Novello Theatre
Aldwych, London WC2B 4LD, UKNovello Theatre is one of London’s most charming and historic West End venues, perfectly located in the heart of Theatreland near Covent Garden and the Strand. Renowned for its elegant Edwardian design and excellent sightlines, the Novello Theatre offers audiences an intimate and memorable setting to enjoy world-class London musicals. Over the years, this iconic theatre has hosted a wide range of acclaimed productions, making it a must-visit destination for both first-time visitors and seasoned theatre-goers.
Capacity: 1146 Seats
Novello Theatre Tickets
Booking Novello Theatre tickets is the easiest way to enjoy top West End musicals in one of London’s most elegant and centrally located theatres. Secure your tickets online to choose the best available seats, check show dates, and plan your visit with confidence.
What's On
Novello Theatre Seating Plan
The Novello Theatre seating plan is arranged across four main audience levels as Stalls, Dress Circle, Grand Circle, and Balcony, each offering a distinct perspective of the stage and catering to different viewing preferences. The Stalls are located on the lower ground floor and provide the closest views, making them ideal for audiences who want to feel fully immersed in the performance. Above, the Dress Circle on the first floor offers a balanced, panoramic sightline that is often considered one of the best overall viewing areas in the theatre. The Grand Circle on the second floor and the Balcony on the third floor provide elevated views, suitable for those who prefer a wider overview of the stage at more accessible price points.
The London Novello Theatre layout also includes wheelchair spaces, step-free street-level access, extra legroom seating, and areas suitable for patrons with limited mobility, helping visitors choose seats that best match their accessibility needs. While the plan is provided as a guide rather than an exact representation, it is a useful reference for understanding row layouts, seat numbering, and relative distances from the stage before booking.
The Novello Theatre has approximately 1,100 seats, giving the Novello Theatre capacity that places it among the larger venues in London’s West End while still retaining an intimate theatre-going experience.
Study the Novello Theatre seating map and select the perfect seats.
Where is the Novello Theatre?
Address: Aldwych, London, WC2B 4LD
Located in the heart of London’s West End on Aldwych, the London Novello Theatre is surrounded by iconic attractions, restaurants, and excellent public transport links, making it easy to reach from anywhere in the city. Thanks to its central setting, the Novello Theatre location is ideal for combining a theatre visit with dining, sightseeing, or an evening out in Covent Garden and Strand.
Plan Your Visit
By Train: The nearest mainline train station is Charing Cross Station, which is within easy walking distance of the theatre and offers convenient connections from across London and the UK.
By Tube: The closest Underground stations are Covent Garden Underground Station, Charing Cross Underground Station, and Holborn Underground Station, all just a short walk away and served by multiple tube lines for straightforward access.
By Bus: Several bus routes stop near the theatre, including services 6, 11, 15, and 26, making bus travel a practical option from many parts of central London.
By Car: Drivers can use the nearby Q-Park Theatreland, which offers 50% off parking after midday for up to four hours, or choose NCP Drury Lane for additional parking close to the Novello Theatre.
The Novello Theatre offers a wide range of accessibility services to ensure an inclusive and comfortable theatre experience for all visitors, with trained staff available to assist throughout your visit.
Audio Described Performances: Audio described performances feature a live verbal commentary explaining key visual elements such as action, staging, costumes, and facial expressions, helping audiences fully follow the story. Touch tours are also available before selected performances, allowing visitors to explore the set and stage environment in advance.
British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreted Performances: BSL-interpreted shows include a qualified interpreter positioned clearly on stage, translating spoken and musical elements of the performance into British Sign Language.
Captioned Performances: At captioned performances, dialogue and lyrics are displayed on screens positioned near the stage, synchronised with the action so audiences can read the text as it is spoken or sung.
Hearing Enhancement Aids: All Delfont Mackintosh theatres, including Novello Theatre, are equipped with Auracast assistive listening technology, providing full-auditorium coverage. Auracast receivers are available from the cloakroom and can be used with provided headphones or a personal induction loop, while compatible hearing devices can connect directly via Bluetooth.
Wheelchair Access: Wheelchair access is available via a wheelchair lift at the Catherine Street entrance. Dedicated wheelchair spaces are located in the Dress Circle, with options for both wheelchair users and patrons who can transfer to a seat. The lift supports a maximum seated weight of 300kg, with size limits that may affect some electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters, and an in-house manual wheelchair can be provided if required.
Accessible Toilets: An accessible toilet is located on the Dress Circle level and is step-free from Row A. Standard toilets are available on all levels of the theatre, and staff are happy to assist with directions.
Assistance Dogs: Assistance dogs are welcome in the auditorium, and theatre staff can also look after dogs during the performance if preferred.
Accessible Parking: While the theatre itself does not have on-site parking, disabled parking bays are available nearby on Tavistock Street and Wellington Street.
For any additional support, the theatre’s dedicated access host is on hand to provide guidance and assistance before and during your visit.
The Novello Theatre bag policy allows guests to leave coats and small bags in the on-site cloakroom for a small charge, but larger bags and suitcases are not permitted inside the theatre. For visitors carrying bigger items, the theatre partners with Stasher, which offers convenient pre-booked luggage storage at nearby hotels and shops within easy walking distance.
There is no strict Novello Theatre dress code, with guests welcome to wear anything from casual outfits to smart casual or formal attire, though comfortable clothing and a light jacket are recommended for evening performances.
At the Novello Theatre, outside food and drink are not permitted, but the theatre bars offer a selection of drinks and light snacks for purchase, with hot food not available.
Visitors looking for places to eat near Novello Theatre are spoilt for choice, with a wide range of dining options just a short walk away before or after a show. Popular restaurants near Novello Theatre include Christopher’s for refined American cuisine, Balthazar for classic French brasserie dishes, Clos Maggiore for romantic fine dining, Dishoom Covent Garden for much-loved Indian flavours, and The Ivy Market Grill for dependable British and international favourites, making it easy to plan a memorable pre- or post-theatre meal.
If you’re planning an overnight stay, there are many excellent hotels near Novello Theatre within walking distance, making it easy to enjoy a West End show without worrying about late travel. Popular nearby options include The Savoy for luxury accommodation on the Strand, Strand Palace Hotel for modern comfort just minutes away, ME London for stylish riverside views, Covent Garden Hotel for boutique charm, and Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street, offering a convenient and comfortable base close to the theatre and Covent Garden.
The Novello Theatre's box office generally opens 2.5 hours before showtime, closing 15 mins after curtain, remaining open between matinees; phone lines run Mon-Sat, 10am-7:30pm, and while the theatre's bars open about 45 mins before, arriving 30 mins early is recommended for entry, with shows (like Mamma Mia!) often at 7:30pm (Mon-Sat) and matinees at 3pm (Thu, Sat).
About Novello Theatre
History
The Novello Theatre opened in 1905 as the Waldorf Theatre, designed by W. G. R. Sprague as part of a matched pair with the Aldwych Theatre, and quickly became a prominent West End venue for opera, drama, and comedy. Renamed several times in its early years, it became the Strand Theatre in 1913 and gained a reputation for resilience and artistic importance, continuing performances during both the First World War and the Blitz, while also hosting landmark productions such as Anna Christie and the record-breaking comedy Arsenic and Old Lace in the 1940s.
A defining chapter in London Novello Theatre history came in 2005, when the venue was renamed in honour of composer and actor Ivor Novello, who lived above the theatre for decades, following a major refurbishment and its reopening with a Royal Shakespeare Company season. Since then, the theatre has continued to play a major role in the West End, staging acclaimed productions and long-running hits, most notably MAMMA MIA!, which transferred to the theatre in 2012 and has since become one of London’s most successful and enduring musicals.
Productions
Over more than a century, the Novello Theatre has hosted some of the West End’s most celebrated and long-running productions, shaping its reputation as a home for major theatrical hits. Landmark shows include the record-breaking comedy Arsenic and Old Lace, the hugely successful Sailor Beware!, Stephen Sondheim’s UK premiere of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and the iconic farce No Sex Please – We’re British, which ran for over a decade, while later highlights range from Buddy and The Rat Pack to acclaimed Royal Shakespeare Company seasons and, most notably, MAMMA MIA!, which has played to millions of audiences since transferring to the theatre in 2012 and remains its most famous modern production.
Facilities
- Bars
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Accessible Toilets
- Assistance Dogs
- Hearing Assistance
- Cloakroom
- Washrooms
- Security Check
- Air Conditioning
- Souvenir Shops
FAQ
The Novello Theatre first opened in 1905, making it over 120 years old today.
The nearest train station to Novello Theatre is Charing Cross Station, which is just a short walk away and provides convenient mainline connections across London and the UK.
Many theatre-goers consider the Novello Theatre best seats to be in the front rows of the Dress Circle, which offer a balanced, elevated view of the stage without missing key details.
If you lose an item at the Novello Theatre, you should contact customer services by email as soon as possible, as lost property is kept at the theatre for up to one month.
Some of the best cheap hotels near Novello Theatre with parking include Travelodge London Covent Garden and Premier Inn London Holborn, both offering affordable stays with nearby parking options or partner car parks within walking distance.
To book Novello Theatre tickets at the best price, it’s recommended to buy in advance from official ticket sellers, compare seat prices across performances, and look out for midweek shows or limited-time offers.