The Dominion Theatre, in the heart of central London, is well known for its stunning Art Deco design and amazing stage shows – and today, remains one of the most iconic theatres on London’s West End. Opened on October 3, 1929, this Grade II listed theatre was designed by architects William and T. R Millburn. Once the site of a brewery and funfair, it has become a popular spot for sold-out shows and unforgettable theatre experiences, attracting some of the biggest shows in the world.
Apart from the Art Deco elements, the theatre is noteworthy for its layout, giving every seat an uninterrupted view of the stage. Over the years, the theatre has changed ownership hands a few times and played many roles.
It’s hosted performances by Judy Garland and Dolly Parton, theatre productions like Beauty and the Beast, premiered movies from the Star Wars series and more. Today, only the lower two of its original three levels of seating are in use. Despite its reduced capacity, the theatre is still amongst the largest in London.
Background on Dominion Theatre
This theatre has a long history of entertaining Londoners. Besides being known as a music venue, it’s been a cinema and a variety hall. Here’s a quick look and its history
- 1929: The Dominion opened on October 3 with the capacity to seat 2,841 guests
- 1931: The theatre became a venue for feature films. It premiered Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights
- 1938: The theatre became the first place to see colour television broadcasts
- 1958: The Dominion gained recognition as a Roadshow Cinema
- 1986: The theatre returned to its musical roots and premiered Dave Clark’s Time
- 1992: Nederlander Organisation acquired the theatre. The iconic venue hosted the Royal Variety Performance. It went on to host the event for 6 more years.
- 2014: The theatre’s original art deco features were restored
- 2019: A modern, modular stage was built
Where is Dominion Theatre, and how do you get there?
The theatre occupies blocks 268-269 at the corner of Tottenham Court Road and New Oxford Street in central London. The entrance is from Tottenham Court Road. Getting here is easy.
- The Tottenham Court Road station and New Oxford Street station are the closest bus stops. Several buses stop here, including the 1, 8, 10, 14, 25, 55, 390, N8, N98 and N171.
- If you’re taking the tube, the Tottenham Court Road station is just opposite the road. The Northern, Central and Elizabeth lines stop here.
- Car parking is available at the YMCA on Great Russell Street and near Holborn Selkirk House on Museum Street.
What to expect when you visit Dominion Theatre?
The doors open 45 minutes before any show. If you like, you can pick up a drink at the bar. Don’t be late, or you may not be seated till the interval. You can carry cold snacks, bottled soft drinks, juice cartons and sweets into the venue.
Irrespective of each show’s age guidelines, children below the age of 15 years must be accompanied by adults. Assistance dogs are also welcome in the theatre. You can take them into the auditorium or leave them with staff.
The theatre has 2,069 seats across two levels, the Stalls and the Circle. When you’re booking tickets online note that seats in row A in the Stalls have the most legroom. Wheelchair-accessible seating is available at the Stall level. You can get Sennheiser radio receivers for a better audio experience if required.
What else can you do when you visit?
Shows at the Dominion Theatre are a great experience for guests of all ages. Arriving early allows you to admire the art deco façade, bespoke carpeting and the elegant Champagne bar.
Several good restaurants in the vicinity offer curated menus for theatre ticket holders. You can also time your show after a trip to the British Museum. Or a shopping session on Oxford Street.
FAQs
Does the theatre have a cloakroom?
Coats and luggage can be left in the cloakroom on the circle level. You will be charged £2 per item.
What is the theatre dress code?
The theatre has no dress code, but guests are expected to be smartly dressed. Note that the theatre is not air-conditioned.
Does the theatre have wheelchair-accessible toilets?
Both seating levels have toilets. Two toilets in the stall section have level access.
From tribute stage shows to Broadway productions, there’s always something exciting to look forward to at Dominion Theatre. One of its most epic shows is the rock production We Will Rock You – which has run for 12 straight years. As a Society of London Theatre venue, shows playing at the Dominion Theatre are all eligible for Olivier Awards. Who knows, the next show you see here could go on to be an award winner.
The entertainment isn’t all this theatre is known for. The multi-million-pound restoration in 2014 brought out the richness of its original Art Deco features while simultaneously giving the theatre a technical upgrade. Look up at the facade, and you’ll see an ornate stone with two gryphons and the iconic Freddie Mercury statue. Inside, the carpets have a bespoke design inspired by the theatre’s metalwork, wood and plaster details.
This truly is a venue as spectacular as the shows it bills. So, look at the shows being screened and plan your visit.