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Gillian Lynne Theatre London

About the Gillian Lynne Theatre

The Gillian Lynne Theatre, previously known as the New London Theatre, opened in 1973 and was designed by architect Paul Tvrtkovic. An entertainment building, of one kind or another, has been situated on the site of the theatre since Elizabethan times. It is known that famed comic actress Nell Gwynn performed regularly on the stage of the Great Mogul Tavern in the late 17th Century.

The modern theatre forms part of a large complex of buildings including shops, flats, restaurants and a car park. It is renowned for having a third of the entire auditorium on a large revolve, including several rows of seats in the front stalls. This was used to great acclaim when Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Cats opened in 1981. The musical remains the venue's longest-running production where it ran for over 20 years.

More recently, the theatre housed War Horse from 2009-2016 and Andrew Lloyd Webber's smash-hit School of Rock: The Musical. In May 2018, the theatre was renamed the Gillian Lynne Theatre in honour of the legendary choreographer. The name change marks the first West End theatre to be named after a non-royal woman.

Frequently Asked Questions

The box office is open from 12pm on performance days from Monday-Saturday, and 10am-6pm on Sundays and tickets are available to be collected or purchased on the day of your performance. Patrons should try to arrive as early as possible to avoid queues and allow enough time to enter the auditorium. Please ensure you bring your confirmation email and a form of ID.
The theatre opens around 45 minutes before the show starts.
The theatre has two bars (Winter Garden Bar and Middlesex Bar) both in the foyer area of the venue. Patrons can purchase a range of alcoholic and soft drinks, snacks, confectionery and ice creams.
Cloakroom facilities are available for ticket holders to store larger items during the show. There is a £1 per item charge.
Yes, the theatre is fully air-conditioned.
With the bustling Covent Garden just a short walk away from the theatre, patrons have a wide range of choices to grab a bite to eat before the show. Italian restaurant BungaTINI is a popular choice due to its pre-theatre menu and proximity to the theatre. Alternatively, why not try ramen at Shoryu Covent Garden, this authentic Japanese restaurant is a five-minute walk from the theatre.
The Travelodge Covent Garden is situated opposite the theatre and is a great choice for those on a budget, but looking to stay in a central location. If you're looking to make your theatre trip extra special, try the Waldorf Hilton, which is a 10-minute walk away and offers world-class facilities.
The box office can be contacted via email at customer.relations@lwtheatres.co.uk.
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