The UK’s Oldest Theatres
The tradition of theatre dates back to the Ancient Greeks, and whilst we Brits might not be able to compete with a 5th Century BC amphitheatre, the UK boasts some pretty historic theatres dating back to the Reformation that are still in use today. Check out our round up of five of the oldest theatres across the country.
By Emily May | Updated Feb 22 2025
The tradition of theatre dates back to the Ancient Greeks, and whilst we Brits might not be able to compete with a 5th Century BC amphitheatre, the UK boasts some pretty historic theatres dating back to the Reformation that are still in use today. Check out our round up of five of the oldest theatres across the country.
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
Catherine Street, London, WC2B 5JF
Originally built in 1663, the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane is London's oldest theatre, having hosted performances for three and a half centuries. The original building was visited by the likes of Samuel Peyps and Charles II, who first saw his infamous mistress Nel Gwyn treading the boards of this very theatre. The first building was unfortunately destroyed by fire in 1672, and the theatre has since undergone a number of restorations.
During its long history the theatre has presented various masterpieces and theatrical legends; from Charles Macklin, who murdered a fellow actor in the green room, to the public premieres of the National Anthem and Rule Britannia; from the premiere of Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s seminal play The School for Scandal, to Noel Coward’s major success with Calvacade in 1931. It is also famous for having been visited by every British monarch since the Restoration.
Now owned by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, the theatre mainly presents top musicals including Shrek, 42nd Street and, most recently, Disney's Frozen - a far cry from what the audiences would have been watching during the Restoration period! The latest show to grace this illustrious stage will be Disney's Hercules, booking now from June 2025.
Bristol Old Vic
The Rackhay, Queen Charlotte Street BS1 4HJ
The oldest continuously working theatre in the English-speaking world, Bristol Old Vic was built in 1766. It is closely associated with the Bristol Old Vic Theatre school, which has turned out famous British actors including Oliva Colman and Daniel Day-Lewis. After receiving a recent funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Old Vic - in collaboration with the Bristol Archives and University of Bristol Theatre Collection - have curated various exhibitions, interactive sound experiences and creative displays around the building to showcase their rich history. Artefacts on display include the document from 1764 showing the original proposal to build a theatre, scraps of old tickets through the ages, and there is even a section telling the story of how they once managed to fit a live African elephant on stage!
Lancaster Grand Theatre
St. Leonardgate, Lancaster, LA1 1NL
Opened in 1782, Lancaster Grand Theatre is another playhouse that has undergone various restorations. The first was in 1897 by the renowned theatre architect Frank Matcham, who (along with his two protégés) is responsible for over 200 theatres before 1915. However, this building was gutted by fire and the theatre reopened in 1908 in the Edwardian style it remains in to date.
It is currently owned by the amateur theatre group the Lancaster Footlights, who produce five plays a year as well as running and maintaining the historic building. To learn more about the theatre’s past, they offer the public guided theatre tours, but best to steer clear if you’re afraid of ghosts and ghouls - legend has it the theatre is haunted!
Theatre Royal, Margate
Addington Street, Margate, Kent CT9 1PW
Along with the Assembly Rooms, Cecil Square, and the Circulating Library, Hawley Square (both now destroyed), the Theatre Royal, Margate was built as part of an initiative to expand the port of Margate in the Georgian period, yet it was converted into a Victorian style theatre in 1874.
Although not the oldest theatre in the country (dating back to 1787), it is home to the first acting school in the UK - Sarah Thorne’s School of Acting, which was attended by Edward Gordon Craig, prolific modernist theatre practitioner. Among the actors to tread its boards are the legendary Charlie Chaplin.
The historic theatre has been closed since April 2022 for refurbishment and is currently scheduled for reopening in 2027.
Georgian Theatre Royal
Victoria Rd., Richmond, Yorkshire DL10 4DW
Built in 1788, The Georgian Theatre Royal in Yorkshire is the youngest theatre in our round up, but is in fact the UK’s oldest working theatre in its original state, and Britain’s most complete Georgian playhouse.
The theatre owns Britain’s oldest set of scenery “The Woodland Scene”, which was probably painted between 1818 and 1836, and is now displayed as the main attraction in The Georgian Theatre Experience, an immersive tour where you can discover the theatre’s history, explore back stage, learn about the life of a Georgian actor and even try on costumes.