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Fortune_Theatre_London_aiu8zr

Fortune Theatre

More Information

Access

Sound Amplification:

Induction Loop & Sennheiser Infrared

Toilets:

Mens and Womens throughout. There is no accessible toilet. The private toilet next to Box A is the most accessible.

Guide Dogs Policy:

Access dogs are not allowed inside the auditorium. Staff can also dog-sit, returning them to the owner during the interval and at the end of the performance.

Wheelchairs:

No spaces for wheelchair users who have to stay in their chairs. The person in a wheelchair must be able to negotiate a few stairs as there is no access into the theatre for wheelchairs. Box A has a side entrance from Crown Court with one step down into the anteroom, and three shallow steps with a rail into the box, also a toilet in the ante room. Through the side EXIT door on Crown Court, there are 5 steps to the main Dress Circle.

Access from Street to Foyer:

There is step-free access to the Fortune Theatre main entrance, which is located on Russell Street. The Box Office is situated on the right as you enter the theatre Foyer.

Access From Theatre Foyer To Seat:

21 to Stalls, 7 to Dress Circle, 40 to Upper Circle.

Level Access:

Wheelchair users cannot be accommodated, but transfers are available.

Stairs/Lift/Ramp Available:

No

Contact

Contact the venue:

0844 871 7626 (Calls cost 7p per min plus your telephone company's network access charge)

Your Visit

Security Information:

Security note: For your comfort and security, you may be subject to additional checks on your visit to London theatres. Please contact the venue for more information.

Bar:

3 licensed bars. Stalls bar 21 steps down from foyer with moveable seats, mezzanine bar 10 steps up from the Dress Circle and another at Upper Circle level. Drinks brought to disabled customers in plastic cups.

Air Conditioned:

Yes

Accepts Theatre Tokens:

Yes

History

The Fortune Theatre, once so succinctly described as the ‘most intimate of theatres,’ first opened to the public on Saturday 8 November 1924 and its original charm has not since waned. Located near Covent Garden, it is thought to be the second smallest theatre in the West End with its capacity of 432 spread over three levels. Above the door of the entrance to the theatre stands a famous statue of Terpsichore, one of the Muses of Greek mythology.

Built on the site of the Old Albion Tavern, it was the first London theatre to be built after World War I. During the Second World War, the theatre was used as the venue for ENSA, the concert party corps of the Forces.

The Fortune has seen many celebrated actors and actresses perform on its stage. Amongst the impressive roll call are Dame Judi Dench, Dirk Bogarde, and Maureen Lipman. The venue was also home to the ground-breaking revue from Cambridge, Beyond The Fringe, with the original line-up of Alan Bennett, Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, and Jonathan Miller.

The Fortune is most closely associated, of course, with its current production, The Woman In Black, which has become a West End legend. This enigmatic and brilliant play first took up residence at The Fortune in 1989. Interestingly, the show was performed entirely in Japanese for five days in September 2008. This one-off run of performances celebrated the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Japan.

The theatre and the show celebrated 5,000 performances in July 2001 with a huge party, which was held in the Stalls Bar and the auditorium – though it’s difficult to say whether any ghosts were in attendance!