Phoenix Theatre: Theatre Information

Phoenix Theatre

Phoenix Theatre,
Charing Cross Road,
London,
WC2H 0JP

Box Office:
0870 060 6629

Upstage Hotline:
0870 060 6634

Welcome to The Phoenix Theatre

The Phoenix Theatre opened in 1930 with the premiere of Noel Coward's Private Lives featuring Coward himself in the cast, along with Gertrude Lawrence, Adrienne Allen and a young Laurence Olivier.

Coward formed a strong association with The Phoenix returning with Gertrude Lawrence as his co-star in 1936 with the programme of the one-act play Tonight at 8.30. He returned again in 1952 with Quadrille, which opened only a few days after the death of Gertie Lawrence, and Coward wrote how difficult it was to sit through that first night in what he and Gertie had always referred to as 'our theatre'.

The Phoenix enjoyed a succession of very successful plays including John Gielgud's Love for Love during the war, and a season featuring Paul Scofield and Peter Brook in the mid fifties.

A new musical Canterbury Tales adapted from Chaucer's famous book opened in 1968 and began a 2000 performance run.

The eighties and nineties have seen many award-winning musicals, including The baker's Wife by Stephen Schwarz (directed by Trevor Nunn) and the delightful Into the wood by Stephen Sondheim starring Julia McEnzie; as well as a very successful season of Shakespeare plays.

The current production Blood Brothers, a musical by Willy Russell, which transferred from the Albery in 1991, is the longest running show ever at the Phoenix.

The Building

The theatre opened in 1930 and was beautifully designed by Giles Gilbert Scott, Bertie Crewe and Cecil Masey, with Theodore Komisarjevsky as Art Director.

The entrance on the corner of Charing Cross Road and Flitcroft Street is a rotunda with four columns above the canopy topped by an attic with square windows.

A change of ownership in 1966 led to a refurbishment programme, including the construction of the Noel Coward bar in the Phoenix Street foyer, which was open by the great man himself in 1969.

Respecting the tradition of the Italian theatres, the auditorium shines with golden engraves, red seats, carpet and curtains.

Above the boxes we can admire panels by Vladimir Polunin after Tintoretto, Titian and Giorgione, and the entire safety curtain is a rendition of Jacopo del Sellaio's The Triumph Of Love.

Also, throughout the building, we can enjoy the sculpted wooden doors and the decorated ceilings.

It surely is one of the most beautiful theatres in London's West-End.

The Phoenix Theatre Staff

Theatre Manager
Dean Stewart

Box Office Manager
Dan Carter

Assistant Box Office Manager
Rachel Ford

Master Carpenter
Rikki Newman

Deputy Master Carpenter
Richard Green

Chargehand Carpenter
Martin Anderyszak

Acting Chief Electrician
Gary Hamilton

Chargehand Electrician
Ian Gough

Senior Assistants, Front of House
Kristen Kissoon, Chris Tidmarsh

Stage Door Keeper
Rebecca Zamani, Neil Dowden

Painter/Handyman
Paul Murphy

Disclaimer:
Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information on these pages is correct, we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Ticket prices and Show details correct at time of publication, however if you are in any doubt about any of the information on this site, please do not hesitate to contact the Box Office for further assistance.