Theatre

Old Vic

London, United Kingdom·Est. 1818·1,067 seats

theatre

The Cut, London SE1 8NB

One of London's most storied theatres, the Old Vic on The Cut in Waterloo has been a crucible of British theatrical talent for over two centuries. The venue served as the early home of the National Theatre under Laurence Olivier and has since hosted landmark productions under artistic directors including Kevin Spacey and Matthew Warchus. Its intimate Victorian auditorium, with its horseshoe-shaped balconies and rich acoustics, creates an electric connection between performers and audience that larger West End houses cannot replicate. The Old Vic remains a producing theatre of the first rank.

Season

Now & Coming Soon

Arcadia

All My Sons

Hamlet

Full season at Old Vic

The Experience

Acoustics, seating, and what to expect

Acoustics

4.0/ 5

The horseshoe-shaped auditorium contributes to good sound distribution with 'lyric beauty' noted in certain sections. Acoustics are generally positive, particularly in recommended central seating areas.

Best Seats

Stalls rows E-K, particularly central seats 14-23 in rows H-K, offer the most immersive experience with excellent sightlines and sound. Dress Circle rows A-D provide an elevated, intimate perspective with clear stage views.

Dress Code

No Dress Code

Visitor Guide

Tickets, pricing, and getting there

Rush & Day-of Tickets

PwC £10 Previews available for the first five performances of every new show. Day-of discounted tickets available for purchase on performance day.

Getting There

Waterloo (Northern, Bakerloo, Jubilee lines); Southwark (Jubilee line); Elephant & Castle (Northern, Bakerloo lines)

Around the Venue

Plan your visit — dining, transit, and performer resources nearby

Plan Your Visit

London

Pre-show dining, bars & more for Old Vic visitors.

Full visit guide

Green Room — London

Performer City Guide

3 practice spaces

Royal College of Music — Practice Rooms
Book online through the RCM website. Rates are competitive (£15-25/hour for a room with a grand piano). The RCM building itself — Alfred Waterhouse's 1894 Gothic Revival red-brick — is extraordinary. The Museum of Music in the basement (free) has one of the finest instrument collections in the world.
Guildhall School of Music and Drama — Practice Rooms
Public room hire available through the Guildhall website. Rates similar to RCM (£15-25/hour). The Guildhall's Milton Court building (opened 2013) has state-of-the-art rehearsal facilities and a 600-seat concert hall. The Barbican's café is the waiting room.
Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance
The Greenwich location is a longer journey from central London (DLR or Overground to Greenwich, 20-25 min from central London), but the facilities and the setting are extraordinary. The Painted Hall and Chapel of the Old Royal Naval College are UNESCO World Heritage sites — worth visiting regardless.

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