Prince Edward Theatre is a historic venue situated in the heart of London's West End, celebrated for its stunning Art Deco architecture. Opened in 1930, it has hosted a variety of acclaimed productions, including hit musicals. The theater seats over 1,600 patrons and features intricate details throughout its interior, creating an enchanting environment for visitors. Its prime location makes it a popular destination for both local theater enthusiasts and tourists seeking world-class entertainment.
What each source says
- Google Places 4.7 11,887
- Viator 4.9 1,100
Bar length is review volume, so you can see how much weight sits behind each score. Captured 2026-08-21.
What visitors single out
Liked
- Comfortable Seating and Good Stage Views The theatre offers comfortable seating and generally provides good views of the stage, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the performance.
- Elegant and Stylish Interior The Prince Edward Theatre boasts a beautiful and stylish interior, creating a pleasant and memorable experience for theatergoers.
- Excellent Transport Links The theater is easily accessible due to its convenient location and good transport links, making it simple to reach for both locals and tourists.
- Helpful and Friendly Staff The staff are consistently described as friendly and helpful, contributing to a smooth and enjoyable visit.
- High-Quality Sound and Lighting The theatre provides excellent sound and lighting, which greatly enhances the overall impact and enjoyment of the shows.
Criticised
- Busy Location Due to its proximity to Chinatown and Leicester Square, the area outside the theatre can be very busy, especially before and after shows.
- Can Be Very Hot Inside The theatre can become quite hot during performances, especially during warmer months, which may cause discomfort.
- Limited Toilet Facilities The theatre has insufficient toilet facilities for the number of attendees, potentially leading to long queues and inconvenience.
- Stairs and No Lifts to Some Stalls There are no lifts to some of the stalls, which may pose a challenge for individuals with mobility issues.
- Tight Leg Room Some patrons have noted that leg room can be a bit tight, potentially causing discomfort during longer performances.
The longer read
The Prince Edward Theatre is highly praised, particularly for its current show, MJ the Musical. Many reviewers described the theatre as beautiful, elegant, and stylish inside, despite a relatively unassuming exterior. Its location is convenient, with good transport links, though the area can get very busy due to its proximity to Chinatown and Leicester Square. Staff are consistently described as friendly, helpful, and well-organized, contributing to smooth entry and seating processes. Several reviewers specifically mentioned how quickly they were able to get to their seats, even close to showtime. The theatre is considered easy to navigate, even for those with mobility aids. While the theatre is large, seating over 1700, many reviewers felt that the view of the stage was good from various locations, although one reviewer in the stalls noted a potential issue with obstructed views for shorter individuals if seated behind a tall person. The seats themselves are often described as comfortable and spacious, especially in the stalls, which is a welcome change compared to some other London theatres. Some reviewers noted that the leg room can be a bit tight. The sound quality is consistently highlighted as excellent, providing a solid punch that enhances the musical experience. The theatre's classic interior adds to the overall ambiance. A few reviewers mentioned that the theatre can get quite warm, particularly during spring and summer shows. Some reviewers noted long queues for the toilet facilities, though they were generally clean. One reviewer mentioned the availability of alternative toilet facilities opposite the venue. Bars are available, offering drinks and snacks, which can also be pre-ordered. The street outside the theatre exit can be crowded with rickshaws targeting tourists. MJ the Musical receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with praise for the cast, acting, dancing, choreography, set design, lighting, and overall production quality. The show is described as captivating, emotional, and a fitting tribute to Michael Jackson. Some audience members were moved to tears. Several reviewers highly recommend the show and express a desire to see it again.
A synthesis of third-party reviews supplied by Mindtrip travel index. Not written by Breaks.
Getting there
- Phone
- +44 344 482 5151
- Website
- princeedwardtheatre.co.uk
| Mon | 16:30 - 19:30 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 16:30 - 19:30 |
| Wed | 16:00 - 19:30 |
| Thu | 12:30 - 19:30 |
| Fri | 16:30 - 19:30 |
| Sat | 12:30 - 19:30 |
| Sun | Closed |
Against the neighbourhood
Rated 4.7 against a median of 4.5 across the 2,371 venues we hold for London, where the most-reviewed is Trafalgar Square.
Still deciding?
- What current or upcoming musical productions are playing at Prince Edward Theatre that you would recommend seeing?
- What are the typical ticket price ranges and discount options available for performances at Prince Edward Theatre?
- Does Prince Edward Theatre provide wheelchair access and other accommodations for guests with disabilities?
- What are the most convenient public transport routes and nearby stations for reaching Prince Edward Theatre on Old Compton Street?
- What are the most notable historical facts or architectural features of Prince Edward Theatre since its opening in 1930?
Where this comes from
Venue records are drawn from the Mindtrip travel index, which aggregates place data and review signals from Google Places, Tripadvisor and booking providers. Ratings are reproduced per source rather than merged into a single number. Distances to nearby venues are computed here as great-circle distances between the published coordinates, not walking or driving routes. Comparison figures are medians computed across the venues we hold for the same neighbourhood or city.
Source: Mindtrip travel index, captured 2026-08-21.
What this page cannot tell you
- Descriptions and review summaries are supplied by the source index and are reproduced as published; they are not independently verified by Breaks.
- Ratings and review counts are point-in-time snapshots and drift constantly. Check the venue's own site or the rating provider for the current figure.
- Opening hours change seasonally and at short notice. Confirm with the venue before travelling.
- Category labels come from the source index and are occasionally wrong — a venue may be filed under a type that does not match how it trades.
- Straight-line distances understate real walking distance, especially where a river or railway sits between two points.