Old Vic Theatre

Map & Directions
Photos & Video

The Old Vic Theatre has featured superb performances for nearly 200 years

Front facade of the Old Vic Theatre cc licensed photo by Peter Broster

The Old Vic Theatre was first established in 1818 at which time it was called the Royal Coburg Theatre. In 1880 it changed ownership and became the Royal Victoria Hall. Beginning in 1914 the theatre began running a series of Shakespeare plays. Heavily damaged by the air raids of 1940, the theatre was re-opened in 1950.

The Old Vic Theatre Company was established in 1929. In 1963 the company was dissolved and replaced by the National Theatre Company which played at the Old Vic until opening their own theatre across the river in 1976. The Old Vic continued to host both classic and new dramas. In 1985 it benefited from a substantial restoration. In the year 2000 the building was purchased by a charitable trust.

Well known American actor Kevin Spacey has been the artistic director of the new Old Vic Theatre Company since 2003, bringing new life and a mixture of British and American talent to the stage. He personally appears in one or two shows each year.

The Old Vic can accommodate an audience of a little over 1000 guests. For more information about the Old Vic Theatre as well as shows and schedules visit their official website link above.

Facts For Your Visit

Fee: Yes

Currently Closed

Hours This Week:

Monday: 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Address: The Cut, South Bank, London SE1 8NB, UK

Phone: 0844 871 7628

Official Website: Old Vic Theatre

Map of nearby accommodations: Booking.com

Directions

Tube Line	Nearest Station	Walking Time
Northern and Jubilee and Bakerloo Lines	Waterloo	5 Minutes

How to get to Old Vic Theatre by Tube

From Waterloo Station exit onto Waterloo Road and go to your right (south). The Old Vic Theatre is a short walk ahead on the southeast corner of Waterloo Road and The Cut.

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Reviews

Rated 4.7 out of 5 The Old Vic Star Rating

American Clock was great. Excellent performances from all. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Seating was great too. I would say great views from any seat. I have one negative comment however. I appreciate that the theatre is being renovated, and I live in Central London so I'm used to the normal state of the roads etc, but as I exited out onto Waterloo Rd the smell of old urine or rotten fish heads (not sure which) that hit was absolutely overwhelming. Im sure it is not the theatres, fault but think you should try and resolve this problem. I'm sure I'm not the only patron who caught a choking whiff! Thank you

Christine Bell - 2 days ago

This is a great gem to come to for late night drinks when in the south bank. :) Very cool.. the bar downstairs is awesome. I haven't mentioned the theatre ... :)

Rishi Anand - 14 days ago

We saw a Christmas story here and it was spectacular! The seating threw me off when I was booking the tickets, but it was wonderful for the show. It seemed like everyone in the theatre had a great seat. Would love to come back and see another show here.

Carly Overman - 1 month ago

Best thing we have done and seen on our visit, A Christmas Carol. If you have chance to go before it finishes don't hesitate. Next time we are in London we will be checking out if it's on again. Would never tire of this performance as for the theatre, beautiful, not too big and I would say wherever you are seated you will have a good view of the stage.

stan davis - 1 month ago

We went to watch a production of a Christmas Carol. It was a very powerful, extremely accomplished and very enjoyable performance. One of the best we had seen in a very long while. But this is meant to be a review of the Old Vic itself. It's a very nice building, the performing space itself not being very big. It's hard to comment on the seating arrangements as the space had been reconfigured to suit the production (seats arranged around the stage, which was spread out in the middle of the room). However, if what we saw was typical of the productions at the venue, and we have every reason to believe it is, then we would heartily recommend the Old Vic for its choice of production values and accomplishment. The ushers are friendly and helpful, as are security staff who check your bags (they usually are at theaters). We didn't use the toilets (two sets, one on lower ground floor and the other on the third floor) nor did we try out the drinks (looked crowded, so we went across the road for a great coffee at an independent). All in all, a very good experience. We shall be returning!

Juliet Golf - 1 month ago

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