Piccadilly Theatre

Theatre History

The History of The Piccadilly Theatre

The Piccadilly theatre was opened April 27th 1928 and for it's early life served as a cinema, the first to show talkies in Britain, before returning to use as a theatre.

In 1941, Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit premiered at the Piccadilly theatre. Noel Coward brought a pre-war touch back to London's West End with Blithe Spirit. Described as "an improbable farce", the play contained no references to the war. In 1942 John Gielgud brought Macbeth to the Piccadilly.

American drama and musicals gave the Piccadilly some cachet in the 1960's and '70's including Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? in1964, Man Of La Mancha in 1969 and A Streetcar Named Desire in 1974. The RSC brought some of their productions here while waiting for the Barbican to open, including 1980's Educating Rita.
The 1990's witnessed an expansion in musicals, ballet and dance. The Piccadilly Theatre staged the most successful commercial ballet season ever to play in the West End, Swan Lake.

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Speak to our expert team if you need help or advice. Were open 9am to 9pm(weekdays) and 9am to 8pm(weekends)

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