Apollo Theatre

The Apollo Theatre opened its doors on February 21, 1901, claiming the distinction of being the first new theater built in London during the Edwardian era. Its name honors Apollo, the Greek god of the arts and leader of the Muses, which was a fitting choice for a venue originally intended specifically for musical entertainment. The building is a rare example of a freehold theater in London, meaning the land beneath it is owned by the theater management rather than leased from a larger estate. This independence is a legacy of the original owner, Henry Lowenfeld, who purchased the site on the then-newly constructed Shaftesbury Avenue to ensure his theater had a permanent home.