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Theatre Royal Windsor
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Theatre Royal Windsor

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See all things to do
Theatre Royal Windsor
4.5
1,690 reviews
#4 of 49 things to do in Windsor
Theaters
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Monday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
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About
This beautiful theatre with 200 years of history, nestles between Windsor Castle and the River Thames. The best place to enjoy Panto!
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
408 within 3 miles
Patch On The Plaza
153
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • European • Fusion
Long Walk Grill and Bar
321
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean
A la Russe
820
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • French • International • European
Cinnamon Cafe
537
0.1 mi$ • Cafe • British • Vegetarian Friendly
Crown & Cushion
238
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • British • Pub
The Real Greek - Windsor
1,410
117 ft$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • Greek • Vegetarian Friendly
Latino Taverna
757
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • International • Mediterranean • European
The Eaten Cafe
79
0.2 mi$ • Cafe • British • Vegetarian Friendly
Sebastian's Italian
1,580
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Neapolitan
The Royal Windsor Pub
449
470 ft$$ - $$$ • Bar • British • Pub
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Attractions
125 within 6 miles
Prince Christian Victor Monument
1
160 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
Windsor War Memorial
2
193 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
St. George's Chapel
2,756
386 ftHistoric Sites • Architectural Buildings
Windsor Royal Station
260
395 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Windsor Castle
13,738
0.2 miCastles
Diamond Jubilee Fountain
89
0.1 miFountains
King George V Memorial
39
232 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Royal Windsor Information Centre
2
391 ftVisitor Centers
Queen Victoria Statue
75
0.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
Eton Visitor Information Centre
3
0.1 miVisitor Centers
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,690 reviews
Excellent
1,157
Very good
374
Average
83
Poor
34
Terrible
42
Liz B
1 contribution
Brilliant cast shame about the staging
Aug 2021
Box office staff worked very hard to re-schedule my attendance when they were forced to reduce their capacity and I finally saw this performance on 28th Aug instead of 28 June! Sir Ian was inspiring and, with his delivery and inflection, gave a different slant on some of the dialogue. However there were times I found it difficult to always hear him and the rest of the cast due to mumbling or loud noise (as with Ophelia's mad playing of the guitar (only sitting in Royal Stalls). I know the play well so it did not detract too much from my understanding but Shakespeare wrote beautiful text - why not share it so everyone can enjoy and appreciate it?
I am very open to new intrepretations and modernisation but I did find the staging unsettling and I did not appreciate chunks of the play being cut out!
On the whole I thought the cast were very good but I did not like the staging/production.
Written September 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Maria S
Great Bookham, UK22 contributions
A wonderful experience!
Sep 2021 • Family
I took my 15 year old daughter to see Hamlet last night. What a truly wonderful experience! The Theatre itself is stunning. The staff are wonderful, friendly, helpful. We had seats in the very back row of the Circle, so “ up in the Gods”, but our view, despite this, was excellent. There was such an amazing buzz in the audience! It was clear that the joy of returning to live theatre after Covid lockdowns was simply bringing so much joy to all ages. The production itself was incredible, riveting and with first class performances. To see Ian McKellen take command of the stage, 50 years since his first time round as “ Hamlet” was a pure privilege. The speech both he and the director gave at the end on this, their penultimate evening… there were many of us with wet eyes I can tell you! We will be back to see the Cherry Orchard! Thankyou ALL for this wonderful treat for the soul, after a long time without Theatre 😊❤️
Written September 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
FrancescaCane
High Wycombe, UK73 contributions
The show must go on, and wow it certainly did!
Dec 2021 • Family
We've been to panto at Windsor for many many years now. And it's always the highlight of our Christmas. We love the old theatre, the fantastic show that Kevin Cruise, Steven Blakeley and Co put on - our all time favourite part being "the 12 days of Christmas".

Having been to tonight's show we just wanted to give a massive shout out of appreciation to the whole cast, those behind the scenes and the theatre staff too.

Being several key members of cast down we might have expected less of a show. But we need not have worried. Kevin of course we missed you, but Mike did you proud, as did the rest of the understudies. We appreciate how hard the small cast worked and all the team behind the scenes.

I would say what true professionals you all are, but it's clear from the emotion displayed by all its way more that just being professional. There is a clear desire to spread a little Christmas cheer and a true love to entertain......the show must go on.

So thanks for another great show, and for enabling our little family Christmas tradition of panto at Windsor go on I'm what's been a crazy difficult year for everyone.

See you in 2022....x
Written December 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Francesca W
Portsmouth, UK9 contributions
Absolutely terrible; dull & uninspiring with a bad storyline. Roll on the end!
Nov 2021 • Family
Am I missing something with people not being honest in their reviews about The Cherry Orchard?! I have just sat through a dull, uninspiring, hard to hear, lacking in everything performance of this! All I know is everyone around us shared the same opinion that it was far too long; lacked a decent story line; expected more from those professionals on stage & wished the end would come. Add on the slow ushers selling programs & a cold draught blowing continuously and the whole experience was most unpleasant!!
Quite frankly I am shell shocked! Only 3 people stood up to clap at the end: with theatrical masterpieces the entire audience stands up to applaud the cast. This, it was not, far too unbelievable in many ways. Be honest with reviews; this was a dull play with actors & actresses simply filling a gap to save sitting at home at a time when work opportunities may be limited.
Don’t waste your time. This will not leave you wanting more but wanting it to speed up then end.
Written November 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Victoria L
1 contribution
Left wanting more of Elsinore
Aug 2021
What a treat after the dearth of live theatre during Covid. We had seats on the side of the stage in the front row, could not have been closer to the action. Stunning acting from every cast member reminding us that no amount of blockbusting cgi can substitute for the passion and skill of actors who want to really include you in a story rather than "perform at you". Some of the directorial decisions were inspired, cutting out many slow paced sections of declamatory school exam worthiness in favour of pacier conversational style and even some humour. Considering the body count this is a surprisingly uplifting and engrossing piece of theatre. We have immediately booked the same stageside seats for the next production with the same cast, Chekhov's Cherry Orchard. Can't wait to be back!
Written August 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
richard h
Chelmsford, UK4 contributions
Appalling
Nov 2021
I am appalled by the way myself and a friend were treated by the Theatre Royal. We were booked to see The Cherry Orchard on 21 October but were notified by the theatre that this performance had been cancelled. There was no credible reason given for this cancellation and no other performances were cancelled in the same way. We rebooked for 10 November but were unfortunately unable to go due to illness at the last minute.

When we asked the box office either for a refund or a transferred booking to another date they said NO. Considering that the performance we were originally intending to attend was cancelled BY THE THEATRE I think this is appalling.
Written November 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Englishguy
London, UK138 contributions
Excellent play ruined by an audience member and absent ushers
Oct 2021
We went to see the Cherry Orchard last night. The play production and actors (in particular Ian McKellan and Martin Shaw) were excellent.

However, our evening was spoilt by one audience member noisly eating crisps in the royal circle for 20 minutes after the interval. Everybody around us was looking round and signalling for her to stop but she just carried on eating her crisps even more noisily. There were no ushers anywhere around to take action - they had all disappeared immediately after the interval - so it was difficult to know what to do other than make a disturbance so that the play was halted until the lady could be removed from the auditorium.
Written October 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Callum Beardmore
3 contributions
HAMLET 2021 - INSPIRING!!!
Aug 2021 • Family
Wonderful evening at Theatre Royal Windsor last night(06/07/21) for HAMLET with the spectacular cast and lead, Ian McKellen. Especially poignant to sit on stage and see the sweat, tears and laughter up close. Also a beautiful play to introduce my thirteen year old brother to theatre and Shakespeare.

For us three teenagers, two of whom want to be actors, what an inspirational performance, full of depth and contemplation. Sir Ian played the sprightly young part with an unexpected physical performance for an older man, yet with a wisdom and poignant tenderness that his old age lends to it. He was especially lively and athletic, running up and down stairs and of course, in the stage combat - which was a surprise and a joy. I’m glad my perceptions of age were challenged. It really shined new light on the play!! Living icon!! He inspired us all🎭🎭

I especially enjoyed the performances of Jonathan Hyde as Claudius, Alis Wyn Davies as Ophelia and Ashley D Gayle as Laertes. They were gorgeously acted parts last night. With passion and conviction.

Yes the play is different with an age-blind cast but I and my siblings found it to be equally relevant. Theatre is about discovering new things and learning new lessons so go in with an open mind and see a brand new take on a classic!

The theatre staff were also most attentive and we were in our seats in an organised and efficient manner very quickly, in a beautiful theatre with a brilliant atmosphere.

Definitely go and see for yourself and embrace the play as if seeing it afresh and knowing nothing, you will enjoy!

Thank you so much to the cast and creatives. And of course, to the theatre staff. X
Written August 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Brian B
2 contributions
"There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so" I thought this dreadful
Aug 2021
Hamlet! Worst Hamlet we've ever seen and we're into double figures. "The Play's the Thing" which seemed to be forgotten in this production. It didn't work. We have seen Ian McKellen live before and he was wonderful, I'm afraid a Hamlet older than his father and mother didn't work and so many lines were thrown away by most of the actors.
The Theatre Royal itself took no notice of many members of the audience not wearing masks in a full house, despite it being required by the theatre. It made the viewing uncomfortable. The staff serving coffee although very pleasant took over 5 minutes to make each order. I only ordered a flat white!! Perhaps training could occur not during a full house.
All in all a very disappointing visit.
Written August 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Debbie F
1 contribution
First night back at the Theatre - we loved it!
Oct 2020
We were so happy to be in the audience last night for the re-opening of the Theatre, we had missed our date nights at the theatre.

The organisation was fantastic, one-way system, well spaced seats, ordering of refreshments from our seats. The staff were friendly, efficient and so helpful. We felt safe, and enjoyed the show. Bill Kenwright delivered an opening speech just before the play began. It was moving and we felt honoured to be part of the evening. The show was fabulous, the storyline great and the acting wonderful as expected from two amazing actors.

We came home and booked to see the next four shows coming up, thank you Theatre Royal for re-opening, we missed you ......
Written October 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Theatre Royal Windsor - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Theatre Royal Windsor
Theatre Royal Windsor is open:
  • Mon - Sat 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
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