Garrick Theatre

I’m pleased to be reviewing the theatre rather than the show, otherwise it would have got 2 fewer stars!
Built in the late 19^th century. The Garrick Theatre is situated on Charing Cross Road, just south of Leicester Square Underground station. The theatre is one of the smaller West End venues, housing 718 patrons over three levels. Having been to a few West End theatres that were built at the same time or earlier than the Garrick, the first thing that struck me, was how tired the theatre looks. As you walk into the foyer the first impression, is that a lick of paint is required. In fact a wholesale refurbishment.
Working my way to my seat in the stalls, was like going through a maze of corridors, past bars and communial areas. The auditorium itself is one that has a circle which overhangs quite a bit of the stalls. This means that posts are required to support it, which means that some seats behind the posts could have a restricted view. In fact the production I saw had TV images projected from the top of the stage, which meant you were unlikely to see them if you were in and rome behind row N.
The theatre does have plenty of gents toilet facilities (can’t talk for the ladies). Again a warren of up and down stairs and corridors. Again they too could do with a refit.
This theatre is one of my least favourite in the West End, but then again us Londoners are blessed to have so many good ones as well.

I came to this theatre to see the Scottsboro Boys before the show closed for good. We were seated in the third row and the experience was extremely memorable! I enjoyed how the theatre was smaller than other ones I’ve been to, which made for a more intimate setting, and perfect for a show where the actors interact with the audience a bit.
The architecture was absolutely stunning and the dome at the top of the theatre really caught my eye. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who wishes to see any sort of show here!

Just watched the scottsboro boys play and it was amazing! The last musical I watched was held in a gigantic theatre but this one was way more condensed so I was able to see the actors up close. I loved how they came into the audience and really made you feel like you were a part of the show. Amazing musical and such a touching story. I loved it!

So this is a review for the theatre, not the play. I always try and start my theatre reviews like this because I don’t think Unilocal is the place to review transient, moving productions. Anyway, we saw 12 Angry Men here (side point, this was a 4* star play with 5* acting, no weak link and really interesting insights into 1950’s american court rooms).
The theatre, poor theatre, is such a nice place. It just needs a little TLC and a face lift. It hasn’t had a production stay for a long time in a while, since Chicago a few years back. Nice size, I always get a good view and I find the seats quite comfy. It just doesn’t have the theatre atmosphere that I should get when walking into the West End’s finest establishments. Maybe a good longrunning play will change that…

We went to see Twelve Angry Men (Which was stunningly good) but the actual seats (O16 & 17) were so uncomfortable that they detracted from the amazing play. I had to keep bobbing my head around to see over the people in front as the tiering is non existent and although I’m only 5′ 5″, I couldn’t find a position to sit in without my knees touching the seat in front!
Also, bars in the theatre are cash only — a fact that they helpfully don’t tell you until you go to pay!!!

The poor old Garrick Theatre. It’s like the Taylor Swift of the West End. It just can’t sustain a long term relationship.
It is a gorgeous building, although a little on the small side in the stalls. If I had a show and this was available, I might stay away from booking. It seems to have a bit of a revolving door curse with shows. I saw the excellent Loserville here shortly before it closed and there seems to be a history of shows not lasting very long.

The Garrick Theatre is a beautiful old theatre on Charing Cross Road, next to Leicester Square. I was here last night seeing Rock of Ages and had an absolutely great night.
I didn’t see any mice, like some other Unilocalers seem to have experienced, but I can agree with the fact the theatre is dated. It could do with a bit of a refurb.
Aside from all that, the staff in here are so pleasant and smiley, from box office to bar to front of house, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time here last night, and previously when I saw Chicago in here.

THERE WAS A MOOOOOOUSE!
Actually… there were at least two mice (dark grey and slightly lighter brown), and one of them seemed really keen to come over and nibble on my shoe! I spent the second half of Chicago with my eyes peeled so I could see when the sneaky critter and stamp to scare it away before he came back over to my seat. Eep!
I did tell the staff… but it looks like other Unilocalers have complained about this before to no avail. Not cool Garrick Theatre, not cool.
*** If you don’t mind sharing a theatre with little critters, Chicago was brilliant!

I am with Claire on this — beautiful theatre transporting you to days of old. I caught Chicago here at the weekend and thought it was a stunning venue.
I hope to make it back here for another show at sometime in the future!

Very intimate venue. A bit aged but not at all decrepit.
Caught Chicago here last week, co-​starred by America Ferrera. There isn’t much leg room in the aisleways so tall people won’t find their seating very comfortable. Accountics is acceptable though I can only speak for rows D and forward.
The bar in the lobby accepts cash only.

I just saw pygmalion, and although the theatre is quite small, the acoustics are excellent. The price of drinks is a little steep however no more expensive then any other central london theatre. Try not to get tickets for the back rows, the doors behind there lead into the busy streets of leicester square and so the noise can interfer with your experience

I saw When we are married two days ago. It was very funny. The theatre is very friendly, especially the gentleman who I collected the ticket from who was exceptionally helpful and friendly. Just two minutes walk from the tube station.

Not sure what fellow Unilocaler Claire experienced, but When We Were Married was in the house when I visited and it was disappointing to put it mildly. I had expected more from JB Priestly’s (Blood Brothers.) even more, the theatre was worn, with holes in the ceiling and peeling paint on the trim.
Save your £‘s and see something else.

I bought a ticket at this theatre for the first time in my life and paid £47 for a supposedly good seat to watch a silly play (the little dog laughed) or at least it was silly up till the first 20 minutes of the start as I was interrupted by mice watching the play and hovering between my feet!!!
what a disgusting place
the more awful part of the story was the man who called himself a manager who thought there was nothing wrong in something like this and sarcastically offered to give me new tickets to the show on a week night !!!
I refuse to pass by this theatre, let alone going to watch a play again there
horrible experience
horrible 20 minute of play performed by amazing actors !!

On 31^st December I went to see Arturo Brachetti in Garrick Theater.
Arturo Brachetti is the fastest quick-​change artist. I really loved the show. It contains a lot of hi-​tech stuff, very sophisticated lighting, film sequences that suddenly change into live action, and a stage design dominated by a vast revolving box of tricks.
Arturo is entertaining and funny even though sometimes a bit old fashioned.
The show is worth seeing.

The Garrick Theatre is an absoloutely gorgeous theatre right at the start of London’s slew of west end theatres and a few minutes walk from Trafalgar Square.
The theatre’s interior really reminds me of the theatres of old. Beautiful, ornate seating and surroundings are covered in a plethora of gold and heavy red velvet, beautiful.
The theatre is really huge and well placed seating means everyone gets to hear and see what’s going on, on stage. Their program of events includes everything from performing arts to comedy, a real variety of arts performances.
If you’re a theatre /​arts buff, you must pay this beautiful venue a visit.

Oh my goodness what a fantastic show. I won a pair of tickets to see Zorro at The Garrick Theatre and took my young son. We were 3 rows from the front, mid row, and were right in the action. There were flames, sword fighting, gun shots and masked men zipping across the theatre on zip wires. Non stop action from start to finish. We laughed, clapped until our hands hurt and cried. We simply loved it. The music was fantastic as were the dances and singers. The acting was professional and word perfect. For anyone with young boys this show is a must.

At the top of my list of things that are a Bad Idea for musicals:
1) Write a bad story to cobble together a bunch of unrelated songs
2) Butcher good songs to make them fit into a musical
So I like the story of Zorro. And I like the music of the Gypsy Kings. But why oh why would you combine the two in such an unfortunate way? Sure, some of it kind of worked but then you had all the bizarre English lyrics plus the weird accents that would come and go. I really had a hard time keeping myself from laughing
As a side note, the seats past the first few rows of the stalls — so not worth it! The balcony will obstruct most of the vertical space of the stage but the plus side was that the bartender at the stalls bar was a robot and went through the line faster than you can say make that a double!