London Coliseum

The London Coliseum is a large Edwardian theatre on St Martin’s Lane in central London that opened in 1904. It is one of the city’s biggest theatres and serves as a major venue for opera and touring musicals.

The principal attraction is the vast horseshoe auditorium with ornate decorative plasterwork and a large stage area suitable for opera and ballet; seating capacity is around 2,300. Patrons also use the foyers, bars and boxes that retain much of their original Edwardian detail.

Performance season includes full-scale opera productions, occasional concerts and West End transfers, with varying programme sizes and running times depending on the production. Guided tours are available at scheduled times and typically include the foyer, auditorium and backstage glimpses.

Designed by theatre architect Frank Matcham for impresario Oswald Stoll, the building opened in 1904 and originally presented variety and musical shows. Over the 20th century it hosted films, musicals and later became the principal home of the English National Opera from the late 1960s onward, with periodic restoration works to conserve interior decoration.

The Coliseum sits on St Martin’s Lane near Covent Garden in Westminster, central London, within walking distance of Leicester Square and the West End theatre district.

• Tours and performances: Ticketed guided tours explain the building's Edwardian architecture and backstage areas; matinee and evening programmes vary by season.
• Resident company: Home base of English National Opera, providing a regular season of opera and large-scale musical theatre events.

What to See #

• Auditorium: Principal horseshoe auditorium seating roughly 2,300 people across stalls, dress circle and balcony; noted for its large proscenium and tiered sightlines.
• Stage and wings: Stage and flytower equipped for opera and large-scale theatrical productions, with a wide apron and deep wing space for sets and orchestras.
• Foyers and public areas: Original Edwardian foyers and staircases with decorative plasterwork and mosaics, forming the main public circulation and bar areas.