London’s Best Theatre on Your Doorstep

Explore the heart of Soho and the West End

In our pocket of London, tucked away off Regent Street and a Rolling Stone’s throw from the spirited streets of Soho, captivating narratives spill from the grand theatres just beyond Hotel Café Royal’s discreet façade. Poised like a Royal Box overlooking the capital’s vibrant arts scene, we have hand-picked a selection of new performances illuminating nearby stages throughout 2025.

Giant
The Harold Pinter Theatre, Pantiles, London, SW1Y 4AP

Meander along the elegant curve of Regent Street, through Piccadilly Circus’ raucous energy and onto the distinguished Haymarket. Here, the Harold Pinter Theatre is steeped in a rich theatrical history dating back to its opening in 1881. From celebrated performances that lifted spirits during the First World War to pioneering works by acclaimed playwrights including Pinter himself, its stage has welcomed luminaries and groundbreaking productions, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of London’s rich cultural landscape. Here, John Lithgow returns to his remarkable portrayal of Roald Dahl in Giant. Running from 26th April to 2nd August 2025, this thought-provoking play offers an intimate glimpse into the life and perspectives of the celebrated author.

Hercules
Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Catherine St, London, WC2B 5JF

In the heart of Covent Garden, Theatre Royal Drury Lane has graced the city’s cultural landscape through numerous incarnations. A pleasant 15-minute walk from Hotel Café Royal will bring you to this iconic venue, which has borne witness to 350 years of innovation, making a visit an immersion into an enduring theatrical legacy. From June 2025, its stage will come alive with the musical Hercules, based on the popular Disney film and featuring the artistry of Alan Menken’s music, a retelling of the thrilling journey of a hero being made. Prepare for an insightful journey of adventure and self-discovery, set within the intriguing world of ancient Greece.

The Fifth Step
Soho Place, 4 Soho Pl, London, W1D 3BG

Your brief five-minute walk from Hotel Café Royal to Soho Place offers a few notable sights. Keep an eye out for the various blue plaques adorning buildings, marking the former residences of significant figures from the area’s rich past. Finally, the contemporary façade of Soho Place itself will soon appear, a modern architectural statement nestled within this historic and lively district. David Ireland’s new play, The Fifth Step, is generating considerable excitement through its humorous exploration of the journey to sobriety. Directed with an intimate in-the-round staging by Finn den Hertog, the story offers a sensitive and subtly witty new theatrical experience. Featuring a stellar cast including Jack Lowden and Martin Freeman, this production runs from 12th May to 26th July 2025. 

Cabaret at The Kit Kat Club
The Playhouse Theatre, Northumberland Ave, London WC2N 5DE

A fifteen-minute stroll from Hotel Café Royal brings you into the heart of London’s theatre district, specifically to Northumberland Avenue. Step into the Kit Kat Club, a haven of liberation in a world undergoing profound change. Here in Berlin, inhibitions dissolve, and authenticity reigns. This fresh West End staging of Cabaret, one of the most celebrated musicals, reimagines Berlin’s infamous Kit Kat Club within the Playhouse Theatre, bringing to life iconic songs such as “Wilkommen” and “Cabaret” for an intimate and playful experience. 

The Comedy About Spies
The Noel Coward Theatre, St Martin’s Lane, London, WC2N 4AP

A notable neighbour of the Harold Pinter Theatre, the Noël Coward Theatre has welcomed celebrated talents such as Nicole Kidman and Alan Rickman to its stage. From the artistic minds behind The Play That Goes Wrong, their new comedy journeys into the world of 1960s espionage, where bungled operations and mistaken identities create a delightfully chaotic affair. As spies from East and West descend upon London’s Piccadilly Hotel in pursuit of pilfered secrets, a charmingly unaware young couple and a hopeful actor add to the delightful mayhem. Expect a cascade of comical miscommunications and double-crosses in this uproarious escapade.

My Neighbour Totoro
Gillian Lynne Theatre, Drury Ln, London, WC2B 5PW

Weave through the lively street performers surrounding Covent Garden until the Gillian Lynne Theatre gradually comes into view. The artistic adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbour Totoro returns to the stage from November 2025, and thoughtfully portrays the experiences of two young sisters and their enchanting encounters with amiable spirits and creatures of the forest. Following its celebrated run, the production’s imaginative stagecraft and heartfelt storytelling have already garnered remarkable critical acclaim. 

Explore the best of London’s evocative theatre culture during your stay at Hotel Café Royal.