Apollo Theatre, London

An intimate Victorian playhouse on Shaftesbury Avenue, next door to the Lyric, holding 844 across four levels. It is smaller than most West End theatres and steeper than nearly all of them, and the seating plan does not change between productions, which makes seat advice here unusually reliable.

Quick facts

  • Address: 31 Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 7EZ
  • Nearest tube: Piccadilly Circus, about 3 to 4 minutes. Leicester Square is similar
  • Capacity: 844
  • Levels: Stalls, Dress Circle, Grand Circle, Balcony
  • Boxes: eight in total, across three levels
  • Opened: 1901, Grade II listed
  • Operator: Nimax Theatres

Currently at the Apollo Theatre

My Son's a Queer runs from Wednesday 16 September to Saturday 3 October 2026. Rob Madge's autobiographical one-person show, back in the West End for three weeks. It runs 65 minutes with no interval, which is the shortest evening the Apollo will sell this year.

Coming to the Apollo

  • Derren Brown: Only Human, 10 October 2026 to 30 January 2027. His eleventh West End show, after a sold-out UK tour. Press night is 21 October.

Book Apollo Theatre tickets

All-in pricing, the price you see is what you pay.

Apollo Theatre FAQs

What is the bag policy?

There are bag checks on the way in, so the less you carry the faster you are through. Alcohol, sharp objects and recording equipment are not allowed. There is a cloakroom for anything you would rather not hold.

Is there a dress code?

There isn't one. People come in everything from jeans to black tie and nobody minds either way. The building is 1901 and the upper levels sit close to the ceiling, so they get warm.

How many people does the Apollo Theatre hold?

844, across four levels. It is one of the smaller West End theatres, and the Stalls alone account for 365 of that.

What was the Apollo Theatre called before?

It has always been the Apollo, but only just. It was going to be called the Mascot Theatre, and the name was changed before it opened in 1901.

What area is the Apollo in?

Shaftesbury Avenue, on the southern edge of Soho, two or three minutes from Piccadilly Circus and about five from Chinatown.

Can I buy tickets at the Box Office?

Yes. The Box Office is open from 12pm until the evening performance starts on performance days. Booking with us means all-in pricing and no queue.