Home : London Theatres : Criterion Theatre

Criterion Theatre 

a theatre situated on Piccadilly Circus in the West End of London. The remarkable thing about the Criterion Theatre is that almost the entire building is underground and even the upper Circle can't be reached without going down stairs.

Situated entirely underground, the theatre was designed by Thomas Verity and the Survey of London vol XXIX considered the Criterion Theatre to be the best surviving example of his work. It opened in 1874 and is a Grade II* listed building. It was closed for refurbishement between 1989 and 1992. Its capacity is 594.

From 1996 to 2005 it was home to productions of the Reduced Shakespeare Company, The Complete Works of Shakespeare, The Complete History of America, and The Bible, The Complete Word of God. The Criterion Theatre regularly plays host to East 15 Acting School''s annual student showcases.