Criterion Theatre
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The tiny entrance of the Criterion Theatre is almost invisible among the massive advertisements, traffic and crowds of Piccadilly Circus. To ignore it, however, is to miss one of London's most enchanting theatres. Use of mirrors and stunning murals of clouds and cherubs turns this underground labyrinth into an airy paradise. It has shown a wide variety of fare since it opened in 1974, including the first UK production of Beckett's Waiting for Godot (1955). The Criterion's greatest successes have always come from bawdy comedy. A Little Bit of Fluff (1915) was blamed for the destruction of the public's morals with its brief flash of a woman's unclothed leg: it ran for 1241 performances. Run for Your Wife outdid this with a seven year run in the 1980s, and it recently played host to the Reduced Shakespeare Company, who performed their Complete Works of William Shakespeare more than 2000 times.
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Plan the perfect year in the capital with our pick of the best events in London 2019. From January to December, every month boasts an impressive line-up of entertainment. So take a look at our guide and be sure not to miss a thing.
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London > Hotels > Luxury Chain Hotel from £265 36% off
68 Regent Street, W1B | 2 minutes from Criterion Theatre
Café Royal is a 160-bedroom 5-star luxury hotel on Regent Street, in London's city centre overlooking Piccadilly Circus. The hotel has conference facilities, a cafe, bar ... More
London > Hotels > Mid-Range Chain Hotel from £50 31% off
Coventry Street, W1D | 2 minutes from Criterion Theatre
Located right next to Leicester Square, in the heart of London's West End, the Every Hotel Piccadilly is the perfect hotel for those wanting to enjoy ... More
London > Hotels > Luxury Chain Hotel from £189 33% off
21 Piccadilly, W1J | 2 minutes from Criterion Theatre
A hotel that is distinctly in the old English style, with magnificent antique décor, staff who are attentive, discreet, and ever so polite and, most importantly, ... More
London > Entertainment > Theatres
Coventry Street, Soho, London W1D | 2 minutes from Criterion Theatre
Theatres have stood on this spot since 1884, perfectly placed to draw the attention of the great crowds moving between Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square. The ... More
London > Entertainment > Theatres
Shaftesbury Avenue, Soho, London W1D | 2 minutes from Criterion Theatre
From the outside, the Gielgud Theatre is an impressive sight, towering four storeys over Shaftesbury Avenue, its height further emphasized by the turret on top. The ... More
London > Entertainment > Theatres
Haymarket, SW1Y | 3 minutes from Criterion Theatre
The Haymarket Theatre was built by John Potter on the site of the King's Head Inn and the Gun Smith shop in 1702. It has had ... More
London > Entertainment >
22-32 Shaftesbury Avenue, Trocadero, W1D | 1 minute from Criterion Theatre
From spring 2019 the Crystal Maze LIVE Experience comes to the West End. After three successful years in Angel, Islington (open until 28th ... More
London > Entertainment > Cinemas
7-14 Coventry Street, Soho, London W1D | 1 minute from Criterion Theatre
A vast and much needed improvement on the old Cineworld cinema in the Trocodero, Picturehouse Central opened in June 2015 and was treated to a full ... More
London > Entertainment > Comedy Clubs
1a Oxendon Street, Soho, London SW1Y | 2 minutes from Criterion Theatre
The Comedy Store is the spiritual home of stand-up in the UK. Despite being the best large comedy venue in the country, the Store still succeeds ... More
London > Events > Theatre Dates: 9th February to 22nd June 2019
Criterion Theatre, Haymarket, SW1Y | 3 minutes from Criterion Theatre
Paul Whitehouse and Jim Sullivan bring John Sullivan's much-loved sitcom to the London stage with Only Fools and Horses The Musical. Staged at the Theatre Royal ...More
London > Events > Theatre Dates: 1st January - 2nd March 2019
Criterion Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, Soho, London W1D | 3 minutes from Criterion Theatre
Jean Valjean, released on parole after 19 years on the chain gang, finds that the yellow ticket-of-leave he must, by law, display condemns him to be ...More
London > Events > Theatre Dates: 1st December 2018 to 23rd February 2019
Criterion Theatre, 14 Whitehall, SW1A | 7 minutes from Criterion Theatre
Following a smash hit sold-out run at the National Theatre, Nine Night, Natasha Gordon's "remarkable debut play" (Evening Standard) transfers to Trafalgar Studios in the West ...More
Sights and Attractions near Criterion Theatre
London > Attractions > Sights
Piccadilly Circus, Soho, London W1J | 1 minute from Criterion Theatre
Right in the middle of the West End, Piccadilly Circus isn't a circus at all, but an enormous road junction where Piccadilly itself Regent Street, Shaftesbury ... More
London > Attractions >
St James's, SW1Y | 2 minutes from Criterion Theatre
An impressive 450 million pound development in the heart of London, St James's Market ... More
London > Attractions > Art Galleries
Brewer Street, Soho, London W1F | 2 minutes from Criterion Theatre
A new gallery space dedicated to light art. ... More
London > Shopping > Food and Drink Shops
5 Denman Place, Soho, London W1D | 1 minute from Criterion Theatre
With specially sourced and blended teas and tisanes, working with multigenerational tea makers around the world, from Lithuania, Guatemala and France to India, Egypt and Japan, ... More
London > Shopping > Opticians
2 Denman Place, Ham Yard Village, Soho, London W1D | 1 minute from Criterion Theatre
Specialising in a one-to-one, high-spec/tech styling and custom-made service for handmade glasses and sunglasses, Eyewear Concierge has over 700 pairs of the highest quality independent eyewear ... More
Restaurants near Criterion Theatre
London > Restaurants > Modern European restaurants
224 Piccadilly, Soho, London W1J | 1 minute from Criterion Theatre
What makes the Criterion special is its truly spectacular neo-Byzantine interior which has been wowing diners ever since its doors swung open in 1873. Positioned in ... More
London > Restaurants > American restaurants
20-24 Shaftesbury Avenue, Soho, London W1D | 1 minute from Criterion Theatre
A tropical paradise for kids, at this buzzy cafe you can enjoy organic food in the company of animatronic animals and with the sounds of the ... More
London > Restaurants > Cafes and Delis
Unit 4, Piccadilly Circus Underground Station, St James's, London W1J | 1 minute from Criterion Theatre
Following in the successful footsteps of well respected coffee shops Shoreditch Grind and Soho Grind, Piccadilly Grind delivers quality coffee to commuters on the tube. Raising ... More
London > Education > Universities and Colleges
24 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, WC2H | 8 minutes from Criterion Theatre
The London Film School is the oldest-established international school of film technique in the world. The school has contributed significantly to ... More
London > Education > Cookery Courses
15B Little Portland Street, Fitzrovia, London W1W | 11 minutes from Criterion Theatre
Awarded The Best City Cookery School 2013, the Cookery School at Little Portland Street has been teaching people to make simple, honest food for more than ... More
London > Education > English Language Courses
10 Coptic Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1A | 11 minutes from Criterion Theatre
English [Out There!] takes a very hands-on approach to learning English. The course places an emphasis on using what you have learned. Students are taken out ... More
Leisure near Criterion Theatre
London > Leisure > Health and Beauty
10 Wardour Street, Soho, London W1D | 2 minutes from Criterion Theatre
On the 6th floor of the W London the AWAY Spa certainly takes you away from the manic pace of life in Leicester Square ... More
London > Leisure > Health and Beauty
6 Waterloo Place, St James's, London SW1Y | 5 minutes from Criterion Theatre
Opened in July 2009, So SPA by Sofitel is a stunning relaxation space - all marble and modern design - housed within the Sofitel St James ... More
Nightlife near Criterion Theatre
London > Nightlife > Bars
41 Great Windmill Street, W1D | 1 minute from Criterion Theatre
Taking its name from teenage boxer 'Kid Mears' (real name Jack Solomons), who found fame and money in British boxing's golden years after ... More
London > Nightlife >
215-217 Piccadilly, St James's, London W1J | 1 minute from Criterion Theatre
The team behind Madame Jojo's (RIP) return (hurrah!) with The Electric Carousel on the site where the legendary Pigalle Supper Club used to be, at 215-217 ... More
Meeting venue hire near Criterion Theatre
London > Business > Venue Hire
1 Suffolk Place, St James's, London SW1Y | 3 minutes from Criterion Theatre
A hip designer hotel by Tim and Kit Kemp in a grand building on the prestigious Haymarket, the broad boulevard street making for an impressive entrance. ... More
London > Business > Venue Hire
195 Piccadilly, St James's, London W1J | 3 minutes from Criterion Theatre
The home of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is also available to hire for your own event. The iconic building at 195 ... More
London > Business > Venue Hire
24-26 Leicester Square, Soho, London WC2H | 4 minutes from Criterion Theatre
One of London's biggest cinemas, the Odeon Leicester Square regularly plays host to premieres and awards ceremonies as well as screening the week's big releases. Aside ... More
Also in Piccadilly
Our recommendations in the same street as Criterion Theatre
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Hotels Near Criterion Theatre What's On Today Near Criterion Theatre White Impact Wedding Atelier, London 2019 Exhibitions | On 16th February 2019 Ten Room at Hotel Cafe Royal 1 minute walk from Criterion Theatre Exhibitions & Art, Art Fair....More The Best In Stand Up Comedy | On 16th February 2019 Comedy Store 2 minutes walk from Criterion Theatre MC Laura Lexx hosts, stand-up from Paul Tonkinson, Zoe Lyons, Simon Brodkin and Nabil Abdulrashid....More  The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time Theatre | Until 23rd February 2019 Piccadilly Theatre 2 minutes walk from Criterion Theatre The hugely popular stage adaptation of Mark Haddon's bestselling novel by Simon Stephens returns to the West End in November ...More Showtime - Love Songs Exhibitions | On 16th February 2019 Archer Street 2 minutes walk from Criterion Theatre Exhibitions & Art, Art Fair....More Saturday Showcase Comedy | On 16th February 2019 The Comedy Pub 2 minutes walk from Criterion Theatre Surreal observations and a cynical world view from Dan Evans, plus Noel Brodie, Joshua Robertson, Geoff Alderman and MC Paul ...More The Best In Stand Up Comedy | On 16th February 2019 Comedy Store 2 minutes walk from Criterion Theatre MC Laura Lexx hosts, stand-up from Paul Tonkinson, Zoe Lyons, Simon Brodkin and one more comedian to be confirmed, plus ...More  Everybody's Talking About Jamie Theatre | Until 28th September 2019 Apollo Theatre 2 minutes walk from Criterion Theatre Tom MacRae's musical Everybody's Talking About Jamie transfers to London's Apollo Theatre after an acclaimed run at the Sheffield Theatre. ...More  Company Theatre | Until 30th March 2019 Gielgud Theatre 2 minutes walk from Criterion Theatre Marianne Elliott - best known for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and War Horse - directs ...More Anya Hindmarch: The Weave Project Exhibitions | Until 19th February 2019 The Brewer Street Car Park 3 minutes walk from Criterion Theatre ...More  Les Miserables Theatre | Until 2nd March 2019 Queen's Theatre 3 minutes walk from Criterion Theatre Jean Valjean, released on parole after 19 years on the chain gang, finds that the yellow ticket-of-leave he must, by ...More New on LondonTown  Queen's Yard Summer Party Foodie Events | From 4th May Expanding to a two-day event in 2019, the Queen's Yard Summer Party sees 20 venues ...More The Phlebotomist Theatre | From 19th March Following a sold out run Downstairs in 2018, director Sam Yates revives Ella Road's provocative drama about a dystopian future on the theatre's main stage. The "terrific" (The Guardian) Jade Anouka plays Bea, who falls ...More  Vapiano Centre Point Dining Located within the Centre Point development, Vapiano is a pasta place where you top up ...More  Alys, Always Theatre | From 25th February Joanne Froggatt, who played Anna in Downton Abbey, takes on the lead role of Frances ...More A Midsummer Night's Dream Theatre | From 3rd June Reuniting the creative team who presented Julius Caesar at the Bridge in 2018, an immersive production of A Midsummer Night's Dream comes to the Tower Bridge theatre in summer 2019. Nicholas Hytner directs Shakespeare's comedy ...More  A German Life Theatre | From 6th April Dame Maggie Smith returns to the stage for the first time in twelve years to ...More The Bay At Nice Theatre | From 14th March Penelope Wilton and Ophelia Lovibond star in a new revival of David Hare's The Bay at Nice at the Menier Chocolate Factory with Richard Eyre directing. In the 75-minute play, set in Leningrad in the ...More  Fiddler On The Roof Theatre | From 21st March Proud father Tevye struggles to maintain his family's Jewish traditions in turn of the 20th ...More Little Miss Sunshine: A Road Musical Theatre | From 21st March Michael Arndt's Academy Award-winning film brought a little ray of sunshine to our lives in 2006 and this musical adaptation directed by Mehmet Ergen is set to do ...More  Emilia Theatre | From 8th March Hailed as "an act of revolution" (The Times) and "a landmark moment in the history ...More  Bite Me Theatre | From 13th March Joanne McNally's play about a diet, where not only did she lose weight, she lost ...More  Teatulia Dining This Covent Garden tea bar serves single-origin tea, tea-infused cocktails, a library of books and ...More  Barullo Dining Victor Garvey, of award-winning Catalan restaurant Rambla, is behind this fun, colourful Spanish restaurant in ...More  Tate to Tate Transport This slick river service transports art lovers from one of the city's best galleries to ...More  W12 Studios Dining A creative, communal space with room for 450, W12 Studios combines street food with music ...More London Events 2019 Feature Cate Blanchett comes to the National Theatre in 2019, the Spice Girls reunite and Christian Dior is the Designer of Dreams at the V&A. New musicals are dedicated to Dolly Parton, Pirates and Mary Poppins, ...More 
Hotels near Criterion Theatre
From cheap budget places to stay to luxury 5 star hotels see our discounts for Criterion Theatre hotels, including Every Hotel Piccadilly from 91% off. |
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