Venue Information
The Adelphi Theatre first opened in 1806 as the Sans Pareil, founded by John Scott to showcase the talents of his daughter Jane Scott, a pioneering actor-playwright. Renamed the Adelphi in 1819, it became infamous for melodramas and stage adaptations of Dickens, later dubbed the 'Adelphi Screamers'. The theatre you see today is the fourth structure on the site, extensively redesigned in 1930 by architect Ernest Schaufelberg in a striking Art Deco style, characterised by its bold geometry and chrome-accented interiors. It seats approximately 1,500 audience members and is Grade II listed for its architectural and historic significance.
Over the years, the Adelphi has hosted a rich variety of performances. The mid-19th century saw French operettas and English comic opera (including Sullivan's first opera, Cox and Box, in 1867), followed by a golden age of musical comedies in the early 1900s (The Earl and the Girl, The Quaker Girl, Mr. Cinders). Decades later, it presented hits like Me and My Girl and Chicago (which became its longest-running American musical) as well as landmark performances like Evita, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Sweeney Todd, and Sunset Boulevard under Andrew Lloyd Webber's stewardship.
Beyond its shows, the Adelphi holds many secrets. In 1897, actor William Terriss was tragically murdered at the stage door, leading many to believe his ghost still haunts both the theatre and nearby Covent Garden station. The theatre's rear elevation still retains parts of its 19th-century structures, including the 1868 'Royal Entrance'. The theatre narrowly escaped conversion into a supermarket in the 1950s and was rescued again from demolition in the 1960s thanks to the Save London Theatres campaign.
Map
Transport
By Train
The nearest mainline train station is Charing Cross Station and is also reachable on the Tube on the Bakerloo and Northern lines. The theatre can also be accessed via Covent Garden (Piccadilly line) & Embankment (Northern line, Bakerloo line, District line, Circle line)
By Bus
The nearest bus lines are 6, 9, 11,13, 15, 23, 77A, 91, 139 & 176.
Parking
If driving, the nearest car park is Covent Garden Q Park.
Accessibility
Step-free information
Step free access is available into the Stalls via the main entrance on The Strand. There is a slight slope from the back of the Stalls to the front.
Wheelchair Access
There are 2 wheelchair spaces in row X24 and X25 of the Stalls with one companion seat alongside each wheelchair user. Wheelchair transfers are available to any end-of-row seat in the Stalls.
Hearing Systems
An Infra-Red audio enhancement system is available for deaf or hearing-impaired patrons. Please note, there is no induction loop system in the auditorium for hearing aid users. There is an induction loop at the Box Office to assist hearing aid users when booking and collecting tickets.
Guide Dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome at the Adelphi Theatre, and can either be taken into the auditorium or looked after during the performance.
General Access Info
For all access bookings, please call 020 7087 7966 or email access@adelphitheatre.co.uk.
