Built in 1904 by celebrated architect Frank Matcham- the London Coliseum is a spectacular grade II listed building. The Coliseum was built in the Italian Renaissance style. The unique and impressive globe that sits atop the theatre originally revolved until the London council decided it was unsafe. Nowadays the globe is stationary but fitted with a series of lights that give the illusion of rotation. The impressive exterior shields a huge scale venue capable of seating over two-thousand four-hundred theatre patrons. Designed to be ‘the Peoples Palace of Entertainment and Art’ the Coliseum boasted more sixty-five thousand visitors during its opening week. The opening week staged as many as four shows per day- all two hours each. A large scale refurbishment of the Coliseum began in 2002- the intention was to have the refurbishments completed in time for the theatres one hundredth birthday.
Before making its mark as a traditional theatre, the Coliseum began life by staging variety show from 1904 until the early thirties. During the thirties the Coliseum staged a successful string of American musicals including ‘Annie Get Your Gun’, ‘Guys and Dolls’, ‘Kiss me Kate’ and ‘Damn Yankees’.
In 1968 the Coliseum became home to the Sadler Wells Opera Company- later renamed the English National Opera. The London Coliseum now presents an annual season of English language Opera and often entertains ballet performances by the English National Ballet. In 2004 the English National Opera won the Laurence Olivier award for best new opera for their production of ‘the Trojans’.
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Listing Details
- Address: Saint Martin's Lane, Charing Cross,WC2N 4ES,United Kingdom
- Phone: 020 7836 0111
- Website: http://www.eno.org/see-whats-on/see-whats-on.php,http://www.eno.org/see-whats-on/see-whats-on.php
- Email: auditions@eno.org
- Get there by bus: 3, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 23, 24, 29, 53, 77a, 88, 91, 139, 159, 176
- Get there by tube/train: Charing Cross
- Wheelchair access: Yes
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Additional information:
The London Coliseum has enhanced its range of seating options for wheelchair users to include
Two wheelchair spaces in the Stalls, two wheelchair spaces in the Dress Circle and four wheelchair space in the Stalls Boxes.
Transfer seats for those who are able to transfer out of their wheelchairs, comprising four in the Dress Circle and six in the Balcony.
Adapted unisex toilets on four out of five levels of the London Coliseum: Basement, Stalls, Dress Circle and Balcony.
Two lifts – including one in the main foyer – which provide access to most levels of the auditorium and to all bars and restaurants
the Coliseum offers an enhanced infrared system for people with hard of hearing
We offer an enhanced sound system via headphones. To request this, please visit the Information Desk in the London Coliseum foyer.
ENO offers sign language-interpreted performances for many of its productions. To see which performance date is sign language-interpreted look at the Diary on the last page of our Opera Guide, for performances with an ‘S’ appearing next to them, or check the production pages on this site.
Access Scheme visitors with a disability can join our Access Scheme and purchase tickets at half-price or less, subject to availability. For more info, call 020 7845 9300, minicom: 020 7836 7666 or email: access@eno.org
Opening Times
- Monday 10am to 8pm
- Tuesday 10am to 8pm
- Wednesday 10am to 8pm
- Thursday 10am to 8pm
- Friday 10am to 8pm
- Saturday 10am to 8pm
- Sunday Closed
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