Adelphi Theatre

The Adelphi Theatre stands on the Strand in the City of Westminster, central London. It is a West End theatre, the fourth building on this site. The present structure dates from 1930 and was designed in the Art Deco style by Ernest Schaufelberg. Before this, three earlier theatres occupied the same spot. The theatre is Grade II listed for historical preservation. The Adelphi has long specialised in comedy and musical theatre. In the 19th century it became known for melodramas called ‘Adelphi Screamers’. Many of Charles Dickens’s early works were adapted for its stage, including *The Pickwick Papers* and *A Christmas Carol*. The theatre also hosted the first public performance of Arthur Sullivan’s *Cox and Box* in 1867. Later, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s *Sunset Boulevard* and *Evita* played here after major refurbishments. Inside, the auditorium reflects its Art Deco origins with clean lines and stylish detailing. The stage door opens into Maiden Lane, where a plaque marks the spot where actor William Terriss was fatally stabbed in 1897. Nearby, the Adelphi Restaurant retains its original 1880s frontage. Today the theatre presents a mix of musicals and plays, continuing a tradition that began over two centuries ago.