Criterion Theatre
Criterion Theatre Piccadilly Circus, London W1V 9LB
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| Venue: | Criterion Theatre |
| Address: | Piccadilly Circus, London W1V 9LB |
| Seating Plan: | View Seating Plan |
| Location Map: | View Location Map |
| Underground: | Piccadilly Circus or Leicester Square. |
| Total Seats: | 591 |
| No of Bars: | 2 |
| No of Food Point: | 1 |
| Parking Instrctions: | NCP Whitcomb Street |
| Guide Dogs: | Guide dogs are allowed into the auditorium. Staff are available to dog-sit for 2 dogs per performance in the theatre manager’s office. |
| Infra Red: | Loop system available in all parts of the auditorium. Occasional sign language interpreted performances |
| Wheelchair Access: | Wheelchair/scooter users should inform the Box Office in advance and come to the entrance in Jermyn Street, to the left of the stage door. There is a slight slope with handrails on both sides to the back of the Upper Circle. 2 spaces for wheelchair users next to C20. You cannot see a small part of the stage. Scooter users can access the venue, but have to be transferred. Transfer seating is available for wheelchair users and 1 scooter to aisle seats in Upper and Dress Circles. Each wheelchair user must bring a nondisabled companion. |
| Toilet: | Adapted toilet on your right on the way to the Upper Circle from the Jermyn Street entrance. |
| Steps: | Main entrance up a 15cm step from the pavement, through swing doors. All staircases have handrails on both sides and steps are highlighted. From the foyer there are 25 steps down and then 6 up to the Upper Circle: 32 steps down to the Dress Circle (1 step between rows); 51 steps down to Stalls. |
| Air Conditioning: | Yes |
| Owner: | ACT |
In 1870 following the acquisition of the White Bear Inn site, and adjoining properties between Jermyn Street and Piccadilly Circus, caterers Spiers and Pond commissioned
Thomas Verity to design a new development consisting of a large restaurant, dining
rooms, ballroom, and galleried concert hall. Having commenced building work it was decided to alter the proposed concert hall, (though retaining the composers names which still line the tiled staircases to this day), to a theatre which opened in 1874.
In the 1970's the whole of the Criterion site was proposed for redevelopment, which caused much protest as people feared the theatre would be lost. In the end the theatre closed from 1989, until it reopened in October 1992. Having undergone major refurbishment both back, and front of house, The Criterion retains an almost perfectly preserved Victorian auditorium, with all the intimacy and atmosphere that make the building a pleasure to both visit and work in.
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