Located in the heart of London’s West End, more exactly in Soho, Prince Edward is one of the most known theatres in London mainly for the amazing theatre plays that took place in the past, as well as in the present. It opened in April 1930, with a romantic musical that unfortunately closed after only 59 representations: Rio Rita.
The joint-architect from Piccadilly theatre, Edward A. Stone, was the mastermind behind an amazing auditorium, which can house over 1,650 people, decorated in the fashionable art-Deco style with a foyer that had staircases leading to the stalls and dress circle. Specifically designed for large musicals, the stage at Prince Edward Theatre was overcome in size only by the stages at Covent Garden and Drury Lane.
After experiencing such fable success with Rio Rita, Prince Edward Theatre fell into the shadows regarding musicals, but kept on thriving as a cabaret or casino where famous names like Big Crosby used to entertain the audience, or as a cinema from 1954. Its grand reopening came with the famous play “Evita”, staring Lady Elaine Page, in 1978 and was performed for 8 years, under the careful supervision of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.
Today, one of the most popular London theatre plays which you may be able to enjoy at the Prince Edward Theatre is “Jersey Boys” that has been running for the last 5 years, since its opening in March 2008 and that will be available until 9th March 2014. Featuring all the classic hits: SHERRY, CAN’T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU, BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY, BYE BYE BABY (BABY GOODBYE), WALK LIKE A MAN, WORKING MY WAY BACK TO YOU, DECEMBER 1963 (OH WHAT A NIGHT) and more, “Jersey Boys” tells the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons while they are on their journey to success as international rock stars. Ryan Molloy, Jon Boydon, David McGranaghan and Edd Post recreate the amazing world of the Jersey Boys and lead the audience into an amazing visual and audio experience. You can still enjoy this wonderful performance and be a part of a worldwide known experience and cultural enhancement.
For the next step, Prince Edwards theatre has decided to invite its faithful audience to a wonderful romantic war story, “Miss Saigon”, which takes place during the final days of Saigon’s American occupation, in 1975. The story of a 17 year old bar girl named Kim will impress everyone, because it presents the hard life of a war orphan. John and Chris, two American GI will have their lives completely changed by this amazing presence in their life, Kim. Public Booking opens in September 2013 and “Miss Saigon” will have its premiere in May 2014, giving the crew at Prince Edward Theatre only 2 months to create the scenography and set up the technical details needed for another of the many state of the art London theatre plays available for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear.
The Shows of Prince Edward theatre have always enchanted the audience and have been played with the sold out sign for many years at a time. Chess, Evita, Mamma Mia!, Mary Poppins or Anything Goes are only a few of the plays that are a trademark for the theatre and let the world know what kind of quality they offer to their audience.