ABOUT THE THEATRE
One of the two renowned Aldwych theatres built on either side of the Waldorf Hotel, the Novello has been blasted by bombs during wartime, seen a few shows bomb too, and undergone serious refurbishment to become one of the most lavish theatres in town.
Opened in 1905 as the Waldorf, becoming the Strand Theatre – a name that veteran London theatregoers and cabbies still use for it today – it re-emerged as the Novello Theatre in its centenary year following a splendid £4.5 million overhaul by Delfont MacKintosh.
Named after the actor, writer, and composer Ivor Novello who lived in a flat upstairs from the theatre for 38 years, it was the place that Queen Elizabeth II enjoyed her first West End night out - she went to see Arsenic and Old Lace, as it happens.
A historic theatre, lavishly decorated in a Roman-esque style, it stages a mixture of plays and musicals to audiences in regular excess of 1,000
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Situated on Aldwych, right next to the majestic Waldorf Hotel and Aldwych Theatre, the Novello is easily accessible via a variety of transport links.
By Tube
The nearest tube station is Covent Garden, approx. 300m away, is on the Piccadilly Line, or there’s Charing Cross (Northern and Bakerloo lines), Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly lines), or Holborn (Central and Piccadilly lines), approx. 600m away.
By National Rail
Charing Cross Railway Station is just a 10-minute walk away.
By Bus
RV1, X68, 1, 6, 11, 13, 23, 59, 68, 87, 91, 139, 168, 171, 172, 188, 243 all serve Aldwych, and 4, 9, 15, 26, 76, 176, 341 will all take you to the Strand.
By Bike
Nearby Santander bike hire docking stations can be found a minute away on Wellington Street, or a few minutes’ walk on Tavistock Street or Kingsway Southbound.
