Sadler's Wells Theatre London - Britain All Over Travel Guide

Sadler’s Wells, London

Sadler’s Wells on Rosebery Avenue in the Angel, London is an historic theatre dating back to the 17th century. It is now one of the leading dance venues in the world.

Altogether Sadler’s Wells maintains four theatres. These are the 1,500-seat main auditorium and the 180-seat Lilian Baylis Studio at the original Rosebery Avenue venue, plus the 1000-seat Peacock Theatre in Holborn and Sadler’s Wells East due to open in 2023 in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford.

The theatre dates back to the late 17th century

History

There has been a theatre at the Clerkenwell site since 1683. The present theatre is, in fact, the sixth. The original theatre was started by Richard Sadler who opened his “Musick House” above some recently rediscovered wells – hence the name.

People came to take the healing water and listen to music as was popular in the more fashionable spa city of Bath. The wells gradually dried up and the theatre plunged downmarket, acquiring a reputation for debauchery.

Water was brought back to the theatre, however, in its second incarnation. A huge tank covering the whole stage was built with water pumped from the nearby New River – an artificial water built to bring water to London. Naval battles of the time where re-enacted in spectacular melodramas and proved extremely popular. By the mid-19th century the theatre became well-known for its Shakespeare productions before returning to melodrama and music hall in a fourth theatre opened in 1879.

Curtain call for a performance of Romeo & Juliet, 2023, directed by Matthew Bourne with the score by Prokofiev

Dance

Sadler’s Wells association with dance began with theatrical producer, Lilian Mary Baylis (1874-1937), and the fifth theatre built at the site in 1931.

Her theatre companies established at Sadler’s Wells would eventually evolve into the English National Opera (ENO), the English National Theatre and The Royal Ballet.

The current theatre dates from 1998 and hosts performances by visiting UK dance companies and others from around the world. It also also hosts the National Youth Dance Company (NYDC) and provides support for young dancers through its various Associate Artists schemes.

The 2022 summer program gives an idea of the diverse global talent on show at Sadler’s Wells with mime from Japan, a Flamenco Festival as well as performances of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific by the Chichester Festival Theatre and Don Quixote by the Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Inside the theatre is the Fox Garden Court Cafe for refreshments. Nearby pubs include The Harlequin and Shakespeare’s Head both on Arlington Way behind the theater.

The theatre is one of the premier dance venues in the world; © Hiro Taniguchi

Access – Getting There

183 Rosebery Avenue
London EC1R 4TN
Tel: 020 7863 8000 (Ticket Office)

The nearest underground station to the theatre is the Angel on the Northern Line. Several buses stop at the Sadler’s Wells bus stop near the theatre including the 19, 38, 341, N19, N38, and N41.

From Farringdon Station on the Elizabeth Line, tube and Thameslink take the 341 bus.