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Apollo Victoria Theatre on West End: Book Tickets Now

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Wicked

Highlights

Celebrate the 16th year of this award-winning production.

Enjoy a clever and captivating retelling of The Wizard of Oz’s backstory.

Witness the journey of two university friends becoming Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Join over 10 million London attendees and nearly 6000 performances.

Be part of the 9th longest-running musical in West End history.

The magnificent Apollo Victoria Theatre is a sprawling Art Deco masterpiece located directly across from London’s bustling Victoria Station. Best known as the permanent, spellbinding home of the smash-hit musical Wicked since 2006, this iconic 2,300-seat venue continually dazzles audiences with its cavernous interiors and striking emerald-green lighting.

Good to Know About Apollo Victoria Theatre

Arrive early for security: Mandatory bag screenings are carried out at the doors, and the main foyers and bars open a generous 90 minutes before the performance begins.

Age restrictions are strictly enforced: Wicked is officially recommended for audiences aged seven and older, and children under the age of five are strictly prohibited from entering the auditorium.

No cloakroom for large luggage: The venue does not operate a cloakroom for bulky suitcases or large backpacks, so visitors should utilize nearby storage facilities at Victoria Station before arriving.

Completely cashless operations: The theatre operates on a strict card-only basis, meaning contactless or card payments are required for all bar, snack, and merchandise purchases.

Step-free access location: Wheelchair users and those needing step-free access should use the Vauxhall Bridge Road entrance and arrive 30-45 minutes early to utilize the platform lift to the Circle level.

Prepare for sensory elements: The production of Wicked features sudden loud noises, flashing lights, heavy stage smoke, and strobe lighting effects throughout the performance.

No steep upper balcony levels: Unlike many older West End playhouses, the theatre features a very simple layout with only two seating tiers – the Stalls and the Dress Circle – making navigation much easier.

Accessible restroom facilities: A fully accessible, step-free toilet is conveniently located in the main foyer near the Vauxhall Bridge Road entrance for easy access before and during the show.

About Apollo Victoria Theatre

Originally opening its doors in 1930 as the New Victoria Cinema, this magnificent Grade II* listed building was masterfully designed by architects W.E. Trent and E. Wamsley Lewis as a sprawling "super cinema" and variety venue. Uniquely constructed with two nearly identical facades facing Wilton Road and Vauxhall Bridge Road, the breathtaking interior was designed to evoke a magical underwater palace, heavily featuring nautical Art Deco motifs, scalloped details, and sweeping curves. As the popularity of mega-cinemas declined in the 1970s, the building was incredibly saved from demolition by its massive, fully equipped live stage facilities, allowing it to seamlessly transition into a premier musical theatre venue.

Today, owned by the Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG), the Apollo Victoria stands as one of the UK’s best-preserved 1930s cinemas, initially cementing its theatrical legacy by hosting Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express for 18 years before welcoming the gravity-defying global sensation Wicked.

How to Get to Apollo Victoria Theatre?

Apollo Victoria Theatre
17 Wilton Road, Pimlico, London, SW1V 1LG

This massive, marine-themed Art Deco venue is located directly across from Victoria Station, making it exceptionally easy to find. Positioned perfectly for theatregoers, it serves as one of the most highly accessible theatrical hubs in London's West End district.

Directions

By Underground
By Bus
By Car

By Underground

Victoria station is located immediately opposite the theatre and offers a direct, two-minute walk to the entrance via the Victoria, District, and Circle lines.
Additionally, national rail services run extensively into the main Victoria mainline station for those travelling from outside London.

By Bus

The venue is incredibly well-connected by bus, with the Victoria bus station located just a brief walk away.

Major routes serving the immediate area include numbers 2, 11, 16, 24, 36, 38, 44, 52, 73, 148, 170, 185, 211, 390, 507, C1, and C10.

By Car

Driving is strongly discouraged as the venue sits within London's Congestion Charge zone, and local street parking is extremely limited.

For individuals requiring a vehicle, the Q-Park Victoria car park on Arneway Street provides secure, paid parking within a short walking distance.

Apollo Victoria Theatre - Seating Info & Auditorium

Capacity & Layout: The cavernous venue boasts a massive capacity of approximately 2,328 seats spread across just two exceptionally wide levels: the Stalls on the ground floor and the sweeping Dress Circle above.
Best Sections: For the most immersive, detail-rich experience, the central Stalls (Rows F to P) are exceptional, while the front-to-mid rows of the Dress Circle provide a brilliant, panoramic overview of the show's massive mechanical scenic elements and flying effects.
Views: Because the venue was originally built as a sprawling "super cinema," the auditorium is exceptionally wide and boasts an excellent, steep floor rake that provides fantastic sightlines across all price bands. Budget-conscious buyers can find great value at the rear of the Stalls or the back of the Dress Circle, as the lack of an upper balcony tier means there are no severe ceiling overhangs to obstruct your view of the stage.

Apollo Victoria Theatre - Facilities and Accessibility

The Apollo Victoria Theatre is well-equipped with amenities across its levels, providing audience members with plenty of options for refreshments and memorabilia. Multiple bars and merchandise kiosks are located throughout both the Stalls and Circle areas, offering official show programs, souvenirs, snacks, and a wide selection of drinks before the show and during the interval.
Standard restrooms are available on all levels, though most require navigating stairs to reach them. For guests who choose to stay in their seats during the busy intermission, the venue operates an Ordertorium at-seat service, allowing you to scan a QR code and have snacks and drinks delivered directly to you.
For patrons with specific accessibility requirements, step-free access is provided through a dedicated side entrance on Vauxhall Bridge Road. This street-level entrance leads directly into the Stalls, where the theatre provides designated wheelchair spaces and companion seating with an excellent view of the stage, alongside an accessible unisex restroom.
To ensure a smooth and welcoming experience, access guests are encouraged to arrive about 45 minutes prior to the performance to be greeted by the theatre's specialized access host. Furthermore, the auditorium features a dual channel infrared system for hearing assistance, with both loop and headset-type receivers available to borrow from the cloakroom.

FAQs about Apollo Victoria Theatre

What time do the theatre doors open before a performance?

The main theatre doors and bars open 90 minutes before the scheduled curtain time, allowing you ample time to clear security, grab a drink, and find your seats.

Is there a specific dress code required to watch the show?

There is no official dress code enforced at the venue, so audience members are entirely welcome to attend the performance in casual, comfortable clothing.

What happens if I arrive late to the performance?

Latecomers will not be admitted immediately and must wait until a designated suitable break in the performance, which typically occurs approximately 25 minutes after curtain-up.

Can I bring large suitcases or backpacks into the theatre?

The venue does not operate a cloakroom for bulky items, meaning large bags, pushchairs, and suitcases must be stored at nearby transit facilities like Victoria Station before you arrive.

Are outside food and drink items permitted inside the auditorium?

You are perfectly fine to bring in cold snacks and water in plastic bottles, but outside alcohol, glassware, and hot food are strictly prohibited inside the building.

Does the theatre offer any parking discounts for audience members?

Patrons can receive a 15 percent discount at the nearby Q-Park Pimlico facility by pre-booking their parking space online through the theatre's official ATG partner link.

How can I book accessible tickets or specialized wheelchair spaces?

Wheelchair-accessible locations and step-free companion seating must be reserved in advance by directly contacting the venue's dedicated accessibility booking team.