The Aldwych Theatre
THE ALDWYCH THEATRE, ALDWYCH WC2
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1210115
- Date first listed:
- 20-Jul-1971
- List Entry Name:
- The Aldwych Theatre
- Statutory Address:
- THE ALDWYCH THEATRE, ALDWYCH WC2
Location
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Images of England Project
- Date:
- 2001-06-30
- Reference:
- IOE01/06513/32
- Rights:
- © Miss Patricia Philpott. Source: Historic England Archive
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Official list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1210115
- Date first listed:
- 20-Jul-1971
- List Entry Name:
- The Aldwych Theatre
- Statutory Address 1:
- THE ALDWYCH THEATRE, ALDWYCH WC2
- Statutory Address 2:
- THE ALDWYCH THEATRE, DRURY LANE WC2
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
Location
- Statutory Address:
- THE ALDWYCH THEATRE, ALDWYCH WC2
- Statutory Address:
- THE ALDWYCH THEATRE, DRURY LANE WC2
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- County:
- Greater London Authority
- District:
- City of Westminster (London Borough)
- Parish:
- Non Civil Parish
- National Grid Reference:
- TQ 30641 81020
Details
TQ 3081 SE CITY OF WESTMINSTER ALDWYCH, WC2 60/20 (North side)
20.7.71 The Aldwych Theatre
G.V. II
Theatre. 1905 by W.G.R. Sprague. Portland stone faced, concealed roof. Lively Free classicism of vaguely Beaux Arts derivation, part of the Aldwych-Kingsway development and designed as a reverse pair to the Strand Theatre q.v. flanking the Waldorf hotel q.v. in a symmetrical composition. 4 storeys and attic storey. Identical 3-window wide elevations to Aldwych and Drury Lane, linked by inset, bowed, 2-window wide corner entrance pavilion. Ground and 1st floors treated as rusticated podium with entrance to corner under canopy returned to both fronts. Arcaded 1st floor windows. Above 1st floor cornices rises a giant engaged Ionic order embracing the 2nd and 3rd floors with the 2nd floor windows treated as steep pedimented Venetian windows. Tall attic storey above main entablature fronted to Aldwych and Drury Lane by applied pediments, attic cornice and blocking course surmounted by ball finials. Generous use of high and low-relief statuary groups, swags, pendants and reverse scrolls. Each pedimented attic carries statuary group on die. Drury Lane facade continued as lower red brick wing with stone dressings. Interior has semi-elliptical vestibule; C.17 style, stuccoed, 2-storeyed foyer with gallery and top 1st staircase rising in one flight and returning in 2. Elegant auditorium in Beaux Arts Dixhuitieme with 2 cantilevered balconies and ceiling with coffered dome; stucco work expresses classical superimposition of 3 orders with finely executed pendants, trophies, be-ribboned wreaths etc.; tiers of boxes flanking proscenium etc..
The Theatres of London; Mander and Mitchenson.
Listing NGR: TQ3063481027
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 208539
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Sources
Books and journals
Mander, , Mitchenson, , The Theatres of London, (1975)
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Map
This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 28-Jun-2026 at 22:20:08.
Download a full scale map (PDF)End of official list entry
All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.