Musical
Arts Theatre
6-7 Great Newport Street, London WC2H 7JBTucked just moments from Leicester Square, the Arts Theatre is a hidden gem in the heart of London’s West End. Established in 1927 as a private members’ club, it has since evolved into a thriving independent venue renowned for intimate performances, offbeat comedies, and new writing. Despite being the smallest commercial theatre in the West End, its influence is anything but minor.
The Arts Theatre London stands out with its striking red-brick façade and charming arched windows. Inside, the compact yet cleverly designed auditorium offers excellent sightlines across two levels. Its versatility makes it an ideal stage for bold storytelling, fringe-style shows, and cult classics. Winner of Best Theatrical Venue at the Broadway World Awards, the Arts Theatre is a beloved space for performers and audiences alike.
The History of the Arts Theatre
The Arts Theatre London began life as the Arts Theatre Club in 1927, producing unlicensed experimental plays in defiance of theatrical censorship. One of its early successes, Richard of Bordeaux (1932), helped catapult the venue toward commercial prominence. A fire in the 1930s led to a major refurbishment, and by the 1940s, Alec Clunes had turned it into a hub for over 100 productions, earning it the nickname “The National Pocket Theatre.”
In the decades since, the Arts Theatre has hosted children’s theatre, cabaret, comedy, and groundbreaking plays. Legendary director Sir Peter Hall started his career here, and in more recent years, it has become a hotspot for cult shows and bold revivals. Today, it remains a fiercely independent venue, continually championing innovative, boundary-pushing theatre.
Where is the Arts Theatre?
The Arts Theatre is located at 6-7 Great Newport Street, London WC2H 7JB, just a short walk from Leicester Square and Covent Garden. Nestled in the buzzing heart of Theatreland, it’s easily accessible whether you're arriving on foot, by tube, or by bus.
Nearby landmarks include Leicester Square, Covent Garden Piazza, and the National Gallery. Whether you're grabbing dinner before a show or heading out for post-performance drinks, you'll find plenty to explore just minutes from the theatre.
Arts Theatre Nearest Tube
The Arts Theatre nearest tube stations are:
- Leicester Square Station (Northern and Piccadilly lines) – 2-minute walk
- Covent Garden Station (Piccadilly line) – 5-minute walk
- Tottenham Court Road (Central and Northern lines) – 8-minute walk
From Leicester Square, take the Cranbourn Street exit, turn left onto Charing Cross Road, and the theatre is just off Great Newport Street.
Arts Theatre Nearest Train Station
The closest overground station is Charing Cross Station, approximately a 7-minute walk away. From there, walk up Duncannon Street, cross over into St. Martin’s Place, and follow signs to Leicester Square.
Buses to Arts Theatre
Day and night buses serving the Arts Theatre London area include: 14, 19, 24, 29, 38, 176, N5, N19, N20, N29, N38, N41
The nearest bus stops are on Charing Cross Road and Shaftesbury Avenue. From there, the theatre is just a short walk down Great Newport Street.
Arts Theatre Accessibility
The Arts Theatre has step-free access to the foyer and Stalls level via a ramp. Wheelchair spaces are available in the Stalls, and accessible toilet facilities are provided. We recommend contacting the theatre in advance to arrange assistance if needed.
Arts Theatre Safety Policy
For the safety and comfort of all guests, bag checks are in operation before entry. Large bags or suitcases are not permitted in the auditorium. Please allow time for security measures when planning your arrival.
Arts Theatre Dress Code
There is no formal dress code at the Arts Theatre—smart casual attire is perfectly acceptable. Most theatregoers wear everyday clothes, but you’re welcome to dress up if you’re attending an evening performance, special event, or premiere. Read our What to Wear article for more information.
Arts Theatre Notable Productions
Over the years, the Arts Theatre has staged a range of standout productions, including Another Country, American Idiot, Avenue Q, Waiting for Godot, and The Toxic Avenger.
Arts Theatre Recent Productions
Recent hits at the Arts Theatre London include The Choir of Man, Six: The Musical (early run), SIX – Live at the Arts, I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical, and Cruise.
Arts Theatre Seating Plan
The Arts Theatre seating plan features a total capacity of 353 seats, split across two levels: 230 seats in the Stalls and 123 in the Circle. Due to the theatre’s compact design, audiences enjoy strong sightlines throughout, though premium seats in the centre Stalls (rows B–H) offer the best Arts Theatre seat view.
Circle Slips provide affordable options for those happy with a side-on view. The intimate layout ensures audiences feel close to the stage wherever they sit, making it a great venue for immersive and character-driven performances. Be sure to read our Arts Theatre Best Seats Guide to help you decide whereabouts to sit.

Frequently Asked Questions
Hold On To Your Butts is the current production at Arts Theatre. The latest booking period for Hold On To Your Butts at Arts Theatre started 10/12/2024 20:00:00 and runs until 31/08/2025 19:30:00. Tickets for Hold On To Your Butts start at £15 and are available to book now.
The Choir of Man is the current production at Arts Theatre. The latest booking period for The Choir of Man at Arts Theatre started 03/01/2023 19:30:00 and runs until 03/01/2026 19:30:00. Tickets for The Choir of Man start at £19 and are available to book now.
Father Christmas Needs a Wee! is the current production at Arts Theatre. The latest booking period for Father Christmas Needs a Wee! at Arts Theatre started 02/12/2023 10:00:00 and runs until 24/12/2025 09:00:00. Tickets for Father Christmas Needs a Wee! start at £28 and are available to book now.
Arts Theatre is located in London. The full address is Arts Theatre, 6-7 Great Newport Street, London WC2H 7JB.
There are 353 seats at the Arts Theatre. These are spread across two levels, the Stalls and the Circle.
The Arts Theatre is the West End’s smallest receiving house. The theatre, which shares a space with two cocktail bars, the Covent Garden Social Club on the first floor and the basement, is home to the Covent Garden Cocktail Club, first opened in 1927.
The nearest tube stations to the Arts Theatre are Leicester Square (Northern Line and Piccadilly) and Covent Garden (Piccadilly Line).
Yes, The Choir of Man treats some audience members to free beer, whether through pre-show bar celebrations, or the occasional surprise for those in aisle seats. Audience members can also purchase tokens before the show to exchange for a pint of beer on stage
The smallest West End theatre in London is the Arts Theatre, which holds 350 seats. Other small theatres in the West End include the Fortune Theatre with 432 seats and the Ambassadors Theatre which holds 444 seats.
Getting here
Closest Tube Station
Leicester Square, Covent GardenClosest Train Station
Charing CrossAt The Arts Theatre

Play
Hold On To Your Butts
The prehistoric parody 65 million years in the making

Musical
The Choir of Man
The Choir of Man returns to the West End for a drink at the best pub in the world!

Musical
Father Christmas Needs a Wee!
We're bursting with excitement for this Christmas show!
Play
Project Juno
Play
Dave Young "No Cutback's On Laughter"!
Musical
Some Girl I Used To Know
Denise Van Outen stars in her new musical play
Play
A Dish of Tea with Dr Johnson
Play
The Tailor-Made Man
Play
Summer Arts Festival: Cheeky Chappie
Play
Park Avenue Cat
Musical
Cemlyn Jones
Play
Woody Sez
Play
All That Fall
Play
The Pajama Men: Just The Two Of Each Of Us
Play
Dice House, The
Play
Summer Arts Festival: Sinful
Musical
Seussical
Play
A Walk On Part: The Fall Of New Labour
Play
Tim Key - Masterslut
Play
Summer Arts Festival: What About Samuel?
Play
American Justice
Play
Triple Espresso
Play
Baggage
Play
Happy Days
Play
Fuddy Meers
Musical
Cecil's Starlight Safari with The Musical Balloon Band
Play
Toyer!
Play
A Guide To Sexual Misery
Musical
Some Small Love Story
Play
Catwalk Confidential
Play
F**cking Men
Play
Shakespeare's Queens & The Madness of King Lear
Musical
Beyond The Fence
Play
Complete Works of Shakespeare
Play
Summer Arts Festival: The Last Lunch
Play
Storytime
Play
Fully Committed
Musical
I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change
Musical
The Tailor-Made Man
Play
Summer Arts Festival: Shappi Khorsandi
Play
Big Pants & Botox
Play
Red Bastard
Play
All That Fall
Play
Kingmaker
Dance
Summer Arts Theatre: The Arts Dance - An Evening of Contemporary Dance
Play
The Awkward Squad
Musical
The Mystery Of Edwin Drood
Musical
The Golden Voice
Play
Bombshells
Play
The Killing of Sister George
Musical
Summer Arts Festival: Barb Jungr
Play
NotMoses
Musical
Shout!
Play
Reduced Shakespeare Company's The Complete World Of Sports(Abridged)
Play
How to Lose Friends and Alienate People
Play
Summer Arts Festival: The Girl Who Trod on the Loaf
Play
Summer Arts Festival: The Hat Party
Play
A British Subject
Play
Hurricane
Musical
Drag Divas
Play
That Thing Friday Night
Play
Alternative Comedy Gala
Play
Stig of the Dump
Play
Madness of George Dubya, The
Play
Simon Amstell - Numb
Play
Lilies On The Land
Play
Dirty Great Love Story
Awarded a Scotsman Fringe First Award for outstanding new writing, Dirty Great Love Story combines drama and poetry.
Concert
All Or Nothing
1965. A new phenomenon erupted out of London’s East End. It was the essence of all that was cool. It was Mod.
Play
Wet Weather Cover
Play
Beautiful Thing
Play
Bette & Joan
Play
Bad Jews
The dark comedy returns to London's Arts Theatre for a limited run
Play
Oleanna
Oleanna returns to London! Tickets for the Arts Theatre run are available now!
Musical
All Or Nothing: The Mod Musical
1965. A new phenomenon erupted out of London’s East End. It was the essence of all that was cool. It was Mod.
Play
The Wipers Times
Returning to London's West End for 7 weeks only!
Play
Leave Hitler To Me, Lad
Musical
The Giant's Loo Roll
Watch out for some frightened sheep, lots of excited children and a fantastic amount of toilet paper in this rip roaring new musical
Play
Santa’s New Sleigh
Meet Santa and take a photo with him on his sleigh - so don’t forget to bring your cameras!
Musical
Lovesong of The Electric Bear
Musical
Guess How Much I Love You
The adorable hares from the classic children's book make their West End debut this Christmas.
Musical
The Toxic Avenger
Prepare to laugh, scream and sing as ‘Toxie’ rocks the house and saves the day!
Concert
The All or Nothing Experience
1965. A new phenomenon erupted out of London’s East End. It was the essence of all that was cool. It was Mod.
Musical
Murder Ballad
In the true tradition of all great murder ballads, when songs of love-gone-wrong are sung, blood must be spilled. The question is…by whom?
Play
Irvine Welsh’s PORNO
The darkly comic PORNO revisits the events of Trainspotting fifteen years later
Play
Rotterdam
'No, Alice, I don’t want to become a man, I just want to stop trying to be a woman.’
Concert
THE JUNGLE COMEDY LOCK-IN
A hilarious post-show event with some of London’s top stand-up comedians.
Musical
Frank's Closet
Step into Franks Closet for this extravagant musical making it’s West End Debut.
Play
Gatsby
Musical
American Idiot
Musical
Ruthless! The Musical
The Off-Broadway show that discovered young performers like Britney Spears and Natalie Portman comes to the West End!
Play
Ruby Wax: Sane New World
Musical
Knights of the Rose
Legendary classic rock meets Shakespeare, Marlowe and Chaucer