Prince of Wales Theatre

The Prince of Wales Theatre was named so in 1886, after the future Edward VII. Its first production was W. S. Gilbert’s The Palace of Truth, and the year after the theatre showed Princess George and The School for Scandal. These starred Lillie Langtry, who is reputedly the first reputable woman of society to become an actress as a career choice. The first real hit at the theatre however, was the comic opera Dorothy, which was so popular that the profits were used to build the Lyric Theatre. In 1937 the theatre underwent extensive renovations works. When it began, the famous performer Gracie Fields sang to workmen as the foundation for the new theatre was laid. More recent productions have included The Witches of Eastwick, The Full Monty and Abba's musical Mamma Mia.