Across the road from the gigantic façade of Victoria Station is the magnificent Victoria Palace Theatre, now under multi-million pound renovation in preparation for hosting the Lin-Manuel Miranda musical sensation, Hamilton, from November 2017.
There has been a theatre on the site since 1832, well before the arrival of the railways, but with the inception of electricity, grand renovations were required, and the oldest licensed music hall was demolished in 1910. No expense was spared in its reopening later that year, and the Victoria Palace has had a long association with variety, music hall and musicals ever since.
Before going dark for renovation, the Victoria Palace Theatre had a large capacity, seating over 1500 audience members over 3 levels.
In recent years the theatre has housed the award-winning Billy Elliott, along with one of the West End’s longest-running production in Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story, but has recently undergone, much like the rest of the surrounding neighbourhood, a refurbishment to ensure it is ready to house the musical hits of the 21st century. Information on the new Victoria Palace Theatre is to be confirmed.