Lyric Theatre

The Lyric Theatre, which opened its doors in December 1888, holds the distinction of being the oldest surviving theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue. Its construction was funded by producer Henry Leslie, who poured the massive profits from his hit comic opera, Dorothy, directly into the project. The architect, C. J. Phipps, was tasked with creating this new venue during a decade-long building boom that fundamentally reshaped the West End into the theatrical hub it is today.