The Savoy Theatre is located on famous London thoroughfare the Strand, next to the historic Savoy Hotel. The venue originally opened in 1881 and was built by Richard D’Oyly Carte, specifically to perform Gilbert and Sullivan light operas. Some of the duo’s most popular shows, such as The Mikado premiered at The Savoy.
The Savoy Theatre was the first public building in the world to be lit entirely by electricity. The auditorium suffered major fire damage in 1990, but was reopened in 1993, refurbished to the original 1929 vision. Now, the auditorium and public areas exist as a perfect representation of the original building, but with modern amenities available.
The Savoy Theatre is now best-known for hosting a variety of successful musicals, including Gypsy, starring Imelda Staunton, Legally Blonde and the West End premiere of Dreamgirls. In 2019 it hosted Dolly Parton musical 9 to 5, which starred David Hasselhoff for a limited number of performances. In July 2021 Pretty Woman: The Musical transferred to The Savoy after first opening at the Piccadilly Theatre on Valentine’s Day 2020; it closed in June 2023.
