Theatre Royal Haymarket

Theatre Royal Haymarket is one of the oldest operating theatres in the capital of Great Britain. Today, it is a West End theatre, one of the main centres of dramatic art in London. In this article, we will tell you about its history, events, and how to get to this cultural venue.

History

The history of the TRH began in 1720, when the first theatre, a modestly sized venue, opened on Haymarket, a street in the city centre. It was named the Little Theatre in the Hay.

The theatre's 300-year history has seen several dramatic moments: at various times, it has been closed due to the adoption of censorship laws, changed location, been rebuilt and refurbished. Since 1821, the Haymarket Theatre has been located in its current building, designed by architect John Nash, which is recognised as a Grade I listed building.

The Theatre Royal Haymarket has a capacity of 888 seats. By comparison, Birmingham Town Hall, originally designed as a concert hall for symphonic music, has 1,900 seats.

In the 19th century, Haymarket became famous for its classical comedies and dramas, and in the 19th and 20th centuries, it attracted the attention of such famous writers as Oscar Wilde — his plays A Woman of No Importance and An Ideal Husband were first staged here.

In the 20th and 21st centuries, the theatre continued to operate, undergoing renovations and attracting world-famous stars: from Ralph Fiennes and Ian McKellen to Patrick Stewart, all of whom have performed on its stage. The Royal Haymarket Theatre has become an important part of London's cultural life.

Compared to the famous Royal Albert Hall, it is not as large, but it is renowned for its cosier atmosphere. Audiences at the Haymarket Theatre are much closer to the stage.

Events at the Theatre Royal Haymarket

The Theatre Royal Haymarket has long ceased to be just an old building — it is an active stage where both classic plays and contemporary productions, musical shows and family performances are staged. Here are some of the most popular events that have taken place on its stage over the years:

1. Only Fools and Horses The Musical — one of the longest-running musicals in the theatre's history. Over 1,000 performances were given during the season, the last of which took place in April 2023.
2. Fatal Attraction — a dramatic production based on the famous film, which attracted a wide audience.
3. One Man, Two Guvnors — an energetic comedy that enjoyed success in 2012–2014.
4. The Lion in Winter, The Tempest, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead — significant classical plays staged with the participation of famous artists.

The renowned Craig Revel Horwood has participated in productions and choreography on British theatre stages, including the West End and Theatre Royal Haymarket.

Over the years, the Haymarket Theatre has hosted performances featuring Dominic West, Brian Cox, Ben Whishaw and other actors who have shone in contemporary productions. It also hosts family shows, such as Peppa Pig's Big Family Show! The theatre has become a venue for audiences of all ages.

The Theatre Royal Haymarket has remained the centre of London's theatre life for many years, continuing to delight audiences with new plays and musical projects, combining tradition and modernity. Elizabeth II herself once watched performances here. The Theatre Royal Haymarket often hosts productions related to the lives of members of the British royal family, such as Prince William and Charles.

Where is the Theatre Royal Haymarket located?

The Theatre Royal Haymarket is located in the heart of London, in the famous West End district, home to the city's best cultural institutions and the capital's theatre scene.

The theatre's address is 18 Suffolk Street, Haymarket, London SW1Y 4HT. It is within walking distance of such famous city landmarks as Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square.

The Haymarket area is a historic street in the centre of Westminster, which has been a hub of theatre and entertainment for centuries. There are many cafés, restaurants, other theatres and galleries nearby, and the Piccadilly Circus underground station and bus stops make it easy to get to for both tourists and Londoners.

Theatre Royal Haymarket seating plan

The Theatre Royal Haymarket is a classic London theatre with four levels of seating, arranged in ascending order:

Stalls — the lower level, closest to the stage.

Royal Circle — the first balcony, offering excellent views of the performance.

Upper Circle is the second balcony, slightly further away and higher up, but also with a good view. Sometimes the view can be a little more sideways.

Gallery is the top tier, furthest from the stage and with less comfortable seats. Tickets here are the cheapest.

All rows in the theatre are curved in a semicircle around the stage, so the seats in the centre provide a more direct view than those on the sides. Since the theatre is narrow and deep, even the back rows can offer a good view — if you are sitting slightly higher than the others.

How to get to the Theatre Royal Haymarket?

The Theatre Royal Haymarket is easily accessible by various means of transport thanks to its excellent transport links.

Underground

This is the most convenient way to get to the theatre, especially from central London. Piccadilly Circus (Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines) is approximately a 3-5 minute walk away.

Charing Cross (Bakerloo and Northern lines) is a 7-minute walk via Trafalgar Square, and Leicester Square (Piccadilly and Northern lines) is a 6-minute walk.

Train

The nearest major railway station to the theatre is Charing Cross. It is used by people arriving in London from other cities in Great Britain. It is approximately a 7-minute walk from Charing Cross to the Theatre Royal Haymarket.

Bus

Buses stop near the theatre. Routes 13, 15, 23, 88, 139 and 453 go to Trafalgar Square. Routes 6, 13, 15, 23, 139, 159, and 453 go to the Haymarket stop.

The bus may be slower than the underground, but it allows you to see central London on your way to the show.

By car

The theatre is located in the Congestion Charge zone, so you will have to pay a fee to drive into central London on weekdays in the morning and afternoon. There are car parks nearby, such as Q-Park Trafalgar Square, where you can leave your car, but most residents and visitors prefer public transport due to restrictions and parking costs.

Information for visitors

Before visiting the Theatre Royal Haymarket, it is worth checking its opening hours and finding out what hotels and restaurants are nearby.

Opening hours

The theatre box office is open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 22:00, and Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 to 22:30. These are the approximate opening hours for ticket sales and enquiries — the schedule of performances and shows may vary depending on the programme. Before the start of the performance, the theatre usually opens its doors about 45 minutes early so that audience members can calmly enter the auditorium, take their seats and purchase drinks.

Dress Code

There is no strict dress code at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. You can attend in casual clothing, but it is better to choose formal attire. The only thing that is usually recommended to avoid is bulky headwear, which can obstruct the view of other audience members.

Hotels near Theatre Royal Haymarket

The West End area around Theatre Royal Haymarket is home to many excellent hotels to suit all tastes, from stylish boutiques to luxurious five-star establishments:

1. Haymarket Hotel, Firmdale Hotels — located right next to the theatre, offering stylish and cosy rooms.
2. Sofitel London St James is an elite hotel in a historic style.
3. The Clermont London, Charing Cross has a very high rating and a convenient location.
4. Radisson Blu Hotel, London Leicester Square is located a little further away, but is also within walking distance.
5. Thistle Piccadilly Hotel and hub by Premier Inn London Covent Garden are more affordable options for a short stay.

Restaurants near the Theatre Royal Haymarket

In the West End around the theatre, you will find many places where you can enjoy a delicious dinner before or after the show. Here is a short list of establishments worth checking out:

1. Leicester Square Kitchen — a popular restaurant with a well-thought-out menu and rave reviews.
2. Whitcomb's — a cosy place, ideal for lunch or dinner.
3. Gouqi London — a restaurant offering modern cuisine, located in the city centre.
4. The Stage — a restaurant and pub popular with theatregoers.

There are also many cafes, steakhouses, Asian restaurants and cosy bars in the vicinity of the theatre. The choice is huge and most establishments are open until late in the evening.

Parking

There is car parking nearby, but there are a few things to consider: the nearest car parks are Q-Park Leicester Square or Whitcomb Street.

Please note that central London is in the Congestion Charge zone, where a fee is charged for entering the city centre on weekdays, which is paid separately. If you plan to come to the theatre by car, it is best to check parking options in advance and reserve a space online — this is often cheaper and more convenient.

Contact details and postcode

Address: Theatre Royal Haymarket,

18 Suffolk Street, London SW1Y 4HT, United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 20 7930 8800

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