Learn all about London's West End and Off-West End venues

What is the difference between West End and Off-West End, and which shows can you see in each? Get all your questions answered in our handy guide.

What makes the London theatre scene so special is the sheer variety of shows on offer. Whether you’re after a musical or a play, a new production or a classic, experimental drama or feel-good family fun, the capital has you covered.

We wouldn’t have that range without the different venues and venue types, which are divided into two main groups: West End and Off-West End. You’ll mainly find splashy shows like Wicked and The Book of Mormon in the former camp, and intriguing new work springing up in the latter – some of which will eventually transfer over.

So, if you’re planning a London theatre trip and trying to figure out which show is right for you, read on for our guide to West End and Off-West End venues – from history to location to accessibility.

What is the West End?

The West End is a roughly defined area of central London where you find the majority of the city's major theatres – along with tons of great restaurants, bars, cafes, pubs, shops, and other cultural attractions like art galleries and museums.

The term “West End” came into common use in the early 19th century, and is now generally used to describe streets and districts such as Soho, Covent Garden, Oxford Street, the Strand, Trafalgar Square, Shaftesbury Avenue, and Leicester Square.

Essentially, if you look at a map of London, it’s a rectangular area north of the river extending up as far as Fitzrovia and between Mayfair (in the west) and Farringdon (in the east).

Which are the most famous West End theatres?

There are around 39 West End theatres in total, dating back to 1663, when the oldest, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, was founded. However, most of the buildings are from the Victorian era and have been carefully refurbished since to keep them in use, restoring elements like their iconic red velvet seats to their former glory.

Most of them are owned by major producers or commercial companies, including Andrew Lloyd Webber’s LW Theatres (such as the Gillian Lynne Theatre, His Majesty’s Theatre and the London Palladium), and Cameron Mackintosh’s Delfont Mackintosh Theatres (such as the Gielgud Theatre, the Novello Theatre and the Sondheim Theatre).

There is also Nica Burns’s Nimax Theatres (such as the Duchess Theatre, the Vaudeville Theatre and the Garrick Theatre), plus ATG Entertainment and the Nederlander Organization.

These West End theatres are home to spectacular, large-scale shows like Wicked, Les Misèrables and The Phantom of the Opera, so it’s definitely the best choice if you want that epic experience. But you’ll also find everything from comedy (like The Play That Goes Wrong) to family fare (like Matilda).

Most of these venues are long-established, but the newest is the fantastic Soho Place venue, established in 2022 right by Tottenham Court Road Tube station.

Which are the most famous Off-West End theatres?

Off-West End is a broader category than West End. As the name suggests, it could theoretically be applied to anything outside of the central West End area. Here, though, we’re defining it by the major venues which influence the theatre conversation with their unmissable shows, despite not being West End – though many of their productions go on to become West End or international hits – as opposed to the wider fringe theatre scene.

This category, crucially, includes venues which are government-subsidised instead of commercial, which means they can take greater risks with their theatre programming. The leader of the pack is the National Theatre, situated on the south bank of the river – as is the specialist venue Shakespeare’s Globe.

There’s also the small-but-mighty Donmar Warehouse, which is actually in the West End area, close to Covent Garden, but isn’t technically defined as a West End theatre. Further north, in trendy Islington, is the Almeida Theatre. There’s also the current home of Starlight Express, the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, just by Wembley Arena.

The Lyric Hammersmith is a west London favourite, and the Royal Court, in stylish Sloane Square, is the home of new writing. Close together, near Waterloo station, is a perfect pair: the Old Vic and the Young Vic – and nearby, in Southwark, is the musical powerhouse the Menier Chocolate Factory. Just slightly further south, right beside Tower Bridge, you’ll find a newcomer, the Bridge Theatre.

You can often catch the next big hit, with an A-list cast, all at a lower price, by heading to one of these venues. For example, Off-West End audiences at the Menier were the first to experience the Merrily We Roll Along revival that took both the West End and Broadway (and the Tony Awards) by storm.

That’s why it’s definitely worth seeing Off-West End shows as well as the West End ones. You never know what treasure you might find – and you get bragging rights for catching it early!

How do West End and Off-West End venues vary in size?

There’s actually a huge range in both cases. The West End has everything from the Palladium, with a seating capacity of 2,286, and the Apollo Victoria (2,328), down to the Ambassadors Theatre (450), the Fortune Theatre (440) and the Arts Theatre (350).

Off-West End theatres can also be large – such as the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, a former TV studio, at 2,000 – but are mostly mid-size or smaller, such as the Bridge Theatre at about 900 seats down to the Almeida at 325.

Nearly all West End theatres have a proscenium arch configuration, which means seating facing the stage – and they can’t be moved. The exception is Soho Place: That is a flexible modern venue, so it can have different configurations, like seating the audience around the stage.

Off-West End venues often have that flexibility, too. The Donmar Warehouse can be arranged in various configurations, often with the audience very close to or even immersed in the action, and so can the Bridge Theatre. That’s what makes the Bridge’s current production of Guys & Dolls so exciting.

The National Theatre has three different theatre spaces: the fan-like Olivier (about 1,100 seats), the proscenium arch Lyttelton (890), and the flexible Dorfman (up to 450). That means a fantastic range not just of work, but of staging styles and experiences, all within one building.

Are West End and Off-West End venues accessible?

Certain West End theatres, due to their age, are not completely accessible to wheelchair users on all levels. If in doubt, contact the venue ahead of your trip to get the latest information.

Again a big exception here is the modern Soho Place theatre, which is wonderfully accessible to both patrons and performers. In fact, some shows have made a real virtue of that, such as new musical The Little Big Things.

Off-West End venues tend to be more accessible, since many buildings were established more recently. There is usually an access team or representative at the theatre who you can speak to ahead of your visit.

However, it’s worth noting that all producers have made improvements recently to become more accessible in their performance offering, so you’ll often find captioned, BSL-signed, relaxed or audio-described shows on particular dates. London Theatre will list all access performances on a show's page.

Can you take kids to West End and Off-West End venues?

Yes to both, although it does depend on the individual show and venue. You can find shows' age recommendations on London Theatre booking pages, as well as any information about age limits – for example, some shows might not admit children under a certain age. For example, The Lion King has an age recommendation of 6+, and children under 3 are not permitted to enter the theatre.

There are plenty of fantastic shows aimed directly at children, and they are ideal to give young theatregoers their first experience, as well as family-friendly productions which suit everyone from kids up to grandparents.

So, explore both the brilliant West End and Off-West End – and get booking!

Photo credits: Johan Persson, Pamela Raith Photography