Criterion Theatre

Criterion Theatre London

In 1870 a contest was held at Regent's Circus to find the best design for an entertainment development to be built on that site. A little known architect called Thomas Verity won the contest and he was commissioned to design a building that would house several eateries, a top floor ballroom and a live venue.

However, caterers Spiers and Pond who were responsible for the development changed their intentions for the site and chose to build a theatre instead. Although initially opposed by Westminster borough authorities, planning permission was finally granted and the Criterion Theatre opened in 1874 with a production of Topsyturverydom by WS Gilbert.

In 1875 Charles Wyndham, the English actor/director/producer, arrived to take the reins of the theatre and under his expert tutelage the Criterion became one of the leading entertainment venues of the time.

The theatre was closed during the Second World War but was commissioned by the BBC to be used as a secure broadcasting studio thanks to its safe underground location.

During the 1970s the theatre was threatened with redevelopment but thanks to persistent campaigning by high-profile actors including Robert Morley, Prunella Scales and Diana Rigg the venue was granted a permanent stay of execution by the Greater London Council. Thanks to this, the Criterion remains one of Thomas Verity's best surviving works in London.

The Criterion has witnessed some successful productions since then, such as Run for Your Wife (1983) that ran for six years. The 39 Steps has been performed to audiences at the Criterion since 2006.

What's on at Criterion Theatre