Theatre hire

Our theatre is the largest independent theatre in the West End and has been home for more than a century to an eclectic range of award-winning shows. Speak to one of our team about hosting an event within the Edwardian splendour of our Auditorium.

Seating up to 1,300 people across three levels, the timeless glamour of the auditorium’s Edwardian architecture provides the ideal backdrop for conferences, seminars, product launches and daytime events, when the resident production is not showing. Each level has its own bar and toilets, and every seat enjoys an uninterrupted view of the stage.

All events benefit from state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment, use of the stage to a depth of six metres, and some of the finest technical talent in the West End. We take a collaborative approach to ensuring that your performance is presented to the highest standards. Television, film, photographic and radio productions are also easily accommodated at the Shaftesbury Theatre, you can learn more about some of the shoots we’ve hosted in the past on our Filming page.

 

One-off Performances

The theatre is also available for one-off concerts, comedy, drama, dance or musicals on days when the resident production is not playing. Longer periods are available during dark periods between the resident productions.

 

Key features of Auditorium hires

 

  • Professional lighting system
  • PA system & speakers covering the whole Auditorium
  • Wheelchair accessible spaces in the stalls level, accessible toilets and bar space on the same level
  • In-house technicians & front of house staff (including bar staff and accessibility hosts)
  • Four fully stocked bars for pre-show and interval, or for use as catering/breakout spaces
  • Options for ticketing with our system and website
  • Audio described/captioned/BSL events available

 

Enquiries

To enquire about hiring the Theatre for concerts or shows, please email gbooker@shaftesburytheatre.com and for any requests around events or filming, please email events@shaftesburytheatre.com.

Technical Information

 

Stage floor

Flat Proscenium stage
Painted finish on MDF
For all hires the floor is covered with black ballet lino
Acting area is 6mm hardboard on 25mm or 1″ plywood

Proscenium opening – 9.75m

Height of proscenium – 8.96m

Height to underside of iron – 6.71m

Depth of stage (full stage) – 9.6m
Special events hire – 6.5m

Flying height – 15.7m

Grid construction – Steel frame

 

Location of dock door
Position – USL
Height above stage – 3.01m

 

Size of dock door
Width – 2.37m
Height – 3.65m

 

Wing space
Stage left width – 5.79m
Stage left depth – 4.5m
Stage right width – 5.48m
Stage right depth – 3.1m

 

Height under fly floors
SL – 7.4m
SR – 7.44m

Length of flying bars – 12m

Orchestra Pit not available for special event hires.

 

Additional items
1 lectern
Treads from stage to auditorium floor – subject to current production’s use of the orchestra pit.
Genie AMP 25S, ladders
3 Sets of legs of various sizes
3 borders of various sizes
1 Full Black

 

Number of dimmers
276

 

Lanterns
All lighting equipment is supplied by the main production producer. Use of equipment is subject to a charge and supervision – rigged moving lights are not available.

 

Follow spot position
Rear of Grand Circle – Use of equipment is subject to a charge and supervision.

 

Sound position
Rear of Stalls – Use of equipment is subject to a charge and supervision – radio mics are not available. An alternative position for a separate stand-alone desk is either in front of the current production desk or box B.

 

Additional power
Upstage left: 2 x 16A single phase power source, 2 x 63A three phase power source, 4 x 32A three phase power source, 1 x 125A three phase power source.

 

Communication system
Comms systems are supplied by the main production producer. Use of equipment is subject to charge and supervision. There are tie lines from stage to LX box and spot positions.