Shaftesbury Theatre

Originally called the New Prince's Theatre, it changed it's name to the Prince's Theatre in 1914. The theatre was sold to E.M.I. in 1962 and, after a refit and redecoration, was opened in 1963 as the Shaftesbury Theatre. On 20 July 1973 parts of the ceiling fell in, closing the production of the musical "Hair", and bringing the threat of 'redevelopment' (ie more office space) which was averted after a public campaign and the listing of the building by the Government in March 1974. The reopening was shown over a revival of the musical "West Side Story". 1980 saw Marvin Hamlisch's musical "They're Playing Our Song" enjoyed a successful run. More recent productions here include Stephen Sondheim's "Follies", Kander and Ebb's "Kiss of the Spider Woman", the Royal National Theatre's production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Carousel" and The Who's "Tommy".