Phoenix Theatre

How to book (Phone)

0333 009 5399

Guide dogs

Guide dogs are allowed into the theatre area but are recommended to be cared for by venue staff outside of the auditorium, due to noise levels during the show.

Wheelchairs

For patrons with limited mobility who need stair-free access and wheelchair users wishing to remain in their wheelchair or transfer into a theatre seat, Dress Circle Row K has stair-free access via a lift from Charing Cross Road. Dress Circle K1-2, 13-14, 15-16 and 27-28 may be removed to accommodate a single space for a wheelchair user remaining in their wheelchair. These also have the potential to be swapped for lose seats on advance request. An essential companion can be seated next to the space in K3, 12, 17 or 26. The maximum wheelchair dimensions the lift can accommodate is 90com Wide x 140cm Long, with a max. Weight of 400kg. Please check the dimensions of your chair/scooter prior to booking. For wheelchair users wishing to transfer to an auditorium seat, we can arrange for seats to be kept in in K1, 14, 15 or 28 on the end of the row, with the essential companion seated next to them in K2, 13, 16 or 27. These seats can also be used for patrons who are not wheelchair users, but still require stair-free access, as can any seat in Row K of the Dress Circle. Wheelchair users should book direct via the venue/ATG Tickets to ensure spaces are available and seats are laid out correctly. If it is comfortable to navigate two to four stairs, seats in Dress Circle J and H are also recommended, when taking the lift from the Charing Cross Foyer. There is an increase of two shallow stairs down (with a handrail) per row.

Sound amplification

Mobile Connect with own device and headphones or Radio Headsets/Hearing Loop.

Audio description

Show dependent, please check with venue.

Street to foyer

1 shallow step to Phoenix Street Foyer No steps to Charing Cross Road Foyer

Foyer to seat

13 Steps to Stalls, 21 to Dress Circle (without lift), 51 to Upper Circle

Bars

There are bars on all levels. Plushy bar is 4 steps down from the Stalls. Dress Circle bar is 3 steps up from the Dress Circle. Upper Circle bar is 8 steps down from the Upper Circle. Patrons must negotiate stairs to access any of the bars. If prearranged with front of house drinks can be left in the Royal Room for access patrons using the Box.

Toilets

Mens and Womens throughout. Adapted toilet is on Dress Circle level in the Royal Room. There are no steps to this toilet from Box C or Row A Dress Circle, but there are 2 slightly awkward turns.

Parking

50% off parking with Q-Park

Air conditioning

Yes

Accepts Theatre Tokens

Yes

The Phoenix Theatre opened in 1930 with the premiere of Noel Coward’s Private Lives featuring Coward himself in the cast, along with Gertrude Lawrence, Adrienne Allen and a young Laurence Olivier. Coward formed a strong association with The Phoenix returning with Gertrude Lawrence as his co-star in 1936 with the programme of the one-act play Tonight at 8.30. He returned again in 1952 with Quadrille, which opened only a few days after the death of Gertie Lawrence, and Coward wrote how difficult it was to sit through that first night in what he and Gertie had always referred to as ‘our theatre’.

The Phoenix enjoyed a succession of very successful plays including John Gielgud’s Love for Love during the war, and a season featuring Paul Scofield and Peter Brook in the mid fifties. A new musical Canterbury Tales adapted from Chaucer’s famous book opened in 1968 and began a 2000 performance run. The eighties and nineties have seen many award-winning musicals, including The Baker’s Wife by Stephen Schwarz (directed by Trevor Nunn) and the delightful Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim starring Julia McEnzie; as well as a very successful season of Shakespeare plays. Blood Brothers, a musical by Willy Russell, which transferred from the Albery in 1991 and ran till 2013, was the longest running show ever at the Phoenix.

Respecting the tradition of the Italian theatres, the auditorium shines with golden engraves, red seats, carpet and curtains. Above the boxes we can admire panels by Vladimir Polunin after Tintoretto, Titian and Giorgione, and the entire safety curtain is a rendition of Jacopo del Sellaio’s The Triumph Of Love. Also, throughout the building, we can enjoy the sculpted wooden doors and the decorated ceilings. It surely is one of the most beautiful theatres in London’s West End.

Charing Cross Rd, London, WC2H 0JP, United Kingdom

Phone: 0333 009 5399