Phoenix Theatre

About the Phoenix Theatre

Blood Brothers is the longest-running show at the Phoenix Theatre, transferring from the Albery Theatre in 1991. The Phoenix Theatre opened in 1930 with the premiere of Noel Coward’s ‘Private Lives’ which he also starred in, alongside Laurence Olivier and Adrienne Allen.

Noel Coward’s plays soon became so associated with the Phoenix Theatre that the newly refurbished foyer bar was renamed the Noel Coward Bar in 1969.

Notable plays include John Gielgud’s ‘Love for Love’, Terence Rattigan’s ‘The Browning Version’ and a musical version of Chaucer’s ‘The Canterbury Tales’ which ran for more than 2000 performances.

The Phoenix may have a utilitarian exterior but the Italianate décor shows off golden engraves, red seats, carpets and curtains with decorated ceilings and sculpted wooden doors. Above the boxes are panels by Vladimir Polunin after Tintoretto, Titian and Giorgione.

OPENED: 24th September 1930
LISTED: Grade II
SEATS: 1,012 on 3 levels
ARCHITECT: Sir Giles Gilbert, Berties Crewe and Cecil Masey