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Old Vic Theatre London Reviews, News & Tickets

 

Old Vic Theatre
103 The Cut, London, SE1 8NB
Old Vic Seating Plan
Venue and Travel Information
Nearest Tube: Waterloo
Tube Lines: Waterloo & City, Bakerloo, Northern, Jubilee
Directions from nearest tube: (7mins) Take Mepham Street (100 metres) down to Waterloo Road. Turn right on Waterloo Road, but keep left as the theatre is 100 metres further along on the opposite corner.
Railway Station: Waterloo
Bus Numbers: (Waterloo Road) 1, 4, 26, 59, 68, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 521, X68; (Mepham Street) 211, 243, 507
Night Bus Numbers: (Waterloo Road) 139, 176, 188, N1, N68, N171; (Mepham Street) 243
Car Park: Waterloo Station (4mins)
Within Congestion Zone: Yes
Venue Facilities: Air conditioned, Bar, Disabled toilets, Infrared hearing loop, Toilets, Wheelchair accessible

The Old Vic Theatre London
The Old Vic is one of the oldest theatres in London, being built in 1818, and is popular throughout the English speaking world. Often referred to as “the actors’ theatre”, as many of the leading performing artists of the last century have acted on its stage, including Sir Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud, Sybil Thorndyke, Dame Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Kevin Spacey, Edith Evans, Peggy Ashcroft, Alec Guiness, Vivien Leigh, Ralph Richardson, Michael Redgrave and Peter O’Toole.

The Old Vic Theatre London in 2010
The Old Vic Theatre London in 2010

The Theatre was built on former marsh land that was Lambeth Marsh and it took many years to construct due to a severe lack of finance. The Foundation stone was placed by the Prince of Saxe Coburg and Princess Charlotte of Wales in September 1816, thus the Old Vic started life as The Royal Coburg, promising the nobility and the gentry “entirely new entertainment”. The opening night in 1818 included a Melodrama, an Asiatic ballet and a Harlequinade. This followed in 1831 with Edmund Kean plays Richard III, Othello, Macbeth and King Lear during a six-night engagement. In 1833 the theatre re-opened ‘for the encouragement of Native Dramatic Talent’, and named The Royal Victoria, in honour of Princess Victoria. Subsequently in 1871 the theatre once again re-opens and this time as The New Victoria. During the decade it was twice put up for sale by auction, before closing down. In 1880 a leading Victorian social reformist Emma Cons, opens the theatre as The Royal Victoria Coffee and Music Hall. The word ‘theatre’ is dropped supposedly because of its ‘impure associations’. In 1884 philanthropist Samuel Morley prevents the theatre from closing down and renames it The Royal Victoria Hall and Coffee Tavern.

In 1914 Shakespeare productions make their debut at the theatre, under the direction of Ben Greet. From 1920-25 under the direction of Robert Atkins all 36 Shakespeare plays in the First Folio are performed. During 1925 West End Star Edith Evans joins the company.

From 1929-31 John Gielgud’s Hamlet and Richard II established him as the new Shakespearean star. During 1932 Peggy Ashcroft joins the company to play Rosalind, Portia, Juliet and Miranda. Michael Redgrave and Edith Evans in As you like it.

During 1936 Michael Redgrave, Alec Guinness and Laurence Olivier join the company. During the Second World War in 1941 the theatre was very badly damaged by German bombs.

Following renovations the theatre opens again in 1950 with a performance of Twelfth Night. During 1957 Judi Dench joins for the first of the four seasons. Her roles include Ophelia, Hermia, and Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s production of Romeo and Juliet. John Stride and Judi Dench star in Romeo and Juliet in 1960.

The impressive Laurence Olivier and Maggie Smith star in Othello in 1964. Sadly in 1963 The Old Vic company disbands. Over the next thirteen years company regulars include Albert Finney, Anthony Hopkins, Geraldine McEwan, Joan Plowright and Maggie Smith.

During 1977 the theatre is leased to visiting companies with the first production being The White Devil, starring Glenda Jackson.

In 1982 the theatre is put up for sale and bought by Canadian businessman Ed Mirvish who restored it to its former glory. The facade of the building is founded on an 1830 engraving, with the auditorium on the designs of 1871.

During 1998 the Mirvish family wish to sell the theatre. There are proposals for altering it into a themed pub, a bingo hall or a lap-dancing club. In answer to the public demand and political pressure, the theatre is taken over by The Old Vic Theatre Trust 2000, a registered charity set up by Sally Greene.

Coming to The Old Vic Almeida’s production of The Iceman Cometh is transferred and is a big success. Kevin Spacey deservedly wins the Evening Standard Drama and Olivier Awards as Best Actor (1999). With The Old Vic presently back to its former glory the theatre has continued to produce spectacular shows.

The Old Vic Announces Bicentenary Season

October 24, 2017 Last updated: May 6, 2019 3:23 pm By Admin

Rhys Ifans: A Christmas Carol-photo by Helen Maybanks

200 days ahead of its 200th birthday, The Old Vic today marks the launch of its bicentenary and Matthew Warchus' third year as Artistic Director of The Old Vic with a season of world premiere productions: A new adaptation of Charles Dickens' timeless classic A Christmas Carol by Jack Thorne, directed by Matthew Warchus The Divide, a ‘narrative for voices’, by Alan Ayckbourn, directed by Baylis Director Annabel Bolton A new adaptation of Ingmar Bergman’s Fanny & Alexander … [Read more...]

Tagged With: OldVic

Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax at The Old Vic First Look Production Images

October 23, 2017 Last updated: July 7, 2019 7:39 pm By Admin

The Lorax

The irrepressible, big-hearted, moustachioed critter is back. Following rave reviews and an Olivier nomination for Best Entertainment and Family show, Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax returns to The Old Vic stage. This dazzlingly funny, moving and inspiring show sees the go-getting Once-ler come face to face with the magical Lorax in a battle over the beloved truffula trees and the whole of Paradise Valley. Adapted for the stage by David Greig with music and lyrics by Charlie Fink (Noah and the Whale … [Read more...]

Tagged With: OldVic, The Lorax

Rehearsal images from Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax at The Old Vic

September 27, 2017 Last updated: April 23, 2022 6:18 pm By Admin

The Lorax - Laura Caldow, Ben Thompson and David Ricardo-Pearce (Puppeteers). Dr. Seuss's The Lorax at The Old Vic. Photos by Manuel Harlan

The irrepressible, big-hearted, moustachioed critter is back. Following rave reviews and an Olivier nomination for Best Entertainment and Family show, Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax returns to The Old Vic stage. This dazzlingly funny, moving and inspiring show sees the go-getting Once-ler come face to face with the magical Lorax in a battle over the beloved truffula trees and the whole of Paradise Valley. Adapted for the stage by David Greig with music and lyrics by Charlie Fink (Noah and the Whale … [Read more...]

Tagged With: OldVic

Full casting announced for Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax

August 22, 2017 Last updated: May 6, 2019 3:25 pm By Admin

The Lorax

The Old Vic today announces full casting for Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax, which returns to The Old Vic stage for a ;limited run opening on Tuesday 24 October, with previews from Sunday 15 October 2017, prior to international dates in Canada and the USA. The irrepressible, big-hearted, moustachioed critter is back. This dazzlingly funny, moving, and inspiring show sees the go-getting Once-ler come face to face with the magical Lorax in a battle over the beloved truffula trees and the whole of … [Read more...]

Tagged With: OldVic

Review of Girl From The North Country at The Old Vic

August 1, 2017 Last updated: June 27, 2019 7:25 pm By Peter Yates

Girl From The North Country

Bob Dylan’s music is like a favourite old overcoat which warms you, comforts you, soothes you as you retrieve it from the coat-rack and wear it again to ward off the approaching winter chill. But it has surprises. You reach into the pockets and discover forgotten memorabilia languishing: the jingle-jangle of some coins, a dog-eared shopping list, that pen you’ve been searching high and low for and the neatly folded order of service from a funeral. And there are other, unknown, objects left, … [Read more...]

Tagged With: Girl From The North Country, OldVic

Girl From The North Country Old Vic Production Images Released

July 25, 2017 Last updated: July 8, 2019 9:06 pm By Admin

Girl From The North Country

Production images have been released for Girl From The North Country. The Old Vic is proud to present the World Premiere of Girl From the North Country, an electrifying new work written and directed by Conor McPherson along with classic songs from Bob Dylan. Duluth, Minnesota in the midst of the Great Depression. A family adrift, their future on a knife edge. Lost and lonely people drifting through the rooms of their guesthouse. But Nick Laine thinks he’s seen a way out… The full … [Read more...]

Tagged With: Girl From The North Country, OldVic

Review of Cover My Tracks at the Old Vic Theatre

June 9, 2017 Last updated: May 6, 2019 3:17 pm By Emily Gami

Jade Anouka (Sarah) and Charlie Fink (Frank) in Cover My Tracks at The Old Vic. Photo by Manuel Harlan

I start this review by holding my hands up and saying I know nothing about indie folk music, which is, I am reliably informed by a certain encyclopedic website, what Charlie Fink is best known for. I have to confess I know of him only through his foray into musical theatre last year with The Lorax. The point is, I entered the theatre last night as someone who was there to see theatre, not someone who wanted to see an indie folk artist sing some songs, and in some ways, it didn’t … [Read more...]

Tagged With: OldVic

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