Welcome to the Savoy Theatre- entertaining audiences since 1881, this theatrical gem has seen more drama than a Shakespearean tragedy—and more laughter than a Noël Coward comedy.
Originally envisioned by impresario Richard D’Oyly Carte to showcase the whimsical operas of Gilbert and Sullivan, the Savoy Theatre made waves as the world’s first public building lit entirely by electricity. Imagine, in 1881, Londoners trading gas lamps for incandescent bulbs while enjoying the cheeky antics of Patience or the uproarious tunes of The Mikado.
Fast forward to the roaring '20s, when Rupert D’Oyly Carte, Richard’s son, decided it was time for a facelift. The theatre was reincarnated into a glittering palace of modernism, boasting a ceiling painted like an April sky and walls adorned in shimmering gold. This was the Savoy’s heyday—a time when every seat in the house was a front-row experience, and the stage saw the likes of Gilbert and Sullivan revivals alongside the first English performance of Oscar Wilde’s Salome.
Not even a devastating fire in 1990 could dim the Savoy’s sparkle. It reopened in 1993, faithfully restored to its 1929 splendor. Since then, it’s been a stage for stars like Nicole Scherzinger in Sunset Boulevard and the iconic duo of Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick in Plaza Suite.
Today, under the stewardship of ATG Entertainment, the Savoy Theatre continues to captivate audiences with its blend of history and modern hits. From the infectious energy of Legally Blonde to the soul-stirring melodies of Dreamgirls.
Details
- Address:
- Strand
- WC2
- Transport:
- Railway station: Charing Cross Bus numbers: (Strand) 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, 87, 91, 139, 176; (Aldwych) 59, 68, 171, 172, 188, X68, RV1