Wyndham's Theatre

Wyndham's Theatre history

From the outside

From the outside an impressive, majestic creation in pale stone with ornate archways, round windows and pillars reminiscent of ancient Greece, inside Wyndham’s Theatre is a delight with its pale blue, cream and pastel green décor, encrusted boxes and absolutely stunning painted ceiling.

Wyndham’s Theatre architecture and history

Not to be confused with the author John Wyndham, Charles Wyndham was a famous name in theatrical circles during the late 1800s, so much so that he was eventually knighted by King Edward VII.

The great man has always dreamed of his own theatre and his good friends funded the theatre that bears his name, raising enough cash to build the venue on a site owned by a member of the nobility and a great admirer of his work. Designed by the prolific architect W.G.R. Sprague in around 1898, who designed six other London theatres during his lifetime, the first play was a popular revival of T.W.Robertson's play, David Garrick.

J M Barrie, who wrote Peter Pan fame, had plays put on there, as did household name stars of the day the du Maurier family, of Daphne du Maurier fame, and Edgar Wallace. But the Wyndham’s Theatre’s biggest smash was the infamous French Riviera musical The Boy Friend, which showed there for the first time and broke records in the process. Running for an impressive five years, it finally transferred to Broadway and shot the singer-actress Julie Andrews to sudden fame.

In 1910 Gerald du Maurier began a partnership with the theatre that lasted 15 years, and was involved in setting up the stage debut of the infamous silver screen actress Tallulah Bankhead. Daphne du Maurier apparently used to watch her father on the stage, from the wings, and she eventually produced a play of her own, called The Years Between, on the same well-loved stage.

Over the years the theatre has traditionally alternated dramatic and comedies, with the odd feel-good factor musical show in between. Stars like Vanessa Redgrave, Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Kenneth Branagh and Madonna have graced its stage, and its central location means it’s an enduringly popular venue with the people who create and publicise shows.

The venue was Grade 2 listed by English Heritage in 1960. Today it is controlled by Delfont Mackintosh Theatres Ltd.

Past shows at Wyndham’s Theatre

David Essex and Jeremy Irons made their West End debuts at Wyndham’s Theatre in 1972, playing in the musical Godspell. Art, the multi-award winning play, kicked off there and went on to run for a cool 2,000 performances. Madonna made her West End debut here in 2002 in the play Up for Grabs. Chekhov and Shakespeare plays and big hitting shows like The History Boys and the C S Lewis life story Shadowlands have also appeared at Wyndham’s.

Wyndham’s Theatre access

There’s an infra-red system with headsets and guide dogs are welcome in the auditorium, although staff can dog-sit if you prefer. There are two disabled spaces in Box A but no access for electric wheelchairs or scooters.

Wyndham’s Theatre tickets

We’re a trusted destination for a wide variety of seat types and prices, with excellent availability on the full range of Wyndham’s Theatre tickets.