Built by Richard D'Oyly Carte in 1881 as a purpose-built home for the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, the Savoy was the first public building in the world to be lit entirely by electricity. Its art deco interior, redesigned in 1929, remains one of the West End's most elegant.
Acoustics, seating, and what to expect
The Savoy Theatre is renowned for world-class acoustics with excellent sound distribution throughout the venue. However, some patrons report that sound can feel distant from rear stalls rows, and proximity to speakers in certain sections may affect the listening experience.
Stalls rows D-G (middle seats) offer optimal views and acoustics. Dress Circle rows A-E (middle seats) provide excellent elevated perspectives, particularly for musicals. Avoid front rows AA-C in the stalls due to neck strain and side-action obstruction, and be cautious of Dress Circle overhang affecting rows N and beyond in the stalls.
Smart Casual
Tickets, pricing, and getting there
Typical range · GBP
Embankment (Circle, District, Northern lines); Covent Garden (Piccadilly line); Charing Cross (Northern, Bakerloo lines)
Plan your visit — dining, transit, and performer resources nearby
Green Room — London
3 practice spaces
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.
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.
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.
Architect
C. J. Phipps (1881), remodeled by Frank Tugwell (1929)
Architecture
Art Deco
Heritage
Grade II* Listed Building
Works that first saw the light on this stage
Current productions at Savoy Theatre
Rush, lottery, promo codes, and discount programs for shows at this theatre
Explore More
Browse 250+ opera houses, theatres, ballet companies, and festivals worldwide.
View Full DirectoryStrand, London WC2R 0ET
Embankment (Circle, District, Northern lines); Covent Garden (Piccadilly line); Charing Cross (Northern, Bakerloo lines)