Since 1927 the Arts has played a pivotal role in the London theatre ecosystem. As a membership theatre, it could present work that would otherwise be censored for the public by the laws at the time. It has previously been helmed by great artistic directors such as Alec Clunes and Sir Peter Hall, who in 1955 presented the English language world première of Waiting for Godot, before going on to run the National Theatre.

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Between 2010-2026 under Executive Director Louis Hartshorn and Managing Director Lizzie Scott’s leadership, the theatre became one of the most sought-after venues in the West End, concluding with runs of Six and Choir of Man which both developed into national and international smash-hits via their time at the theatre.

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During this recent era, the theatre has been a home to many of stage and screen’s great actors: Dame Eileen Atkins, Sir Ian McKellen, Michael Gambon, John Cleese, Simon Callow, Eddie Redmayne, Sam West, Rosamund Pike, Tim Minchin and great directors: Sir Trevor Nunn, Michael Grandage, Luke Sheppard, Sam Pinkleton and many others.

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Notable recent productions include All That Fall, American Idiot, Ghost Stories, Murder Ballad, A View From Islington North, Bad Jews, Oleanna, A Christmas Carol, and Six the Musical, followed by the record-breaking Choir of Man, which seen by more patrons than any other show in the Arts Theatre’s history.

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The theatre closed pending major works on 4th January 2026, and Louis and Brian are working on plans for the renovation and relaunch of the theatre, bringing it into its 2nd century as a vital piece of the West End.