Celebrate Theatre At Home
All the world’s a stage… even from your living room
While we’ve lowered the curtain at our theatres, the digital stage is set to bring the show online.
If you’re looking for boredom busters, we have some of the best bits of West End that you can enjoy in the comfort of your own home.
Lights, Camera, Movie Marathon!
From stage to screen (and vice versa), check out these films that were inspired by, or served as the inspiration for, productions that have called our theatres home over the years.
Andrew Lloyd Webber
West End theatres may be taking a short interval, but that hasn’t stopped our owner and legendary composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber. Make sure you’re following his social channels for the latest ‘Composer in Isolation’ videos, featuring singalongs from Joseph, song requests from Phantom, Q&As and much more.
I very much enjoyed chatting to my friend @GaryBarlow about the creation of our special song we wrote together. Lots of wonderful memories presenting it to HM The Queen. Gary and I are so proud that it is still being sung by so many children and choirs all over the world. – ALW pic.twitter.com/dFPyf2jFqd
— Andrew Lloyd Webber (@OfficialALW) May 28, 2020
I’m going to be sharing some of the Stories behind the Scores and this little theatre over the next few weeks. Reminiscing today to where Phantom all started – ALW pic.twitter.com/1VLXfJs8BX
— Andrew Lloyd Webber (@OfficialALW) May 24, 2020
“Another week of isolation almost over! I’ve got to add a Little Richard song as a tribute to the late great.” – ALW #HomeIsWhereTheMusicIs https://t.co/EqOzZVnkjG pic.twitter.com/0dmZJprGoc
— Andrew Lloyd Webber (@OfficialALW) May 22, 2020
Home Is Where The Music Is
Singalong to your favourite West End tunes with the LW Theatres Spotify Channel. You’ll find all your favourite musical theatre soundtracks and exclusive playlists from shows & artists that have called our theatres home over the years, including Phantom, Kinky Boots, Be More Chill, Sunset Boulevard and lots more. On this week’s rotation…
Video Vault
Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again? Get your theatre fix with these recording sessions, live performances, interviews & more.
History & Architecture
Step back in time and learn about the history of our incredible West End theatres, and the beautiful architecture and spaces that give each their own distinctive identity.
The Extraordinary Tales of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Theatres
Over the next few weeks, we’re going to be sharing some of the most extraordinary tales about our theatres.
The Suffragettes regularly staged protests in London theatres. In 1914 they infiltrated a performance at His Majesty’s Theatre, (as we were known then), attended by the King in an attempt to press one of their leaflets into his hand. Despite not getting up close to the monarch, they managed to get up into the gallery and shower the stalls audience with their literature.
William Terris, a celebrated performer appearing in Secret Service at the Adelphi Theatre in 1897, was fatally stabbed by jealous actor, Richard Prince. His last words reportedly were “I’ll be back”. These may have some truth in them, as his ghost has allegedly been seen inside the auditorium.
On 11 May 1941 The London Palladium was hit by an unexploded German parachute mine. A Royal Navy disposal team soon arrived, but the bomb started ticking. After evacuating the area and waiting it out, the team were able to return and extract the fuse, rendering the mine safe. They then lowered it to the stage before disposing of it.
Back in 1766 Charlotte Chapel stood on the site of The Other Palace. It fell into disrepair and was converted into an ‘Electric Picture House’ in 1924. It was later redeveloped and opened as the Westminster Theatre in 1931, making it the first theatre on the site. The Chapel’s Crypt was still used as a dressing room, green room and bar serving unlimited red wine.
The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up made the Cambridge Theatre his home for many years. Dating back to JM Barrie’s original play in 1943, to Lulu starring as Tinkerbell in the American musical adaptation of the story in 1987. Finally, Ron Moody and Nicola Stapleton brought a modern spin to the tale with the British musical Peter Pan in 1994.
Stars On Stage
Look back at the legendary stars who have tread the boards of our historic theatres.
View gallery
Read All About It
Check out our interviews with stars past, present and future.
