Sweet Bird of Youth at Old Vic Theatre

The Old Vic Theatre is situated on the corner of The Cut and Waterloo Road, close to Waterloo rail and tube stations. Built in 1818, the international profile of this historic 1067 seat venue has been raised in recent years thanks to its association with its Artistic Director, Hollywood superstar Kevin Spacey.

The Old Vic’s opening night took place nearly two centuries ago on May 18 1818, when it was known as the Royal Coburg Theatre. It featured a stylistic smorgasbord of performances:  Midnight Revalry, a Harlequinade, Asiatic Ballet Alora and Nerine and a melodrama, Trial by Battle.

Like any long-serving institution, the Old Vic has experienced its fair share of changes over the years.  It had been a success from the get-go as the Royal Coburg, but a tragic accident in 1858 caused the death of 16 patrons when they were trying to flee the theatre during a false fire alarm. For many years after the incident the theatre struggled until eventually it was sold in 1871.

The theatre reopened in 1871 as The New Victoria. Over the next few years the theatre went through a number of name changes including the Royal Victoria Coffee and Music Hall and the Royal Victoria Hall and Coffee Tavern before finally settling on The Old Vic.  

During the London Blitz In 1941 the theatre sustained serious bomb damage, forcing its closure for almost a decade. It reopened in November 1950 as the temporary home of the National Theatre company.

From 1976 the Old Vic enjoyed great success as a receiving house (a theatre that hosts outside productions) before becoming a producing house once more in 2004.

Recent successes include As You Like It, The Tempest, A Flea in Her Ear, Richard III, The Playboy of the Western World, Noises Off and Democracy.

Whatever you decide to see at the Old Vic, we wish you an entertaining and rewarding visit.