Built in 1929 on the site of the infamous 1814 London Beer Flood (yes, beer floods are a thing), this Grade II listed beauty was intended as a musical theatre but quickly pivoted to film after opening just before the Wall Street Crash. The Dominion’s early years were a rollercoaster, debuting Broadway’s “Follow Through” in 1929 and hosting the British premiere of Charlie Chaplin’s “City Lights” with Chaplin himself in 1931.
However, financial instability saw the Dominion sold to Gaumont-British Picture Corporation in 1933, morphing into a premier cinema venue. It boasted epic runs like the four-year showcase of “South Pacific” and “The Sound of Music.” During WWII, it even survived the Blitz, reopening with its mighty Compton organ and resuming its silver screen supremacy. The 1950s and 60s were star-studded with Judy Garland’s legendary performances and red-carpet premieres like “Cleopatra” and “Star Wars.”
The 1970s and 80s saw the Dominion embrace live music, hosting legends like David Bowie, Duran Duran, and Van Morrison. By 1986, it returned to its theatrical roots with the musical “Time,” featuring a holograph of Laurence Olivier. Almost destined for demolition to make way for a car park, the theatre was saved by a public outcry and became a Grade II listed building in 1988.
Under the Nederlander Organization since 1992, the Dominion flourished as a musical powerhouse with hits like “Grease,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and the record-smashing “We Will Rock You,” which ran for 12 years. After a multi-million-pound refurbishment in 2014, the Dominion emerged with its 1920s grandeur restored, continuing to host blockbuster musicals and events. From Charlie Chaplin to Freddie Mercury, the Dominion Theatre remains a beacon of entertainment and resilience in London’s theatrical landscape.
The Dominion Theatre is currently playing The Devil Wears Prada until January 2026.
Details
- Address:
- 268-269 Tottenham Court Road
- W1P 0AQ
- Transport:
- Railway station: Euston Bus numbers: (Tottenham Court Road Station) 7, 10, 14, 24, 29, 73, 134, 242; (New Oxford St) 1, 8, 25, 55, 98, 176, 390