London Theatre Drops Duke of York Name After More Than 130 Years

A historic theater in London’s West End is getting a new name after more than a century as the Duke of York’s Theatre.

Owners ATG Entertainment said renaming the playhouse as the Tom Stoppard Theatre was to offer a “lasting tribute” to playwright Sir Tom Stoppard.

ATG Entertainment did not mention if the decision had any connection to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who was stripped of his Duke of York title amid the fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

According to the BBC, the theatre has had the same name for over a century. After it was built in 1892, it was known as the Trafalgar Square theatre and became the Duke of York’s in 1895.

Stoppard, who died in November 2025, was one of Britain’s most celebrated playwrights.

According to WestEndTheatre.com, Melanie Smith CBE, Global CEO of ATG Entertainment said, “We are proud to be the custodians of such a historic theatre, and believe today’s announcement recognizes the significant impact Sir Tom Stoppard has made to British Theatre.”

Stage stars including Sir Ian McKellen, Dame Helen Mirren, Glenda Jackson and Michael Gambon have all performed at the theater.

A letter to the U.K.’s Stage newspaper last autumn, from a former actor at the Duke of York’s, had said it was time to rename the theatre.

Other venues and events have also dropped references to the Duke of York in recent months. A horse race previously known as The Duke of York Stakes, which is run each year at York, is now called the Minster Stakes. The Duke of York pub at York station in England has become the Line and Whistle.

A picture of Andrew, which once hung over the Duke of York pub in London, was taken down last year.