The Savoy Theatre London was the first public building in the world to be lit throughout by electricity! The Theatre first opened its doors as ‘The Savoy’ on the 10th of October 1881, with a production of Gilbert and Sullivan's ‘Patience or Bunthorne’s Bride’. The Savoy Theatre was purpose-built as the showcase for Gilbert & Sullivan comic operas and the partnership subsequently becoming known as the ‘Savoy Operas’. Built by Richard D’Oyly Carte, the theatre has undergone several renovations, and although a proposal to build a new theatre was filed in the late 20th-century style, it was overruled and decided to restore the building as faithfully as possible to the 1929 designs.
The reopened theatre was the venue for the World Chess Championship in 1993, won by Garry Kasparov. Still in use to this day, The Savoy Theatre, as with the Savoy Hotel group, is now solely owned by Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) and continues to show revivals and modern musicals. Some of its major productions include The Fiddler on the Roof, The Rat Pack: Live from Las Vegas, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Legally Blonde.
Venue Details
Address: Savoy Court, Strand, London WC2R 0ET, UK
Opened: 1881
Seating Capacity: 1128
Stalls : 519
Dress Circle : 347
Upper Circle: 262
Seating Chart
Check out the Savoy Theatre Seating Plan here.
Now Playing At The Savoy Theatre London
Dreamgirls
“Fantastically entertaining ride on a showbiz rollercoaster”
- The Guardian
Based on the 1981 Broadway musical, this powerful and award-winning musical tells the story of a young female singing trio from Chicago, Illinois, called "The Dreamettes", who become music superstars. It was even adapted into a motion picture in 2006, starring Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé, Eddie Murphy, and Jennifer Hudson. Directed by Casey Nicholaw and produced by Michael Bennett, this tale of love, ambition and romance was nominated for five Laurence Olivier Awards and five Whatsonstage awards, of which it won two Best Actress in a Musical awards and one Best Supporting Actor in a Musical. The musical is also noted for its many controversial similarities to the story of The Supremes, the Motown premier act that catapulted Diana Ross to fame.
The Story
Set in the mid 1960s, The Dreamettes, a talented black girl singing group, is comprised of lead Effie White, and her backup singers Deena Jones and Lorrell Robinson, who are struggling to make a name for themselves. At a local talent competition, they are approached by Curtis Taylor Jr., a used car salesman who wants to break into the music business on the management side. He offers them a job singing backup for James "Thunder" Early, a renowned local black performer who unfortunately has a rather shady reputation. Curtis and Effie eventually develop a romantic relationship, but also begin to have different points of view on how their business should proceed. What with the change of mainstream music to disco and pop, how will the group decide where their loyalties lie? Watch and find out as this incredible tale of ambition and romance unfurls.
Cast
Marisha Wallace, Moya Angela, and Karen Mav as Effie White
Brennyn Lark as Deena Jones
Asmeret Ghebremichael as Lorell Robinson
Joe Aaron Reid as Curtis Taylor Jr.
Show Timings
Mon - Sat: 7:30 PM
Wed & Sat: 2:30 PM
Running Time
2 hours and 40 minutes, with one intermission
Practical Information
Disabled Access
It is advised that patrons with disabilities reach the theatre half an hour before the show starts in order to get seated comfortably. The main entrance to the theatre is on Strand on Savoy Court. It has step-free access to the foyer and the Box Office. A step-free entrance with direct access to the Dress Circle is on Carting Lane.
Please note that there is no lift inside the theatre.
The Stalls are 75 steps up from the foyer, but once you're in, the seats can be accessed via a gentle slope. The Dress Circle has two wheelchair spaces. Transfer seating is available, but please note that all other access seats will be accessed through two steps.
The Savoy Theatre is equipped with an infrared system and headset loan for those with hearing difficulties.
Available Facilities
Bar: The Savoy Theatre has four bars: the Stalls, Dress and Grand Circle bars, as well as the Mezzanine bar. There is no level access to any of the bars, although drinks can be brought to the seats - please ask upon arrival.
Cloakroom: There is a limited cloakroom at the theater. Large items can be checked in for £1 each.
Guide Dogs: Guide dogs are welcome at the theatre and can either stay with their owner throughout the show or be looked after by one of the theatre managers.
Toilets: There are male and female toilets on each level of the theater. Access toilets are on the Dress Circle level.
Handy Tips
- The Savoy Theatre is air conditioned, and therefore can get chilly – be sure to dress accordingly!
- There is no level acess to any of the bars, but drinks can be brought to the seats.
Getting There
Tube: Embankment (Circle, District, Northern and Bakerloo lines), Temple (Circle and District lines), Charing Cross (Northern and Bakerloo lines).
Bus: 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, 68, 91, 171, 176, 188, and RV1
Overground: Charing Cross Station
Restaurants near Savoy Theatre
1. Savoy Grill: Opened in 1889, this historic diner that has hosted the likes of Oscar Wilde, Charlie Chaplin, and Frank Sinatra. It is now owned by Gordon Ramsay, ensuring that your dining experience is absolutely breathtaking.
2. Frog by Adam Handling – Visit this luxurious restaurant by MasterChef: The Professionals finalist Adam Handling, and experience the five or eight-course tasting menu with butter whipped with chicken fat, topped with crispy chicken skin and served with sourdough, and razor clams shrouded in dry ice.
3. Smith and Wollensky: Located in the trendy art-deco Adelphi Building, this fiercely American restaurant serves truffled mac 'n' cheese, bone-in rib-eye and sirloin steaks, eggs with braised short rib, smoked bacon hash and the protein-packed sirloin steak and fried eggs, alongside a selection of nine bespoke Bloody Marys.
4. Joe Allen: A sister restaurant to the original New York site, this American-style restaurant is the perfect place to soak up the pre- and post-theatre atmosphere, or for a boozy weekend brunch with friends.
5. Ping Pong Covent Garden: This dimsum hotspot is the perfect place for celebration after a nice outing at the theatre - the 60-strong, ‘pick and tick’ disposable menu even has boxes so you can alert staff to a celebration or the need for privacy.
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