memorial is next to the door as you go in to the auditorium at ground level.

And this is on the side of the building: