The London Palladium is the world’s most famous theatre. Built by Walter Gibbons in 1910, The London Palladium is the home of variety and has a seating capacity of 2286. From Madonna and Cliff Richard to Dawn French and Sylvester Stallone, The Palladium in London has featured a truly eclectic mix of entertainment over the years. With resident musicals, one-off concerts, pantos and TV specials alike, this famous West End theatre has something to please everyone. True to its reputation as the home of variety, this West End theatre has hosted the Royal Variety Performance 43 times, with members of the Royal Family in regular attendance.
The rich tapestry of acts at The London Palladium includes the hilarious Two Ronnies, daring illusionist Harry Houdini and Nicole Scherzinger as Grizabella in a brand new run of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats in 2014. There aren’t many famous names in entertainment that haven’t appeared at The Palladium over the years. Frank Sinatra, Robbie Williams, Bruce Forsyth, Bob Dylan, Whoopi Goldberg, Coldplay, Dita Von Teese and Billy Ocean have all graced the stage at some point or other. The London Palladium also welcomed jazz legends Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway and Fats Waller to the stage in the 1930s. Laurel and Hardy have made memorable comic appearances and Sir Elton John received the first ever Brit Icon Award during an on-screen concert at The London Palladium.
Located in London’s West End in the famous area of Soho, close to our Mercure Hyde Park hotel in Paddington, The London Palladium is a Grade II listing building which retains many of its original architectural features to complement its stunning performances. Refurbished in 2011, The London Palladium revealed its extensive renovation of box office facilities, significantly increasing the comfort and space available. Theatre’s site was previously home to a Corinthian Bazaar, the National Ice Skating Palace and Hengler’s Grand Cirque, with its façade dating back to the 1800s.
By the 1950s, The London Palladium had acquired the name: ‘Ace Variety Theatre of the World’. Its huge fame drew talent from all over the globe but The Palladium also promoted British talent including Cilla Black, Norman Wisdom, Frankie Howerd, Tommy Steele, Shirley Bassey, Julie Andrews, Des O’Connor, Ken Dodd and Ronnie Corbett.
In the world premiere of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The London Palladium pioneered the new technology required to make a car fly. Proving just as popular as the 1968 film with 1414 performances, the musical holds the record as the longest-running show at The Palladium in London.
Some of the most lavish pantos ever seen have been held at this West End theatre; from Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Cinderella with Paul O’Grady and Julian Clary, to Dick Whittington with Elaine Paige and Snow White with Dawn French.
Andrew Lloyd Webber has been a big part of The Palladium’s history. His musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with Jason Donovan, and subsequently Phillip Schofield, was an instant success and Webber brought The London Palladium into the LW Theatres group in 2000.
At the theatre’s world-famous Stage Door on Great Marlborough Street, The London Palladium unveiled its Wall of Fame in 2018, featuring all the famous names to have performed there throughout its history.
Our hotel near Hyde Park is perfect for visiting The London Palladium. Check out our best London hotels deals to access your next London Palladium adventure!
The London Palladium
8 Argyll St, Soho, London W1F 7TF
Enquiries: +44 (0)20 7557 7300
