Shaftesbury Theatre

Shaftesbury Theatre, originally known as Princes Theatre, was commissioned by Frederick and Walter Melville and designed by Bertie Crewe. It opened on Boxing Day, 1911, with a production of "The Three Musketeers." Renamed Shaftesbury Theatre in 1962, it is the largest independent theatre in the West End, known for its high-quality productions, many of which are world or British premieres. The theatre has a history of championing emerging and established talent and has hosted notable productions and stars, including Fred Astaire and Marjorie Reynolds. In 1968, the musical "Hair" played a pivotal role in the campaign to save London’s theatres, leading to the formation of the Save London Theatre campaign and the 1976 Theatres Trust Act. The Theatre of Comedy Company leased the theatre in 1983, producing successful comedies and musicals. Recent years have seen award-winning productions like "Hairspray," "Memphis," and "& Juliet." The theatre has undergone significant renovations to improve accessibility and modernize its facilities for 21st-century audiences.