Vaudeville

About the Vaudeville

The Vaudeville opened on The Strand in 1870 and true to its name became the home of vaudeville shows and musical reviews. It still houses rare thunder-drum and lightening sheets, together with some early stage mechanisms.

The original building had three galleries and a horseshoe-shaped seating area over a pit but facilities were very limited. In 1889 the theatre and surrounding buildings were renovated, with the new foyer and four storey frontage still visible today. In 1926, the Vaudeville’s auditorium was changed to the current rectangular shape and a new dressing room block was added.

Recent successes at the Vaudeville include ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ (1966) starring Sybil Thorndike and Lewis Casson, Pauline Collins appeared as ‘Shirley Valentine’ in 1988 and finally ‘Stomp’ which enjoyed a five year run.

OPENED: 23rd February 1926
LISTED: Grade II
SEATS: 690 on 3 levels
ARCHITECT: Robert Atkins