Home to the smash-hit musical Thriller since 2009, the Lyric Theatre takes the crown as the oldest surviving theatre on the famous Shaftesbury Avenue with its exquisite 18th century building. Originally built behind an original 1767 house front, the theatre was Grade II listed by English Heritage in September 1960. In order to open its iron curtain, the Lyric Theatre has kept many of its original features including the fact it uses water to open the iron curtain. The Lyric Theatre is neighbours with the Apollo Theatre and the Gielgud Theatre which are also located on Shaftesbury Avenue.
As well as hosting the critically acclaimed Michael Jackson tribute show, the Lyric Theatre has also welcomed a myriad of highly successful theatrical productions such as the Little Hut (1950), How the Other Half Lives (1972), Blood Brothers; Pack of Lies (1983), Brief Encounter (2000), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (2001), Death of a Salesman (2005), The Night of the Iguana (2006), Cabaret (2006), Hairspray: The School Musical (2008), Eddie Izzard (2008), and Thriller -Live (2009) amongst many other shows. It has been managed by the Nimax theatre company, which is ownded by producers Nica Burns and Max Weitzenhoffer, since 2005.
Lyric Theatre London Seating plan
The Lyric Theatre is in an old 18th century building, making it a grand and luxurious West End theatre where you can experience some of London's leading plays. The interior of the theatre is decorated in an exquisite Rennasissance design. The overall capaicty of the whole theatre is 967 seats and it is divided into the Stalls, the Dress Circle, the Grand Circle and the Balcony.
Lyric Theatre Seating Plan Map
MAPA NO ENCONTRADO
Seating Plan
With an auditorium of 967 seats, the Lyric Theatre boasts a vast auditorium which is split into four levels, meaning that you can enjoy extremely contrasting views of the stage depending on where you choose to sit in the auditorium.
The Stalls
The lower section of the theatre, the Stalls, is the largest section of the auditorium and boasts 357 seats. The Stalls can be accessed via three steps down, so this area of the theatre is not always suitable for those with limited mobility If you are looking for an intimate theatrical experience, this area of the theatre is one of the most immersive.
The Dress Circle
This section of the theatre is located just above the Stalls and has 149 seats. This is the easiest area of the theatre for customers with limited mobility to reach.
The Grand Circle
The Lyric Theatre's Grand Circle is just above the Dress Circle and has a total of 149 seats, making it a smaller section of the theatre where you can still enjoy some great views of the stage.
The Balcony
As the highest tier in the whole theatre, the Balcony does consist of some of the cheapest tickets in the theatre. The Balcony has a total of 205 seats and is a great place to watch large scale musicals as you can enjoy incredible views from the top.
Seats with best visibility
It is important to note that there are restricted views in certain areas of the theatre due to the placement of pillars and because the theatre curves in a horseshoe shape. Seats at the end of rows means that viewing is restricted from a side-angle view of the stage
- Premium seats :If you are looking for premium seats with the best overall view of the stage, these can be found in the centre of the Stalls in rows F-J. Boasting incredible views of the stage, these seats create a truly immersive experience. For panoramic views of the stage, you can find excellent seats in the centre of the Dress circle.
- Good Value for money seats: If you are looking for reasonably priced seats, then these can be found in Upper Circle or even in the last row of the Stalls, where your viewing is less restricted and you can enjoy an immersive theatre experience.
- Discounted seats: there are many good value theatre tickets in the Lyric Theatre due to the restricted views. These can be found in the Upper Circle and to the sides of the theatre. In the stalls, seats close to the premium seats can be purchased for £20 or less and have a very similar views.
Lyric Theatre contact number: 0330 333 4812
Access number 0330 333 4815 or email access@nimaxtheatres.com
Opening Hours
The Lyric Theatre opens 45 minutes before the start of every performance.
The Lyric Theatre Box Office is open Monday 10am-8pm.
If there is a performance on a Monday, the Lyric Theatre Box Office is open from 10am until the start of the final performance showing on that day.
Getting there
Located on the famous Shaftesbury Avenue, the Lyric Theatre is in the heart of London’s West End and is close to Piccadilly Circus. While you can reach the theatre by both public transport and car, the easiest option is public transport given that the theatre is in central London. The Lyric theatre London address is:
Lyric Theatre,
Shaftesbury Avenue
London
W1D 7ES.
- Tube: the Lyric Theatre is located very close to Piccadilly Circus tube station which serves the Bakerloo and Piccadilly Lines. Alternatively, you could also take the tube to Leicester Square, which is served by the Northern and Piccadilly lines.
- Train: the nearest train station to the Lyric Theatre is Charing Cross Station which is 1 10 to 15 minute walk away. When you leave Charing Cross station cross over the road at the traffic lights outside Charing Cross station and then turn left to go down Duncannon Street. Go straight down Shaftesbury Avenue and you will find the Lyric Theatre on your right hand side.
- Bus: the Lyric Theatre is close to multiple bus lines (Shaftesbury Avenue) 12, 14, 19, 38; (Regent Street) 6, 13, 15, 23, 88, 94, 139, 159, 453 and Night Buses (Shaftesbury Avenue) 14, N19, N38; (Regent Street) 6, 12, 23, 88, 94, 139, 159, 453, N3, N13, N15, N109, N18, N136.
- Car: if you are driving to the Lyric Theatre, then you can benefit from the theatre’s Q-Park’s Theatreland Parking Scheme. You can save 50% off parking when you present your parking ticket at the Lyric Theatre Box Office. The closest car parks to the theatre which are part of this scheme are Masterpark in Chinatown and Newport Place.
Lyric Theatre Accessibility
The Lyric Theatre access line is 0330 333 4815 or email: access@lyric.co.uk. Please call or email prior to you visit if you have any questions on requests with regards to accessing the theatre.
Getting there
The main entrance to the Lyric Theatre is located on Shaftesbury Avenue and it can be accessed via 4 steps up from the street to the foyer. There is also the option of a wheelchair ramp being placed over the steps- please tell the theatre beforehand if you wish to use this ramp.
Alternatively, there is a step-free entrance which will lead you directly to the Dress Circle Boxes where there are wheelchair spaces available.
Customer Assistance
Staff are available throughout your visit to help you enter the theatre and navigate it. Please notify the Lyric Theatre if you require this assistance beforehand. Staff are also happy to help with wheelchair transfers although we recommend that you bring a companion to help you. Wheelchairs can be stored during the performance. Staff are also there to provide an at-seat service for customers who struggle to reach the bars.
Inside the theatre
The best section of the theatre for those with limited mobility is the Dress Circle. There is a level access entrance and there is 1 wheelchair space in Boxes C, D and E. There is also extra legroom in the boxes and in the first row of the Circle.
The other sections of the theatre are much more difficult to access and are not recommended for customers with limited mobility. The Stalls can be accessed via 24 steps down, the Upper Circle 25 Steps from the goyer and the Balcony 60 steps up from the foyer. The Upper Circle and the Balcony have limited legroom apart from the Stalls where extra legroom can be found in seats D1, d20,E1 and E24.
Lyric Theatre History
The Lyric Theatre was originally designed by C.J Philps and was built under producer Henry J leslie as a venue to showcase operetta. The opening performance at the Lyric Theatre was the comic opera of Dorothy which transferred from the Prince of Wales Theatre. It was the second theatre to be built on the famous Shaftesbury Avenue and is now the oldest venue on the street. The foyer and the bars in the theatres were renovated in 1932-33 and the facade was restored in 1994. While it was home to comic operas earlier in its history, it is now known for hosting comedies, musicals and straight dramas. The Lyric Theatre still uses a water pump to operate the iron curtain which was originally taken from the river Thames. Today, the Hydraulic pressure used to operate the iron curtain is provided by an electric pump.
