Theatre Census: West End shows from past decades

Once in a decade, the British public are asked to fill out the Census, a nationwide survey which provides government with information for future resources. But, the Census can also be a nugget of history; a complete snapshot of one whole day in every ten years. 

As well as the Census detailing where people live and their occupations, the Census can be a base for seeing changing development. The West End is definitely everchanging too, with shows opening and closing across the capital. 

Inspired by the upcoming Census on 21 March 2021, we take a look at how West End theatres would have been recorded in previous census', which were recorded on 27 March 2011, 29 April 2001 and 21 April 1991 respectively. If a theatre does not have a show by a certain year, it means that the theatre was not open then, or had renovation works undergoing. 

Adelphi Theatre

2011: Love Never Dies
2001: Chicago
1991: Me and My Girl

Aldwych Theatre

2011: Dirty Dancing
2001: The Secret Garden
1991: Coriolanus

Ambassadors Theatre

2011: Stomp
2001: Mill On The Floss
1991: My Lovely..Shayna Maidel

Apollo Theatre

2011: Blithe Spirit
2001: Fallen Angels
1991: Don't Dress For Dinner

Apollo Victoria Theatre

2011: Wicked
2001: Starlight Express 
1991: Starlight Express 

Arts Theatre

2011: Eve Ferret Sings

Cambridge Theatre

2011: Chicago
2001: The Beautiful Game
1991: Return to the Forbidden Planet

Criterion Theatre

2011: The 39 Steps
2001: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) 

Dominion Theatre

2011: We Will Rock You
2001: Notre Dame de Paris 

Duchess Theatre

2001: Blue/Orange
1991: Run For Your Wife

Duke of York's Theatre

2011: Ghost Stories
2001: Stones in His Pockets

Fortune Theatre

2011: The Woman in Black
2001: The Woman in Black
1991: The Woman in Black

Garrick Theatre

2011: The Hurly Burly Show
2001: An Inspector Calls
1991: The Rehearsal

Gielgud Theatre

2011: The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
2001: The Graduate
1991: Man of the Moment

Gillian Lynne Theatre

2011: War Horse
2001: Cats
1991: Cats

Harold Pinter Theatre

2011: The Children's Hour
2001: Ghosts
1991: The Homecoming

Her Majesty's Theatre

2011: The Phantom of the Opera
2001: The Phantom of the Opera
1991: The Phantom of the Opera

London Palladium

2011: The Wizard of Oz
2001: The King and I
1991: Showboat

Lyceum Theatre

2011: The Lion King 
2001: The Lion King 

Lyric Theatre

2011: Thriller
2001: Barbara Cook Sings Mostly Sondheim
1991: Five Guys Named Moe

Noel Coward Theatre

2011: Million Dollar Quartet
2001: A Midsummer Nights Dream
1991: As You Like It

Novello Theatre

2011: Betty Blue Eyes
2001: Buddy
1991: Revengers' Comedies

Palace Theatre

2011: Priscilla Queen of the Desert
2001: Les Miserables
1991: Les Miserables

Phoenix Theatre

2011: Blood Brothers 
2001: Blood Brothers 

Piccadilly Theatre

2011: Grease
2001: Shockheaded Peter
1991: The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Playhouse Theatre

2011: Dreamboats and Petticoats
1991: The Rose Tattoo

Prince Edward Theatre

2011: Jersey Boys
2001: Mamma Mia!

Prince of Wales Theatre

2011: Mamma Mia!
2001: The Witches of Eastwick
1991: Aspects of Love

Savoy Theatre

2011: Legally Blonde
2001: The Pirates of Penzance 

Shaftesbury Theatre

2001: Baddiel and Skinner: Unplanned
1991: Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell

Sondheim Theatre

2011: Les Miserables
2001: The Tamer Tamed
1991: Waiting for Godot

St. Martin's Theatre

2011: The Mousetrap
2001: The Mousetrap
1991: The Mousetrap

Theatre Royal Drury Lane

2011: Shrek the Musical
2001: Bolshoi Ballet
1991: Miss Saigon

Theatre Royal Haymarket

2011: Flare Path
2001: Japes 

Vaudeville Theatre

2011: In A Forest Dark and Deep
2001: God Only Knows
1991: Re: Joyce!

Victoria Palace Theatre

2011: Billy Elliot
2001: Fame
1991: Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story

Wyndham's Theatre

2011: Clybourne Park
2001: Art
1991: What The Butler Saw