PIN Duke of Yorks Theatre

Part of the fabric of Trafalgar Square

The Duke of York`s Theatre is a London West End Theatre in St Martin`s Lane, in the City of Westminster. The Duke of York’s Theatre was built for Frank Wyatt and his wife, Violet Melnotte, who retained ownership of the theatre, until her death in 1935.

The Duke of York’s Theatre regularly puts on many prestigious productions and over the years these have provided it with a large following who relish in the performances of some it’s famous visiting performers. Its history has been defined by the wealth of shows that it has staged, including the premieres of some of the best known stories in the theatre world, making it an important part of the West End’s history and Trafalgar Square itself.

History

Originally opening in 1892 as the Trafalgar Square Theatre, the venue was designed by Walter Emden before being renamed the Trafalgar Theatre in 1894 and then to the Duke of York's Theatre in 1895, to honour King George V. A Grade II listed building known for hosting a variety of plays, musicals and operas, the building is now best-known for housing straight plays under the management of ATG.

The venue's first ever production was Wedding Eve (1892), with musicals such as Go-Bang (1894), operas such as Madame Butterfly (1900) and world premieres such as JM Barrie's Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up (1904) gracing the stage. Peter Pan returned to the venue successively each year for the next decade, once starring Noel Coward in 1912.

Early productions included The Admirable Crichton (1902) and What Every Woman Knows (1908), London Calling (1923), Easy Virtue (1926) and Home Chat (1927). Following the takeover of the theatre by ATG, the Duke of York's Theatre has hosted high quality productions such as The Rocky Horror Show, as well as successful Royal Court seasons.

Notable productions throughout the years have included Journey's End (2004-2005), The Dresser (2005), starring Nicholas Lyndhurst and Julian Glover, Hedda Gabler (2005), Embers (2006), starring Jeremy Irons, Eh Joe (2006), starring Michael Gambon and Tom Stoppard's star-studded Rock 'n' Roll (2006-2007), which included Dominic West and Rufus Sewell.

Sheridan Smith starred in Little Shop of Horrors (2007), followed by In Celebration (2007), starring Orlando Bloom. Further productions included Rent Remixed (2007-2008), starring Denise Van Outen, No Man's Land (2008-2009), A View from the Bridge (2009), starring Ken Stott, Ghost Stories (2010-2011), Posh (2012), Jumpy (2012), starring Tamsin Grieg, Constellations (2012-2013), The Judas Kiss (2013), starring Rupert Everett, and Passion Play (2013), starring Zoe Wanamaker.

Following these, Hattie Morahan starred in A Doll's House (2013), with Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense (2014) scooping the Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. 2015 saw productions of Neville's Island, The Nether, Hay Fever, starring Felicity Kendal, Hetty Feather and Mark Rylance in Farinelli and the King.

A West End revival of popular children's tale Goodnight Mr Tom finished off the year, playing in rep with Peppa Pig's Surprise (2016). 2016 saw a revival of The Father transfer to the Duke of York's from Wyndham's Theatre, starring Olivier Award-winner Kenneth Cranham. Game of Thrones star Kit Harington starred in Jamie Lloyd's adaptation of Doctor Faustus, which was followed by popular comedy How the Other Half Loves, which transferred from the Theatre Royal Haymarket, starring Jenny Seagrove. 2016 rounds off with Ken Stott and Reece Shearsmith starring in Ronald Harwood's The Dresser.

2017 began with an acclaimed performance of Ron Harwood's The Dresser, starring Ken Stott and Reece Shearsmith. Further productions included the Olivier Award nominated The Glass Menagerie, starring Cherry Jones and directed by John Tiffany. Olivier Award-winning comedy Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour follows, after a sold-out run at the National Theatre.

TripTide Thoughts

This lovely little theatre seems just the right size for the plays it puts on, because of its intimate nature. We sat in the Royal circle, which was very comfortable and had great views. It looks like great views are available throughout. There is a great bar and ice-cream service during the break.

How to get there

The Duke of York's theatre is well placed for Theatreland on St Martin's lane and neighbours other West End theatres such as the Noel Coward at the London Coliseum. The theatre is close to many major London transportation links.

Train
The nearest national rail station is Charing Cross. From the station cross the road onto the Strand. Head west towards Trafalgar square and turn right when your reach St Martin’s Place. Turn right down the path towards the London Coliseum (St Martin’s Lane), The Duke of York’s Theatre is just ahead on the right hand side.

Tube
The nearest Tube stations are Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly lines) and Charing Cross (Bakerloo and Northern lines)

Leicester Square: From the station head north up Charing Cross Road and take the first right onto Long Acre. When the road intersects with Upper St. Martin’s Lane turn left. The theatre is a two minute walk away down the road.
Charing Cross: See the directions in the 'Train' section above.

Bus
There are plenty of buses operating in this area. For the Strand take buses: 6, 9, 11, 15, 23, 91 and 139.
For Charing Cross take the 24, 29, 47, 176.

Owner

Lucy TripTide

Lucy is a TripTide stalwart and has been with the company since inception. She is a font of knowledge of all things in our metropolis but she has a special penchant for London's historical past. She says:"London is a multi-layered confection of hi...