The friendly theatre in the heart of the West End
Leicester Square Theatre is a magnificently restored theatre located in the heart of the West End running a healthy programme of comedy, cabaret, dance, music and theatre. The 400-seat theatre boasts two bars perfectly positioned in the auditorium with newly installed cinema-style seating and an intimate bar downstairs.
Possibly the greatest comedy venue in the world and right in the beating heart of London. You’re guaranteed a great night out! Unbeatable. I liked it so much I named my podcast after it!
Richard Herring
Our history
Joan Rivers in 'A Work in Progress by a Life in Progress', 2008
Leicester Square Theatre was reopened by Lesley Ackland and Martin Witts in August 2008 with a twelve-week run of the late motormouth US comedienne Joan Rivers.
The venue soon established itself as one of London’s foremost comedy venues playing host to the major comedy talent of today including Bill Bailey, Michael McIntyre, Richard Herring, Micky Flanagan, Frankie Boyle, Sandra Bernhard, Bridget Christie, Jo Brand, Russell Howard and annual seasons with Stewart Lee. In addition it has established a long standing relationship with Freckle Productions who delight children annually with the seasonal Stick Man.
The theatre has an illustrious history as a live music venue. As the ‘Cavern in the Town’ in the ’60s, beat group Small Faces had a regular residency. In the 1970s, as the Notre Dame Hall, The Rolling Stones played there along with The Who. But punk ruled supreme and the venue hosted some riotous early landmark gigs by The Sex Pistols. The Clash previewed their London Calling material there in 1979 before recording the seminal album the following month. Therefore it wasn’t long before music started playing a vital role in the venue’s programming. Macy Gray, Boy George, Tommy Emmanuel, John Mayall, Michael Feinstien, Stacey Kent, Hazel O’Connor, David McAlmont, Ruby Turner and Tony Christie are just a handful of names that have played the theatre in the last few years.
The programming at Leicester Square Theatre isn’t restricted to the big names – it’s important (and exciting too) to bring in brilliant up-and-coming artists and the cult names of the underground. You won’t recognise all the names on this website but you’ll certainly be hearing more from them soon.
I genuinely believe Leicester Sq Theatre is one of the best places in the world to watch live comedy.
Jenny Eclair
Visiting us
We’re just off Leicester Square in the heart of the West End, with public transport links making it easy to get to us wherever you’re coming from.