Leading London theatres by number of seats
London theatre and the West End
Theatre in London is mostly based around the West End of London. West End theatre is commonly used to refer to commercial productions staged in the large theatres in or around the West End area of London. All the theatres featured in the ranking are part of the West End, with London Palladium arguably the most famous due to its roster of performers and many televised performances. Most theatres in the West End are known for musicals, which is the most attended theatre genre. The longest running productions on the West End are all musicals. The Mousetrap ranks first, running since 1952, and Les Misérables second, running from 1985.
Theatre and performing arts in the UK
The theatre industry in the United Kingdom is a major part of arts and culture. While most commercial theatre is based in London, some productions also tour regional theatres. Many theatres across England are also supported through funding from Arts Council England.