Criterion Theatre

The Criterion Theatre

The Criterion Theatre is a London West End theatre situated on Piccadilly Circus in the City of Westminster, and is a Grade II listed building and has an official capacity of 588.

Originally functioning as a concert hall, The Criterion Theatre has been in operation since 1874 with the performances of Henry J. Byron and W.S. Gilbert's "An American Lady" as well as Alfred Cellier's operetta piece "Topsyturveydom". After a number of renovations and refurbishments over the years, the theatre had transformed into a makeshift studio safe from the Blitz in World War II. Throughout this time, light entertainment programmes were produced, recorded and broadcast live from the safety of the theatre. 

Once the war had ended, The Criterion Theatre reopened to include more experimental and avant-garde works in its repertoire including pieces by Samuel Beckett, Jean Anouilh and Dario Fo among many others. This continued into the 1980's, with The Criterion Theatre being purchased by property tycoon Robert Bourne and major refurbishments had taken place. Once the refurbishments were fully complete in 1992, the Criterion Theatre was established as the well-preserved Victorian auditorium up to this day. Major productions since 1980 have included Tom Foolery, Run For Your Wife, Ennio Marchetto, Misery, John Lennon in Word & Music, Jack, The Reduced Shakespeare Company, The Countess, The Gruffalo, What the Butler Saw, Otherwise Engaged, Mack & Mabel, Amélie and Star Wars - shortened and most recently Pride and Prejudice*.