A short step away from the main strip of West End theatres, the Playhouse's stylish curved facade is rather lost among the towering architecture of Charing Cross and Embankment. If the exterior is a little too restrained however, the same cannot be said for the auditorium, which is a sumptuous tribute to theatrical excess. A cream colour scheme is obscured by giant murals, statues and a mountain of gold inlay. The boxes are supported by caryatids, the house lights are on three-meter golden pillars, while the carved balustrades twist and turn like snakes. Sadly none of this glorious excess was ever seen by the bulk of the audience for the Playhouse Theatre's most famous shows. Hancock's Half Hour and and The Goon Show were both recorded here, along with a host of other BBC Radio shows. Since the BBC left in 1975, the Playhouse has struggled to establish itself as a major West End venue. Hits, like the Almeida'sNaked starring Juliet Binoche and the National Theatre'sAn Inspector Calls have been matched by an equal number of flops and the theatre has changed hands many times. The transfer of the Menier'sLa Cage aux Folles is currently doing wonders for its reputation.
What's on at
Playhouse Theatre
La Cage aux Folles 20th October 2008 - 9th January 2010 Georges and Albin are a happy couple, living above the...
La Cage aux Folles
Playhouse Theatre, WC2N 5DE
Until 9th January 2010
Georges and Albin are a happy couple, living above the St. Tropez nightclub La Cage aux... More
As You Desire Me
21 October 2005 - 22 January 2006
Kristin Scott Thomas ('Four Weddings and a Funeral', 'The English Patient', 'Gosford Park') returns to... More
Dancing in the Streets
Northumberland Avenue, WC2N
It's hard to believe these days with the US Urban scene dominating our charts, but there was a time when... More
This famous Grade II listed Victorian railway hotel has been totally refurbished, from the bars and restaurants to all 239 rooms, providing every modern convenience ... More
The headline is "Lenny Henry plays Othello" and his stage presence, acting, number of laughs, diction, even his opinions on Shakespeare, have all been discussed ...More
Standing solemnly in the middle of Whitehall, visitors could be forgiven for passing the Cenotaph by unnoticed. But every November it becomes the focus of ... More
From budding Harry Potters and bumbling Tommy Coopers to dynamic David Copperfields, Davenports is a haven for magicians of every level and ability. Non-magicians too ... More
It's a problem. How to get a healthy, tasty lunch. We're swamped in McDonald's and Pret a Manger, but finally our search for something different, ... More
The National Gallery's National Dining Rooms restaurant won Time Out's Best British Restaurant Award in 2007 for good reasons - they do all sorts of ... More
The Courtauld is one of the most prestigious art schools in the country, affiliated with the Oxbridge system and boasting a huge private location and ... More
Imperial College London is the foremost medical training faculty in the country but for non-medical graduates wishing for a change of career, King’s is the ... More
This day spa exclusively for women is a total pampering experience from the minute you step through the door. Located in bustling Covent Garden you'll ... More
Before it was a hip private members' club designed specifically for the creative industries - complete with bar and dining rooms, cinema, TV and recording ... More
Part Victorian pub, part museum dedicated to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous sleuth.
Thirsty Sherlock Holmes fans look no further than this homage to the ... More
This
was once a sleazy Soho strip club, as the name suggests, and it really
shows. Deep reds are the dominant colour, with mirrors, booths and
velvet curtains ... More
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A short step away from the main strip of 
