The Old Vic

One of London's most famous theatres, The Old Vic presents an exciting and eclectic programme of new writing, classic plays, musicals and children’s productions.

The theatre has had a fascinating history with several incarnations. It first began life in the Victorian era as a musical hall and a notorious drinking den, then later operated as an opera house. Before the National Theatre was constructed on the Queen’s Walk in the 1970s, The Old Vic was the home of the National Theatre Company led by Laurence Olivier and many British theatrical heroes such as John Gielgud, Judi Dench and Maggie Smith made their debuts here.

Today the theatre continues to win awards for its innovative productions and typically stages several new productions a year ranging from new plays to classic revivals and new musicals, while the theatre's annual production of A Christmas Carol has become a well-established icon of London's festive season theatre lineup.

Theatre seating and refreshments

The 1,000-seat theatre has three seating areas set over three floors; the stalls, the Dress Circle, and up in the gods is the Bayliss Circle. Each floor of the building has its own bar and in the basement level (where there is also access to the stalls) is the late-night bar which stays open after shows.