Lyric Theatre London
Lyric Theatre Tickets
About the Lyric Theatre
The Lyric Theatre is the oldest surviving theatre on the famous Shaftesbury Avenue and was designed by the architect C. J. Phipps in an ornate Renaissance design. The theatre opened in 1888, a decade which saw a London theatre building boom with 12 new theatres being built. The first production at the Lyric was a transfer of the light comic opera Dorothy, which was already a hit at the nearby Prince of Wales Theatre and helped to finance the building of the Lyric.
Over the year's many successful musicals and plays have been staged at the Lyric Theatre, including Alan Ayckbourn's How the Other Half Loves in 1970, the London premiere of the musical Blood Brothers in 1983, and a 2007 revival of Cabaret starring James Dreyfuss and Julian Clary.
The theatre was the home of the hugely successful Michael Jackson tribute show Thriller Live, which despite being panned by critics played at the Lyric for over 10 years before closing in early 2020. The show became one of the longest-running productions in West End history, playing over 4,500 performances.
Frequently Asked Questions
The box office is open from 10am - 6pm on Monday and 10am - 8pm on Tuesday-Saturday for in-person bookings and collection. If there are Sunday performances, the box office will open from 10am until the final performance commences. We advise bringing your confirmation email and card you booked with when collecting tickets.
The venue opens 45 minutes before the show starts. The bars and auditorium should be open at the same time. With limited standing-space in the venue, it is recommended that you arrive early, grab yourself a drink and take your seat soon after arriving. The ornate interior of the auditorium with its spectacular chandelier, make it a very pleasant space to sit while waiting for the show to begin.
There are three bars in the theatre, on the Stalls, Dress Circle and Upper Circle levels. These serve wines, beers, spirits, soft drinks and snacks, such as nuts, crisps and chocolate. It is recommended that you order interval drinks before the performance to avoid queues during the interval.
A small cloakroom is available for ticket holders to store larger items during the show. There is a £1 charge per item stored and access is on a first-come, first-served basis. If possible, it is best to avoid bringing large bags and suitcases to the venue and carry only necessary items with you.
The theatre is situated in Soho, where there is an abundance of restaurants, cafes, street food stalls and pubs to eat dinner before or after the show. Try some artisinal Italian cuisine at Bocca di Luppo, which is less than a five-minute walk from the theatre. Alternatively, sample a different take on Japanese bar or "izakaya" food at Shackfuyu, which is also a five-minute walk away.
The Hotel Café Royal on Regent Street is a good choice for those visiting the theatre. This five-star hotel is perfect if you're looking to make your theatre visit extra special. Alternatively, for those on a tighter budget, the Premier Inn in Leicester Square is just a few minutes' walk away.
The box office can be contacted on 0330 333 4815. For further contact information, visit thelyrictheatre.co.uk.
