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Ultimate guide to the London Coliseum
The London Coliseum is one of the most recognisable and famous theatres in the West End. It's also the largest theatre in the capital, offering a huge space for staging epic opera productions, dance and theatre shows. Find out more about the Coliseum London, including its storied history, what shows are on, and all about London Coliseum seating and booking London Coliseum tickets.
History of the venue
The Coliseum Theatre London first opened on St Martin's Lane in the West End in December 1904, although it was originally called the London Coliseum Theatre of Varieties. It was designed by the celebrated theatre architect Frank Matcham, and the intent was to create the finest music hall of the age – the 'people's palace of entertainment'.
It took a while for the venue to find its true purpose; in the meantime, the owners experimented with everything from plays, operettas and variety acts to hosting a cricket match. Musicals proved a big hit from the 1940s onwards. In 1968, the Sadler's Wells Opera Company (later the English National Opera) moved into the London Coliseum.
What's on at the London Coliseum
The Coliseum is now the official home of the English National Opera (ENO) and English National Ballet (ENB), so their shows make up the bulk of the programming. It also regularly stages large-scale musicals during the summer. In 2025, for example, the London Coliseum is hosting the ravishing stage musical version of The Great Gatsby.
Current and upcoming shows
The Great Gatsby is currently playing at the Coliseum. This spectacular stage musical version of F. Scott Fitzgerald's seminal novel was a sensation on Broadway and is the perfect fit for this spectacular venue.
Upcoming shows include ENO's productions of Rossini's Cinderella, Bizet's Carmen, Benjamin Britten's Albert Herring, and Handel's Partenope.
Dance productions include ENB's gorgeous family Christmas show, Nutcracker, and Akram Khan's spine-tingling version of mystical ballet Giselle.
Past events
The London Coliseum has seen a number of extraordinary ENO opera productions and ENB dance productions over the years, as well as musicals such as Queen's We Will Rock You, classic musical My Fair Lady, and the joyful Hairspray and On Your Feet.
What you need to know about booking London Coliseum tickets
It's simple to find the best seats at the Coliseum and make the most of your visit.
How to book online
Visit Telegraph Tickets to find all the latest shows playing at the Coliseum. Once you've chosen your preferred show, select the date you want to go and choose your seats on the seating map. You can find images on the show page too if you want to see London Coliseum photos.
The Coliseum has four seating sections. The stalls are closest to the stage and offer the most excitingly immersive experience. The dress circle gives you a slightly different vantage point from above the stage and also offers excellent views. Higher up are the upper circle and balcony, which still offer great seats but, if price is a consideration, this is where you'll find cheap tickets.
Accessibility at the London Coliseum
The Coliseum has plenty of assistance for people with additional needs, as well as accessible seating options. There are wheelchair spaces in the stalls, dress circle and stalls boxes, and transfer seats in the dress circle and balcony. There are adapted unisex toilets and two lifts provide access to the venue's bars and restaurants.
Age restrictions
Each show's page on the Telegraph Tickets site offers helpful information about age restrictions. For example, if you're booking tickets for Nutcracker at the Coliseum, you can see that the show is recommended for ages five and above.
Refunds and exchanges
Tickets purchased through Telegraph Tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded after you have made your purchase, unless the performance is cancelled or rescheduled. In that case, you will be entitled to claim a refund.
Theatre capacity
The London Coliseum has a seating capacity of 2,359. The venue also boasts the widest proscenium arch in the West End, and it's worth a visit purely to see this beautifully conceived building, although the extravagant shows are clearly the main draw.
Planning your visit
To make your visit to the Coliseum as smooth and enjoyable as possible, it's worth planning ahead.
Where is the London Coliseum?
The Coliseum is on St Martin's Lane, London WC2N, in the heart of the West End. It's surrounded by other venues that light up this world-renowned theatre district.
It's very easy to combine a theatre trip with other sightseeing or cultural activities, whether that's a visit to Leicester Square or Trafalgar Square, to the National Gallery or National Portrait Gallery, or areas like Chinatown, Covent Garden and Piccadilly Circus. There are numerous restaurants, pubs, bars and cafés within walking distance, as well as plenty of excellent transport links.
How to get there: directions and transport
Plot the best route to the London Coliseum via public transport by visiting the Transport for London website, which includes the underground train system (Tube), overground trains, buses, walking routes with maps, and more. Make sure you leave plenty of time for entering the theatre and having your bag checked (in line with the venue's bag policy), as well as buying a drink and programme, and then finding your seat.
Nearest Tube station
The closest Tube station to the Coliseum is Leicester Square, which is on the Northern Line and Piccadilly Line and is only a couple of minutes' walk from the theatre. Charing Cross Station is also very close by. It serves the Northern Line, Bakerloo Line and mainline train services.
Other forms of public transport
Numerous bus and overground train routes take you to the West End. You can also rent a bike through the Santander Cycles scheme if you are a confident cyclist, and it's also pleasant to walk around the area and enjoy this bustling part of London.
Places to stay
The centre of London has plenty of hotels to suit every preference and budget. Hotels close to the Coliseum include The Savoy, Premier Inn, Radisson Blu, The Dilly, The Cavendish, Strand Palace, The Z Hotel, St Giles London, The Clermont, and The Waldorf Hilton.
Dining suggestions
You can enjoy a pre- or post-theatre meal at one of the West End's excellent dining spots. And the Coliseum itself has fantastic food options, including a luxurious afternoon tea. Nearby, Covent Garden has dozens of high-quality eateries and, if you're a fan of Asian cuisine, make a bee-line for London's superb Chinatown district.
FAQs
How big is the London Coliseum?
The Coliseum has a capacity of 2,359 across four sections: the stalls, the dress circle, the upper circle and the balcony. It's the largest theatre in London and has the biggest proscenium arch, so watching shows here is a spectacular experience.
This huge space allows directors to stage ambitious productions with big casts and orchestras, making it one of the best venues in London to experience a full-scale opera, ballet or musical.
Does the London Coliseum have air conditioning?
The Coliseum has an effective air-cooling system for the comfort of the performers and audience.
Does the London Coliseum have a dress code?
There is no set London Coliseum dress code, so you are free to wear whatever you wish. However, in such a majestic setting, you might want to wear a dress or smart trousers to add to the fun of the occasion.
What time should I arrive before a show?
The Coliseum opens its doors 75 minutes before the show begins, so you're very welcome to arrive early, soak up the atmosphere of this wonderful building, buy a programme, and have a drink in one of the bars (which also open 75 minutes ahead of showtime). The auditorium opens 30 minutes before curtain up.
The venue recommends that you arrive no later than 15 minutes before the show begins, so that you're not in a rush to find your seat and get settled. Note that the theatre will get very busy just before the show so, if you want to avoid the rush, try to get there earlier.
