Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) today announces the signing of an initial 10-year lease with Capital Theatre,for a new permanent 36,000 sq. ft venue, located on the ground floor of the former Debenhams unit at Westfield London. The venue will launch with Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage, following the record-breaking success of Dirty Dancing as the fastest-selling show in West End theatre history.
Set to open in October 2025, Capital Theatre at Westfield London will offer audiences an intimate and immersive theatre experience, with each of its 620 seats placed within nine rows of the stage. The venue is to be operated by Adam Kenwright and his company Kindred Partners, in partnership with award winning producer, Karl Sydow.
The partnership, along with Dirty Dancing’s debut at this unique venue, highlights URW’s long-term commitment to delivering innovative concepts in retail and leisure. Capital Theatre is the latest addition to enhance Westfield London’s robust, experience-driven entertainment offering.
Westfield London already offers a diverse array of popular leisure and entertainment options, with 180,000 sq. ft of active leisure space and an additional 83,000 sq. ft in development. Current attractions include Exhibition London—a 17,000 sq. ft music and events venue—plus mini-golf, climbing, and bowling experiences like Sixes, Puttshack, City Bouldering, and All Star Lanes. New additions will feature Capital Theatre and the immersive football experience TOCA Social, set to launch next year.
Designed and built by the design team responsible for venues such as The Bridge Theatre and The Young Vic, Westfield London’s Capital Theatre will have state-of-the-art backstage facilities, premium rehearsal rooms, dressing rooms and creative and technical spaces. Food and drink will also be served throughout the day at the foyer café, and an onsite box office and merchandise store will be open seven days a week.
Constantin Wiesmann, Director of Leasing UK at URW, said: “Signing Capital Theatre at Westfield London and launching with Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage marks an exciting evolution in our commitment to redefining retail destinations. This addition reflects the growing demand for immersive, diverse experiences in retail environments and underscores our vision of Westfield as a dynamic destination where culture and entertainment lead the way.”
Adam Kenwright, Founder & Managing Partner at Kindred Partners, continued: “Capital Theatre’s opening marks an exciting new chapter for London’s entertainment landscape.Purposefully designed to bring audiences closer to the action, the theatre arrives at a time when London’s theatre sector is thriving, with attendance set to reach new heights in 2024. Located in the heart of Westfield London, the venue brings a new depth to London’s entertainment scene, offering everything from shopping and dining to world-class theatre—all in one place.”
