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{{redirect|Trafalgar Studios|the former artists' studios|Trafalgar Studios, Chelsea}}
{{redirect|Trafalgar Studios|the former artists' studios|Trafalgar Studios, Chelsea}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox Theatre
{{Infobox venue
|name = Trafalgar Theatre
|name = Trafalgar Theatre
|image = TrafalgarStudiosLondon.png
|image = TrafalgarStudiosLondon.png
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|closed =
|closed =
|othernames = Whitehall Theatre (prior to 2004), Trafalgar Studios (2004-2020)
|othernames = Whitehall Theatre (prior to 2004), Trafalgar Studios (2004-2020)
|production = ''A Mirror''
|production = ''[[The 39 Steps (play)|The 39 Steps]]''
|currentuse =
|currentuse =
|website = [https://trafalgartheatre.com/ Trafalgar Theatre website]
|website = [https://trafalgartheatre.com/ Trafalgar Theatre website]
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==Recent productions==
==Recent productions==
{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible"
*''[[Jersey Boys]]'' (21 April 2021 -) <ref>https://trafalgartheatre.com/2020/10/jersey-boys-to-open-trafalgar-theatre/</ref>
|+ {{sronly|Notable productions at the theater}}
* ''On Blueberry Hill'' (5 March – 2 May 2020)<ref>{{Cite news |title=On Blueberry Hill review, Trafalgar Studios, London, 2020 |url=https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/on-blueberry-hill-review-at-trafalgar-studios-london--gripping-and-heart-filling |work=The Stage |location=London |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
! width=10% scope="col" | Opening year !! width=30% scope="col" | Name !! width=10% scope="col" | {{abbr|Refs.|References}}
* ''[[A Taste of Honey]]'' (5 December 2019 – 29 February 2020, starring [[Jodie Prenger]]<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2019/dec/10/a-taste-of-honey-review-trafalgar-studios-london-shelagh-delaney-jodie-prenger |title=A Taste of Honey review – sweet songs and sour love |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=10 December 2019 |access-date=4 March 2020}}</ref>)
|-
* ''[[A Day in the Death of Joe Egg]]'' (14 October – 30 November 2019, starring [[Toby Stephens]] and [[Claire Skinner]])<ref>{{cite web |title=Review: A Day in the Death of Joe Egg (Trafalgar Studios) |website=WhatsOnStage |date=3 October 2019 |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/reviews/day-death-joe-egg-trafalgar_50031.html |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
* ''[[Equus (play)|Equus]]'' (6 July – 7 September 2019)<ref>{{cite web |title=Equus |website=Stratford East |url=http://stratfordeast.com/whats-on/all-shows/equus-at-trafalgar-studios |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
|2025||''[[Clueless_(musical)|Clueless]]''||<ref>{{cite web |title=Clueless A New Musical sets West End debut at the Trafalgar Theatre in London|website=West End Theatre|date=9 September 2024 |url=https://www.westendtheatre.com/248930/news/clueless-a-new-musical-sets-west-end-debut-at-the-trafalgar-theatre-in-london/|access-date=10 September 2024}}</ref>
|-
* ''Education, Education, Education'' (31 May – 29 June 2019, written and devised by The Wardrobe Ensemble)<ref>{{cite web |title=The Wardrobe Ensemble: Education, Education, Education - Trafalgar Studios |url=https://shoreditchtownhall.com/whats-on/education-education-education-trafalgar-studios |website=Shoreditch Town Hall |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
|2024||''[[The_Merchant_of_Venice|The Merchant of Venice 1936]]'' starring [[Tracy-Ann Oberman]]|| <ref>{{cite web |title=The Merchant of Venice 1936 to return for West End run and UK tour|website=WhatsOnStage
* ''Admissions'' (28 February – 25 May 2019, starring [[Alex Kingston]]<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/theatre/alex-kingston-admissions-us-college-scandal-a4090286.html |title=Admissions star Alex Kingston: 'Similarities with the US college scandal are extraordinary' |newspaper=[[Evening Standard]] |location=London |date=13 March 2019 |access-date=4 March 2020}}</ref>)
|date=17 July 2024 |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/the-merchant-of-venice-1936-to-return-for-west-end-run-and-uk-tour_1615514/|access-date=10 September 2024}}</ref>
* ''[[Nine Night]]'' (1 December 2018 - 23 February 2019)<ref>{{cite web |title=Nine Night at Trafalgar Studios |website=National Theatre |url=https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/nine-night-at-trafalgar-studios |date=18 June 2018 |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
|-
* ''Misty'' (8 September – 17 November 2018)<ref>{{cite web |title=Review: Misty (Trafalgar Studios) | website=WhatsOnStage | date=14 September 2018 |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/reviews/misty-trafalgar-studios-arinze-kene_47592.html |language=en-GB |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
|2024||''[[The_Duchess_of_Malfi|The Duchess (of Malfi)]]'' starring [[Jodie Whittaker]] ||<ref>{{cite web |title=The Duchess (of Malfi) with Jodie Whittaker reveals complete cast|website=WhatsOnStage|date=15 August 2024|url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/the-duchess-of-malfi-with-jodie-whittaker-reveals-complete-cast_1623492/|access-date=10 September 2024}}</ref>
* ''[[Killer Joe (play)|Killer Joe]]'' (18 May – 18 August 2018, starring [[Orlando Bloom]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44222612|title=Killer Joe: Why Orlando Bloom wanted to play a misogynist and a sociopath |website=[[BBC News]] |date=6 June 2019 |access-date=4 March 2020}}</ref>)
|-
* ''[[The Grinning Man (musical)|The Grinning Man]]'' (6 December 2017 – 5 May 2018)<ref>{{cite web |title=Review: The Grinning Man (Trafalgar Studios) |website=WhatsOnStage |date=19 December 2017 |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/reviews/the-grinning-man-trafalgar-studios_45408.html |language=en-GB |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
|2024||''[[The_39_Steps_(play)|The 39 Steps]]'' ||<ref>{{cite web |title=The 39 Steps to return to the West End this summer |website=WhatsOnStage|date=29 May 2024|url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/the-39-steps-to-return-to-the-west-end-this-summer_1603621/|access-date=1 July 2024}}</ref>
* ''Apologia'' (29 July – 18 November 2017, starring [[Stockard Channing]] as Kristin Miller, [[Freema Agyeman]] as Claire; written by [[Alexi Kaye Campbell]])<ref>{{cite news |last=Billington |first=Michael |date=4 August 2017 |title=Apologia review – Stockard Channing induces sympathy for a monstrous matriarch |location=London |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2017/aug/04/apologia-review-stockard-channing-trafalgar-studios-london |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
|-
* ''[[The Naked Magicians]]'' (31 August – 24 September 2016)<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Naked Magicians Trafalgar Studios London|url=https://www.officialtheatre.com/trafalgar-studios/the-naked-magicians/|website=www.officialtheatre.com|access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
*''[[The Ruling Class (play)|The Ruling Class]]'' (16 January – 11 April 2015, starring [[James McAvoy]])<ref>{{cite web |title=The Ruling Class (Trafalgar Studios) |website=WhatsOnStage |date=28 January 2015 |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/reviews/ruling-class-james-mcavoy_37018.html |language=en-GB |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
|2024||''A Mirror'' starring [[Jonny Lee Miller]] ||<ref>{{cite web |title='A Mirror' to transfer to the West End, starring Jonny Lee Miller |website=London Theatre |date=28 November 2023 |url=https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/a-mirror-to-transfer-to-the-west-end-starring-jonny-lee-miller|access-date=22 January 2024}}</ref>
|-
* ''[[East Is East (play)|East Is East]]'' (4 October 2014 – 3 January 2015, starring [[Jane Horrocks]] and [[Ayub Khan-Din]])<ref>{{cite web |title=East is East (Trafalgar Studios) |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/reviews/east-is-east-jane-horrocks_36149.html |website=WhatsOnStage |date=17 October 2014 |language=en-GB |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
|2021||''[[Jersey Boys]]'' ||<ref>https://trafalgartheatre.com/2020/10/jersey-boys-to-open-trafalgar-theatre/ {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref>
* ''[[Richard III (play)|Richard III]]'' (1 July – 27 September 2014, starring [[Martin Freeman]]<ref>{{cite web |first=Oliver |last=Mitford |url=http://www.bestoftheatre.co.uk/blog/post/richard-iii-trafalgar |title=Star of The Hobbit Martin Freeman to play Richard III |date=14 April 2014 |website=BestofTheatre |access-date=3 May 2023}}</ref>)
|-
* ''[[Another Country (play)|Another Country]]'' (26 March – 21 June 2014)<ref>{{cite news |last=Spencer |first=Charles |date=3 April 2014 |title=Another Country, Trafalgar Studios, review |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/theatre-reviews/10742426/Another-Country-Trafalgar-Studios-review.html |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
* ''The Pride'' (14 August 2013 – 9 November 2013)<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Pride, Trafalgar Studios - theatre review|url=http://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/theatre/the-pride-trafalgar-studios-theatre-review-8760595.html|date=14 August 2013 |website=Evening Standard |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
|2020||''On Blueberry Hill''||<ref>{{Cite news |title=On Blueberry Hill review, Trafalgar Studios, London, 2020 |url=https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/on-blueberry-hill-review-at-trafalgar-studios-london--gripping-and-heart-filling |work=The Stage |location=London |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
|-
* ''[[The Hothouse]]'' (4 May – 3 August 2013, starring [[John Simm]] and [[Simon Russell Beale]])<ref>{{cite news |title=The Hothouse – review |url=http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2013/may/10/the-hothouse-trafalgar-pinter-review |date=9 May 2013 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
* ''[[Macbeth]]'' (9 February – 27 April 2013, starring James McAvoy in the title role, opposite [[Claire Foy]])<ref>{{cite news |title=Review: Macbeth starring James McAvoy, Trafalgar Studio 1, London |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/reviews/review-macbeth-starring-james-mcavoy-trafalgar-studio-1-london-8506690.html |date=23 February 2013 |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |location=London |language=en |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
|2019||''[[A Taste of Honey]]'' starring [[Jodie Prenger]]||<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2019/dec/10/a-taste-of-honey-review-trafalgar-studios-london-shelagh-delaney-jodie-prenger |title=A Taste of Honey review – sweet songs and sour love |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=10 December 2019 |access-date=4 March 2020}}</ref>
|-
* ''Three Days in May'' (2 November 2011 – 3 March 2012)<ref>{{cite web |title=Theatre Review: Three Days In May @ Trafalgar Studios |url=https://londonist.com/2011/11/three_days_in_may |date=3 November 2011 |website=Londonist |language=en |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
|2019||''[[A Day in the Death of Joe Egg]]'' starring [[Toby Stephens]] and [[Claire Skinner]]||<ref>{{cite web |title=Review: A Day in the Death of Joe Egg (Trafalgar Studios) |website=WhatsOnStage |date=3 October 2019 |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/reviews/day-death-joe-egg-trafalgar_50031.html |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
*
|-
|2019||''[[Equus (play)|Equus]]'' ||<ref>{{cite web |title=Equus |website=Stratford East |url=http://stratfordeast.com/whats-on/all-shows/equus-at-trafalgar-studios |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
|-
|2019||''Education, Education, Education'' written and devised by The Wardrobe Ensemble||<ref>{{cite web |title=The Wardrobe Ensemble: Education, Education, Education - Trafalgar Studios |url=https://shoreditchtownhall.com/whats-on/education-education-education-trafalgar-studios |website=Shoreditch Town Hall |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
|-
|2019||''Admissions'' starring [[Alex Kingston]]||<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/theatre/alex-kingston-admissions-us-college-scandal-a4090286.html |title=Admissions star Alex Kingston: 'Similarities with the US college scandal are extraordinary' |newspaper=[[Evening Standard]] |location=London |date=13 March 2019 |access-date=4 March 2020}}</ref>
|-
|2018||''[[Nine Night]]''||<ref>{{cite web |title=Nine Night at Trafalgar Studios |website=National Theatre |url=https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/nine-night-at-trafalgar-studios |date=18 June 2018 |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
|-
|2018||''Misty''||<ref>{{cite web |title=Review: Misty (Trafalgar Studios) | website=WhatsOnStage | date=14 September 2018 |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/reviews/misty-trafalgar-studios-arinze-kene_47592.html |language=en-GB |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
|-
|2018||''[[Killer Joe (play)|Killer Joe]]'' starring [[Orlando Bloom]]||<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44222612|title=Killer Joe: Why Orlando Bloom wanted to play a misogynist and a sociopath |website=[[BBC News]] |date=6 June 2019 |access-date=4 March 2020}}</ref>
|-
|2017||''[[The Grinning Man (musical)|The Grinning Man]]''||<ref>{{cite web |title=Review: The Grinning Man (Trafalgar Studios) |website=WhatsOnStage |date=19 December 2017 |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/reviews/the-grinning-man-trafalgar-studios_45408.html |language=en-GB |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
|-
|2017||''Apologia'' starring [[Stockard Channing]] and [[Freema Agyeman]]; written by [[Alexi Kaye Campbell]])||<ref>{{cite news |last=Billington |first=Michael |date=4 August 2017 |title=Apologia review – Stockard Channing induces sympathy for a monstrous matriarch |location=London |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2017/aug/04/apologia-review-stockard-channing-trafalgar-studios-london |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
|-
|2016||''[[The Naked Magicians]]'' ||<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Naked Magicians Trafalgar Studios London|url=https://www.officialtheatre.com/trafalgar-studios/the-naked-magicians/|website=www.officialtheatre.com|access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
|-
|2015|''|[[The Ruling Class (play)|The Ruling Class]]'' starring [[James McAvoy]]||<ref>{{cite web |title=The Ruling Class (Trafalgar Studios) |website=WhatsOnStage |date=28 January 2015 |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/reviews/ruling-class-james-mcavoy_37018.html |language=en-GB |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
|-
|2014||''[[East Is East (play)|East Is East]]'' starring [[Jane Horrocks]] and [[Ayub Khan-Din]]||<ref>{{cite web |title=East is East (Trafalgar Studios) |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/reviews/east-is-east-jane-horrocks_36149.html |website=WhatsOnStage |date=17 October 2014 |language=en-GB |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
|-
|2014||''[[Richard III (play)|Richard III]]'' starring [[Martin Freeman]]||<ref>{{cite web |first=Oliver |last=Mitford |url=http://www.bestoftheatre.co.uk/blog/post/richard-iii-trafalgar |title=Star of The Hobbit Martin Freeman to play Richard III |date=14 April 2014 |website=BestofTheatre |access-date=3 May 2023}}</ref>
|-
|2014||''[[Another Country (play)|Another Country]]'' ||<ref>{{cite news |last=Spencer |first=Charles |date=3 April 2014 |title=Another Country, Trafalgar Studios, review |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/theatre-reviews/10742426/Another-Country-Trafalgar-Studios-review.html |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
|-
|2013||''[[The_Pride_(play)|The Pride]]'' || <ref>{{Cite web|title=The Pride, Trafalgar Studios - theatre review|url=http://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/theatre/the-pride-trafalgar-studios-theatre-review-8760595.html|date=14 August 2013 |website=Evening Standard |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
|-
|2013||''[[The Hothouse]]'' starring [[John Simm]] and [[Simon Russell Beale]]||<ref>{{cite news |title=The Hothouse – review |url=http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2013/may/10/the-hothouse-trafalgar-pinter-review |date=9 May 2013 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
|-
|2013||''[[Macbeth]]'' starring [[James McAvoy]] and [[Claire Foy]]||<ref>{{cite news |title=Review: Macbeth starring James McAvoy, Trafalgar Studio 1, London |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/reviews/review-macbeth-starring-james-mcavoy-trafalgar-studio-1-london-8506690.html |date=23 February 2013 |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |location=London |language=en |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
|-
|2011|| ''Three Days in May''||<ref>{{cite web |title=Theatre Review: Three Days In May @ Trafalgar Studios |url=https://londonist.com/2011/11/three_days_in_may |date=3 November 2011 |website=Londonist |language=en |access-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
|-
|}


==Nearby Tube stations==
==Nearby Tube stations==

Revision as of 17:21, 10 September 2024

Trafalgar Theatre
Whitehall Theatre (prior to 2004), Trafalgar Studios (2004-2020)
As Trafalgar Studios in 2007
Map
AddressWhitehall
London, SW1
United Kingdom
Public transitLondon Underground Charing Cross
National Rail Charing Cross
OwnerTrafalgar Entertainment Group
DesignationGrade II
TypeWest End theatre
Capacity630 seats
ProductionThe 39 Steps
Construction
Opened29 September 1930; 94 years ago (1930-09-29)
Rebuilt2004 (Tim Foster and John Muir) / 2020 (Foster Wilson Architects)
ArchitectEdward A. Stone
Website
Trafalgar Theatre website

Trafalgar Theatre is a West End theatre in Whitehall, near Trafalgar Square, in the City of Westminster, London. The Grade II listed building was built in 1930 with interiors in the Art Deco style as the Whitehall Theatre; it regularly staged comedies and revues. It was converted into a television and radio studio in the 1990s, before returning to theatrical use in 2004 as Trafalgar Studios, the name it bore until 2020, with the auditorium converted to two studio spaces. It re-opened in 2021 following a major multi-million pound project to reinstate it to its original single-auditorium design.

History

1930 to 1996

The original Whitehall Theatre, built on the site of the 17th century Ye Old Ship Tavern was designed by Edward A. Stone, with interiors in the Art Deco style by Marc-Henri and Laverdet. It had 634 seats.[1] The theatre opened on 29 September 1930 with The Way to Treat a Woman by Walter Hackett, who was the theatre's licensee. In November 1933 Henry Daniell appeared there as Portman in Afterwards. Hackett presented several other plays of his own before leaving in 1934, and the theatre built its reputation for modern comedies throughout the rest of the decade. During World War II it housed revues, which had become commonplace entertainment throughout the West End. In 1942, The Whitehall Follies, featuring Phyllis Dixey, the first stripper to perform in the theatre district, opened with great fanfare and became an immediate success. Dixey leased the theatre and remained in it for the next five years.

The Whitehall Theatre pictured in 1981.

A series of five long-running farces, presented under the umbrella title "Whitehall farce" by the actor-manager Brian Rix, were staged at the theatre from 1950 to 1966: Reluctant Heroes, by Colin Morris (1950–54); Dry Rot, by John Chapman (1954–58); Simple Spymen (1958–61); One For the Pot, by Ray Cooney and Tony Hilton (1961–64); and Chase Me, Comrade, by Cooney (1964–66). Excerpts from the shows were televised by the BBC.[2][3][4]

The building was acquired in 1971 by Paul Raymond who was producer of a nude review that had opened there in 1969 called Pyjama Tops, it ran for five years after which productions including Ipi Tombi and Anyone for Denis? had successful runs. The building was shuttered until July 1982 when a production of Private Dick starring Robert Powell ran for 16 weeks. It then briefly housed an exhibition of World War II memorabilia known as The Whitehall Theatre of War. Acquired from the Paul Raymond Organisation in 1985 by Maybox Theatres the Theatre came under the direction of Ian Albery. After considerable refurbishment that retained most of its Art Deco features, it reopened on 5 March 1986 with a successful revival of J.B. Priestley's When We Are Married. Subsequent productions included When I Was a Girl I Used to Scream and Shout by Sharman Macdonald, The Importance of Being Earnest, The Foreigner, Run For Your Wife, Absurd Person Singular, Travels with My Aunt, tributes to Patsy Cline, Roy Orbison and the Blues Brothers, and solo performances by Ennio Marchetto and Maria Friedman.

1997 to 2020

Between 1997 and 1999, the theatre was converted into a television and radio studio used primarily to broadcast Jack Docherty's talk show and BBC Radio 4's Live from London. It returned to theatrical use, with such productions as Three Sisters, Puppetry of the Penis, "Art", Rat Pack Confidential, and Sing-a-Long-a-ABBA, before its owner, the Ambassador Theatre Group, announced the building would be reconfigured and reopen with a new name.

The current building contains two intimate theatres designed by architects Tim Foster and John Muir. Studio 1, the larger of the two spaces with 380 seats, opened on 3 June 2004 with the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Othello. Studio 2, with 100 seats, opened in October 2005 with the play Cyprus.[5][6]

Since 2004, Trafalgar Studios has presented short runs of revivals of classic plays and musicals, including Sweeney Todd (2004); Losing Louis (2005); a season by the RSC repertory season, from December 2005 to February 2006, of plays including Sir Thomas More, Sejanus: His Fall and Believe What You Will; an adaptation of Jane Eyre by Polly Teale (2006); Bent (2006–07); Elling (2007); Dealer's Choice (2007–08); Fat Pig (2008, transferring to the Comedy Theatre); Entertaining Mr Sloane (2009) and A Christmas Carol (2010–11). Three Days in May showed at the theatre from November 2011 to March 2012.

The theatre was Grade II listed by English Heritage in December 1996, noting "The auditorium has a decorative cohesion and prettiness rare in theatres of its day, and has the best surviving original fabric of this type of theatre".[7]

In May 2016, Howard Panter and Rosemary Squire, founders and former owners of Ambassador Theatre Group, announced they were stepping down from ATG to set up their own production company called Trafalgar Entertainment Group (TEG), which would take control of Trafalgar Studios.[8]

2020 to present

In May 2020, planning permission was granted to return the premises to a 630-seat theatre. Since the building's listed status meant the 2004 changes had to be reversible, it was possible for the theatre to be restored to its previous form.[9] Westminster City Council granted the necessary planning permission and listed building consents to carry out the work. The venue closed earlier than expected in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and building work on the theatre began in the summer. On 27 October, Trafalgar Entertainment announced that the theatre would re-open as Trafalgar Theatre in Spring 2021. The restoration resulted in the restoration of a new single auditorium at an increased capacity and a larger stage, matching other theatre venues such as the Duke of York's and Vaudeville theatres. All seats at Trafalgar Theatre are on just two levels, stalls and dress circle. The redevelopment was overseen by Foster Wilson Architects.[10][11][12] On 30 October, it was announced that Jersey Boys would be opening the new Trafalgar Theatre in April 2021.[13] However, its opening was delayed to July 2021.[14]

Recent productions

Notable productions at the theater
Opening year Name Refs.
2025 Clueless [15]
2024 The Merchant of Venice 1936 starring Tracy-Ann Oberman [16]
2024 The Duchess (of Malfi) starring Jodie Whittaker [17]
2024 The 39 Steps [18]
2024 A Mirror starring Jonny Lee Miller [19]
2021 Jersey Boys [20]
2020 On Blueberry Hill [21]
2019 A Taste of Honey starring Jodie Prenger [22]
2019 A Day in the Death of Joe Egg starring Toby Stephens and Claire Skinner [23]
2019 Equus [24]
2019 Education, Education, Education written and devised by The Wardrobe Ensemble [25]
2019 Admissions starring Alex Kingston [26]
2018 Nine Night [27]
2018 Misty [28]
2018 Killer Joe starring Orlando Bloom [29]
2017 The Grinning Man [30]
2017 Apologia starring Stockard Channing and Freema Agyeman; written by Alexi Kaye Campbell) [31]
2016 The Naked Magicians [32]
|The Ruling Class starring James McAvoy [33]
2014 East Is East starring Jane Horrocks and Ayub Khan-Din [34]
2014 Richard III starring Martin Freeman [35]
2014 Another Country [36]
2013 The Pride [37]
2013 The Hothouse starring John Simm and Simon Russell Beale [38]
2013 Macbeth starring James McAvoy and Claire Foy [39]
2011 Three Days in May [40]

Nearby Tube stations

Notes

  1. ^ Gaye, p. 1555.
  2. ^ "12 Successful Years for Mr. Brian Rix". The Times. 13 September 1962, p. 12.
  3. ^ Gaye, pp. 1530–38.
  4. ^ Smith, p. 91.
  5. ^ "Trafalgar Studios London – Tickets, Location & Seating Plan". London Theatre Direct. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  6. ^ "Venues: Trafalgar Studios 1". Official London Theatre. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  7. ^ "Images of England". English Heritage. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2007.
  8. ^ "Theatre's power couple step back from ATG to run Trafalgar Studios". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  9. ^ Masso, Giverny (4 May 2020). "Trafalgar Studios granted planning permission to merge two spaces into single auditorium". The Stage. London. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  10. ^ Thomas, Sophie (5 May 2020). "Trafalgar Studios to be converted into single auditorium". London Theatre. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  11. ^ Lukowski, Andrzej (30 October 2020). "A new theatre is opening in the West End!". Time Out London. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  12. ^ "Trafalgar Studios to merge spaces and relaunch as Trafalgar Theatre in 2021".
  13. ^ Hershberg, Marc (30 October 2020). "How One Producer Is Trying To Save The West End Theatre Industry". Forbes. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  14. ^ "Jersey Boys announces new dates at Trafalgar Theatre". WhatsOnStage. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  15. ^ "Clueless A New Musical sets West End debut at the Trafalgar Theatre in London". West End Theatre. 9 September 2024. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  16. ^ "The Merchant of Venice 1936 to return for West End run and UK tour". WhatsOnStage. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  17. ^ "The Duchess (of Malfi) with Jodie Whittaker reveals complete cast". WhatsOnStage. 15 August 2024. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  18. ^ "The 39 Steps to return to the West End this summer". WhatsOnStage. 29 May 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  19. ^ "'A Mirror' to transfer to the West End, starring Jonny Lee Miller". London Theatre. 28 November 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  20. ^ https://trafalgartheatre.com/2020/10/jersey-boys-to-open-trafalgar-theatre/ [bare URL]
  21. ^ "On Blueberry Hill review, Trafalgar Studios, London, 2020". The Stage. London. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  22. ^ "A Taste of Honey review – sweet songs and sour love". The Guardian. London. 10 December 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  23. ^ "Review: A Day in the Death of Joe Egg (Trafalgar Studios)". WhatsOnStage. 3 October 2019. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  24. ^ "Equus". Stratford East. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  25. ^ "The Wardrobe Ensemble: Education, Education, Education - Trafalgar Studios". Shoreditch Town Hall. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  26. ^ "Admissions star Alex Kingston: 'Similarities with the US college scandal are extraordinary'". Evening Standard. London. 13 March 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  27. ^ "Nine Night at Trafalgar Studios". National Theatre. 18 June 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  28. ^ "Review: Misty (Trafalgar Studios)". WhatsOnStage. 14 September 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  29. ^ "Killer Joe: Why Orlando Bloom wanted to play a misogynist and a sociopath". BBC News. 6 June 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  30. ^ "Review: The Grinning Man (Trafalgar Studios)". WhatsOnStage. 19 December 2017. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  31. ^ Billington, Michael (4 August 2017). "Apologia review – Stockard Channing induces sympathy for a monstrous matriarch". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  32. ^ "The Naked Magicians Trafalgar Studios London". www.officialtheatre.com. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  33. ^ "The Ruling Class (Trafalgar Studios)". WhatsOnStage. 28 January 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  34. ^ "East is East (Trafalgar Studios)". WhatsOnStage. 17 October 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  35. ^ Mitford, Oliver (14 April 2014). "Star of The Hobbit Martin Freeman to play Richard III". BestofTheatre. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  36. ^ Spencer, Charles (3 April 2014). "Another Country, Trafalgar Studios, review". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  37. ^ "The Pride, Trafalgar Studios - theatre review". Evening Standard. 14 August 2013. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  38. ^ "The Hothouse – review". The Guardian. London. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  39. ^ "Review: Macbeth starring James McAvoy, Trafalgar Studio 1, London". The Independent. London. 23 February 2013. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  40. ^ "Theatre Review: Three Days In May @ Trafalgar Studios". Londonist. 3 November 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2020.

References

  • Earl, John; Sell, Michael, eds. (2000). Guide to British Theatres 1750–1950. A. & C. Black. pp. 146–7. ISBN 978-0-7136-5688-6. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  • Theatre history
  • Who's Who in the Theatre, edited by John Parker, tenth edition, revised, London, 1947, pps: 477–478.
  • Gaye, Freda, ed. (1967). Who's Who in the Theatre (fourteenth ed.). London: Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons. OCLC 5997224.
  • Smith, Leslie (1989). Modern British Farce: A Selective Study of British Farce from Pinero to the Present Day. Basingstoke: Macmillan. ISBN 978-0-3334-4878-6.

51°30′24″N 0°07′39″W / 51.5066°N 0.1275°W / 51.5066; -0.1275