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Venue Information
The New London is a very modern theatre with simple furnishings, despite its site having an overwhelming theatrical legacy. Its adjustable interior has allowed it to welcome some more unusual and experimental performances.
Travel
Nearest Tube Station:
Covent Garden
Tube Lines:
Piccadilly
Directions From Tube:
(5mins) Go right on Long Acre; turn left at Drury Lane and you’ll see the theatre 100 metres away on a corner.
Bus Numbers:
(High Holborn) 134, 242; (Kingsway) 1, 59, 68, 91, 168, 171, 188, 243, 521, X68
Night Bus Numbers:
(High Holborn) 242, N68, N207; (Kingsway) 188, 243, N1, N91, N171
Nearest Rail Station:
King's Cross St Pancras
Nearest Car Park:
Drury Lane, Parker Street (1min)
New London Theatre
166 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5PW
History
As an entertainment venue dating back to the 17th century, the New London Theatre isn’t as new as its name suggests. Back then it was a tavern, evolving into ‘The Mogul Saloon’ in the mid-19th century followed by the ‘Middlesex Music Hall’ where performances were hosted for 500 people – only half of what it holds today.
Its popularity clearly caught the eye of investors, who expanded the building into a variety venue for a few years, before it was transformed yet again into The Winter Garden Theatre in 1919, redecorated and with the original Mogul saloon incorporated as the stalls bar. This theatre was successful for several years before being sold off and demolished. It was only 13 years later that a new building (today’s New London Theatre) was put in its place and opened as a theatre with a Peter Ustinov play The Unknown Soldier and His Wife.
After a few short seasons and a phase as a television studio in the late ‘70s, the Andrew Lloyd Webber feline frenzy Cats stuck its claws into the New London for 21 years of purr-formances, making it the longest running West End musical until 2006. The opportunity was taken to renovate it with new features as “a theatre for the future”, and it reopened in 2003 with brand new facilities to host a revival of Joseph, the unique comedy/music/art show The Blue Man Group and RSC productions starring Ian McKellen.
Inside Track
The New London Theatre was home to the record-breaking Andrew Lloyd-Webber musical Cats for 21 years. When it closed in 2002, it was the longest-running musical ever in the West End – only to have its record broken four years later by Les Misérables.
The theatre isn’t just a venue for musicals and plays – it’s hosted key events such as the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year, Masters snooker and the competition to choose the UK’s entry to the Eurovision Song Contest.
Although rock band Queen are usually associated with the Dominion Theatre, home of their musical We Will Rock You, they shot the video for ‘We Are the Champions’ in the New London.
The New London is owned by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Theatres.
Seat Plan
Nearest Restaurants
Make the most of your trip on the town with a delicious meal before the show. Check out our top recommendations below. All these restaurants are just a stone’s throw away from your theatre. So you can relax before enjoying a slice of world class entertainment. Simply add your theatre tickets to your basket and select the restaurant of your choice.
