Adelphi Theatre

Location

The Adelphi Theatre couldn't be better situated for enjoying London’s tourist hotspots, located as it is on the famous Strand near the bank of the River Thames. There are several other theatres located along this stretch of road, making it an interesting place to have a stroll and observe what is currently going on in Theatreland. It is never sedate or dull, and its position near to other famous landmarks such as Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus means that you can easily preface your theatre experience with a trip to some of London's most famous museums, galleries and monuments, such as the National Gallery and Nelson's Column. It is also very close to Covent Garden, which offers an array of bars and restaurants to suit all tastes as well as many shops and a market. The area is also home to the National Opera House and the London Transport Museum and is one of the capital's most popular spots for live performance artists.

Getting there

By Tube: The most convenient station for the Adelphi Theatre is Covent Garden on the Piccadilly line, which is just 400m from the theatre's entrance.By bus: Numbers 6, 9, 11,13, 15, 23, 77A and 176 all stop close to the theatre.

By taxi or car:  If you are being dropped off at the theatre by taxi the main entrance is off the Strand. Alternatively, there is a National Car Park on nearby Drury Lane. There are also single yellow lines and parking meters on Maiden Lane, which is just behind the theatre.

Seating

The Adelphi Theatre, whilst not the largest of London's theatres, has a fairly impressive capacity currently standing at almost 1500 seats. This means that there is a wide selection of different views and ticket prices available, with the two generally being interlinked - if you are prepared to sacrifice getting the best view possible there are some fantastic deals to be taken advantage of!

There are only three different tiers to the Adelphi, known as the Stalls, Dress Circle and Upper Circle. The Stalls is the section of seats nearest to the stage, as you can see in the seating plan to the right. Whilst this is not the area to be looking in if you are working with a limited budget, it is definitely the place where you will find the best views of the stage in the theatre. Depending on the show and the people you are going with, it might be worth splashing out on seats in the Stalls if you really want to be able to enjoy the action, and although tickets are normally quite expensive (and especially so in the front of the section) there are often still special offers for certain performances that can bring the price down to the same as some of the traditionally less coveted seats.

The second level of the theatre is called the Dress Circle, and there is a case to be made for this being one of the most balanced seating options in the Adelphi. Although these are not the cheapest tickets in the theatre and the front few rows are likely to be a similar price to the Stalls, these seats can offer a fantastic panorama of the stage and if you are torn between this and a Stalls seat, you may actually find that this is your best bet.

The highest area of the Adelphi is the Upper Circle, which is normally where you will find bargain ticket prices. This can be especially beneficial if you manage to get seats in the first few rows at the front of the section, as views here can often be comparable to those in the Dress Circle for a much cheaper price; however, the further back you go the less you will be able to see of the stage. Nonetheless, this can be a great option if you are simply looking for an affordable lot of tickets.

Accessibility

The Adelphi Theatre consists of 3 levels: the Stalls, Dress Circle and Upper Circle. The main foyer can be reached by one 15cm step, and a ramp is also available. There are no steps from the foyer to the Stalls, whereas there are 41 steps up to the Dress Circle and 79 steps up to the Upper Circle. The Adelphi does not have any lifts. Discounts and concessions are available for both disabled patrons and their carers on selected performances.

There are two spaces for wheelchair users towards the back of the Stalls, although the view may be slightly restricted. However, transfer seating is available to any seat in the Stalls area, and up to 4 wheelchairs per performance can be stored in the cloakroom. There is an accessible toilet in the foyer next to the entrance to the Stalls. There are several bars in the theatre including the Vivien Ellis, which has a step-free entrance and is on the level of the Stalls. Alternatively, drinks can be brought to patrons in their seats.

The Adelphi is fitted with an infra-red system with headsets, which are limited in number and can be collected from the Box Office. There is also an induction loop at the Box Office. Guests should note that there is no coverage in the Stalls between row R and the rear, in the Dress Circle from row J to the rear and in the Upper Circle from row F to the rear. Access dogs are allowed inside the auditorium, or alternatively up to 4 dogs can be looked after by theatre staff during a performance.Access bookings telephone line 020 7492 9930 or access booking form

History

The Adelphi Theatre stands along London's famous Strand and is a part of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Theatre Group, having been home to a number of his most popular musicals in recent decades. The current Grade II-listed building is the fourth to exist on the site within 125 years and bears the Art Deco style of the 1930s. The theatre's many incarnations go all the way back to 1806, when it was first founded under the name Sans Pareil (or Without Compare) by John Scott, in order to satisfy the demands of his actress daughter Jane.

In its early years the theatre was characterised by its productions of melodrama, with a series known by the title The Adelphi Screamers. It also dabbled in some of the first interpretations of the work of Charles Dickens for the stage, including The Pickwick Papers and Nicholas Nickleby. Over the decades, the Adelphi has slowly focused more on musicals as opposed to drama and, under the guidance of Lloyd Webber, has in recent years showcased productions of Chicago, Evita, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and Love Never Dies. Notably, the musical Chicago enjoyed an 8 year run at the Adelphi, and the theatre was also used as the location for Lloyd Webber's 1998 video version of Cats.