Prince Edward Theatre

London’s Prince Edward Theatre was designed by Edward A. Stone in 1928 and first opened its doors in 1930. The historic space plays a significant role in the city’s iconic West End, though it has suffered a problematic past, changing hands several times throughout the years. By 1935, the space had been converted from theatre to a hugely successful dance and cabaret hall named ‘London Casino’. By 1941 however, it became severely damaged during the air raids of World War II. In 1954, the theatre was adapted into a cinema, with much of the interior changing to accommodate large projectors and a curved cinematic screen. Iconic films, including A Space Odyssey (1968) and Ben-Hur (1969), were shown in the space, though demand for cinema fell in the 1970s, with the building being converted back into a theatre in 1978. Musical theatre has been favoured here since Evita first ran in 1978. Throughout early 2019 audiences can catch the Prince Edward’s critically acclaimed production of Aladdin, which has been running since June 2016. Mary Poppins launches in Autumn 2019 and promises to be of paralleled success. Situated on Old Compton Street, just north of Leicester Square, the Prince Edward is an ideal choice for visitors looking to explore the legendary West End and its cultural impact on the city. With an architectural exterior which replicates the style of an Italian palace, the appearance of the theatre has remained unchanged since its inception over ninety years ago. Audiences are greeted by an exuberant, warm and welcoming art-deco foyer, which is evocative of the 1930’s era.