The Old Vic

The Old Vic is an independent and non-profit producing theatre that has made its mark on the industry with numerous groundbreaking performances. It is now one of the best-known and most-loved theatres in London. 

It has been home to some of the greatest British acting talent, including Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud, Ralph Richardson, Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Peter O’Toole. 

The Old Vic Theatre Company has a rich history of world-class performances and continues to this day to tell stories while striving to make theatre accessible to all.

About The Old Vic Theatre in London 

The Old Vic is a well-known theatre in London's cultural landscape, staging groundbreaking productions that have been must-sees in British theatre for over 200 years. The Old Vic stages a mix of traditional plays, classic musicals, modern works and innovative new pieces, making it a vibrant cultural institution. 

The Old Vic strives to be a space for creativity and community building, fostering a space for storytelling and bringing educational programmes from local communities through their Backstage hub.

History of The Old Vic 

The Old Vic is a theatre that has gone through many different eras. Initially opened in 1818 as the Royal Colburn Theatre, it was renamed the Royal Victoria Theatre in 1833. It was then rebuilt in 1871 and became known as the Royal Victoria Palace. By the 1880s, it had become known as the Old Vic, a name it has kept ever since. During that time, 'penny lectures' were organised in the hall, laying the foundations for Morley College. Lectures were initially given backstage and in dressing rooms before moving to the college's own building in the 1920s.

In 1912, Lilian Baylis took over the management of the Old Vic, obtaining a theatre licence and starting to stage theatre performances. Since then, the theatre had a long-standing tradition of staging Shakespeare's plays. The Old Vic theatre was damaged during the Blitz, reopening in 1950 under the direction of Michael Benthall. The theatre reintroduced Shakespeare’s masterpieces, notably starring Judi Dench in Hamlet in 1957. The Old Vic has brought some of the best talent to the stage, including some of the biggest names in the industry: Laurence Olivier, whose name is behind the industry's most prestigious awards, the Olivier Awards.

Today, the theatre is established as one of London's leading theatre companies, with a strong international reputation. It has staged musicals such as Groundhog Day and Girl from the North Country, both of which went on to run on Broadway. The theatre's fastest-selling musical to date, Just For One Day, premiered at the Old Vic in 2024 before moving to the Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End in 2025.

What’s On at The Old Vic in London 

The Old Vic's 2025 season will bring a mix of iconic revivals and new work to the stage, set to delight theatre fans.

Mary Page Marlowe (23 Sep – 01 Nov)

Dive into a whirlwind of a story, featuring Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon, as this UK premiere takes you through the life of one woman, Mary Page Marlowe, across all life stages, spanning 70 years and portrayed by five different actors, in a vivid portrayal of an extraordinary life.

Book your tickets for Mary Page Marlowe

A Christmas Carol – A Version by Jack Thorn (18 Nov – 10 Jan)

The Dickens classic A Christmas Carol is back on stage by popular demand, adapted by Jack Thorne and starring Paul Hilton as Ebenezer Scrooge. The Old Vic's unique staging and production, complete with the scent of oranges and mince pies, immerses audiences in Dickens' universe. As ever, against the festive backdrop, Scrooge is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, in an attempt to revive joy and merriment.

Book your tickets for A Christmas Carol

How to get tickets for shows at The Old Vic? 

You can book your tickets with Visit London for the production of your choice shown at The Old Vic London theatre by clicking on the booking button on this page.

Why you should go to The Old Vic

Over the last few decades, the Old Vic has built quite a the reputation, becoming one of the world's most famous theatres and setting the stage for some of today's best actors, including Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, Maggie Smith and Peter O'Toole. You might catch a glimpse of tomorrow's stars.

The Old Vic London seating plan 

The theatre has a total capacity of 1,572, split into different sections: 600 seats in the stalls, 399 in the stage stalls, 232 in the dress circle and 269 in the Lilian Baylis circle.

What are the best seats at The Old Vic?

The semi-circular auditorium offers a variety of views depending on your seat location.

The middle front rows of the stalls offer a magnificent view of the stage, with rows E to L being the best. The front to middle rows (A to D) of the dress circle also offer a great panoramic view of the stage.

Budget-friendly tickets are available to purchase and are generally located at the back of the stalls with a fairly unobstructed view. Alternatively, the Lilian Baylis Circle seats offer a panoramic view of the stage, but have limited legroom.

Is The Old Vic Accessible? 

The Old Vic strives to provide a great experience for all visitors, offering an accessible programme to ensure that assistance is available for those who need it.

A platform lift is available by the theatre’s Waterloo entrance, providing access to the theatre foyer (as the main entrance has a few steps). Another lift provides access to designated accessible seats in the stalls, with up to 10 seats available to be booked in advance. Please contact the theatre in advance if you require specific assistance.

Two types of hearing device are available for theatregoers who are deaf or hard of hearing: headsets for those who don’t use hearing aids but need amplified sound, and neck loops to be used with a hearing aid when it is switched to the T setting. Hearing sets can be collected from the cloakroom in the theatre foyer before the performance. 

How do I get to The Old Vic? 

The Old Vic is located on The Cut, very close to Waterloo Station.  

How to get there

• Underground – The nearest Underground station is Waterloo (Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern and Waterloo & City lines), only two minutes from the venue.
• Bus – Numerous bus lines stop nearby at Waterloo Station Stop D (68, 172, 176, N68, N171 and SL6), only a short walk away to the theatre.
• Cycling – Rent a Santander bike and head towards Baylis Road where you can find a Santander docking station to park your bike. The Old Vic is just a few minutes’ walk away. 

Visit London's top tip for visiting The Old Vic 

Ned Seago, the stage door manager, has been organising history tours for years, with the last one taking place in July 2025. Make sure to keep an eye on the Old Vic website to avoid missing out on the next one. Having worked at The Old Vic for more than 30 years, Ned Seago is the perfect person to reveal the inner workings of a theatre. 

What time does The Old Vic box office open? 

The Old Vic box office is open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 5.30 pm. On performance days, it is open from 10 am until the performance starts, as well as on Saturdays. To save time, you can also book tickets online via Visit London, where you can choose your seats using the seating plan. 

What food and drink is available at The Old Vic? 

The Old Vic has an all-day café bar serving hot drinks and pastries during the day (closing at 5 pm), as well as a late-night basement bar offering a selection of drinks and snacks. 

Does The Old Vic have a cloakroom? 

The cloakroom is located in the foyer. Please note that only small bags are permitted in the auditorium. You can leave items at the cloakroom, but large bags won’t be accepted. If you need to leave bigger belongings, use one of London’s nearby luggage storage facilities instead.  

Are children allowed at The Old Vic performances? 

Children under three years old are not permitted in the auditorium unless the age guidance for the show specifies otherwise. It is recommended that you check in advance. All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. 

Which hotels are nearby The Old Vic? 

There’s no shortage of hotels around The Old Vic, with options to suit every budget and style. Here are some of our top picks: 

• Hilton Southbank (11 minutes’ walk)

Just a stone’s throw from Southbank, Hilton Bankside pairs style and comfort across 292 modern rooms. With a gym, indoor pool and the relaxed OXBO restaurant on site, it’s a great choice for your stay near the Globe.

• NOX Waterloo (4 minutes’walk)

Right by Waterloo station, NOX offers modern studios that blend comfort with great value. Each comes with handy amenities like a kitchenette, giving you the freedom of a home base in the city.  

Which restaurants are nearby The Old Vic? 

The Cut, home to the Old Vic, features a wide range of restaurants, many of which have outdoor seating areas in the summer. 

Mesón Don Felipe, one of the oldest tapas restaurants, opened in London in 1987, it is famous for its paella and tarta de queso (baked creamy cheesecake). 

Just a stone's throw away from the theatre, The Duke of Sussex is a gastro pub boasting a menu of dishes made from locally sourced ingredients, with highlights including cheddar croquettes, bangers and mash, and pan-seared sea bass.