Christopher wren designed a new theatre which was built on the same plot and opened in 1674. The theatre royal drury lane main entrance situated on. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. Theatre design in london remained ambivalent about the merits of the picturebox. In 1826, londons theatre elites were shocked when a yankee impresario stephen price of new york had the temerity to take control of the theatre royal, drury lane, the venerated home of the national drama since the restoration of charles ii. Theatre royal drury lane is currently closed for restoration and will reopen in autumn 2020 as home to disneys frozen. We are now accepting subscriptions to our 20192020 theatrical season. It derives its rights as a playhouse from letters patent granted by king charles ii and it stands upon a site part of which has been in continuous use for theatrical purposes for more than three centuriesfor far longer than any other place in. It is surrounded by numerous bars, varieties and the exciting bustling covent garden piazza. Adapted for theatrical representation, as perfomed at the theatreroyal, drurylane. It was recently revived in london at the prince edward theatre in 2014. The theatre royal, bristol completed 1766 was modeled on the 1674 theatre and designed by david garricks master carpenter at drury lane, james saunders, so affords a good indication of what the 1674 drury lane interior looked like. An introduction to 18thcentury british theatre the.
Drury lane guide drury lane, covent garden, london wc2b. Being the programme of a performance at drury lane theatre on may 2, 1916, the tercentenary of his death. Anubis weighing the soul of the scribe ani, from the egyptian book of the dead. Thankfully fire safety precautions have improved drastically since the olden days and the grade i listed building now stands as a monument. Drury lane theatre official site meet the creative team. The vast theatre could not accommodate all who wished to be present. A complete guide to the theatre royal drury lane encoretickets. Drury lane theatre, oldest london theatre still in use. The first theatre was built by the dramatist thomas killigrew for his company of actors as the theatre royal under a charter from charles. The building faces catherine street and backs onto drury lane. Cat in london and millions of other books are available. According to the author peter thomson, for its first two centuries, drury lane could reasona. London, published for the greater london council by the athlone p.
It stands in the eastern part of the city of westminster. Our guide is packed with information about the theatre royal drury lane and book your west end theatre tickets. This second building, opened in 1674 and possibly designed by the great architect christopher wren, remained in use all the way through the 18th century, first under killigrew and then under his successor colley cibber. The term drury lane is often used to refer to the theatre royal, drury lane, which has in different incarnations been located in the street since the 17th century, even though today the main entrance is on catherine street. The theatre royal, drury lane, was regarded as the national theatre long before there was such an institution, although it has never received any government subsidy. The current fourth theatre is over 200 years old and was designed by benjamin dean wyatt. As now seen, the main theatrical shell, the staircase, rotunda, saloon etc of 181112, are by b d wyatt and comprise the only substantial georgian theatre fabric in london. The theatre is a short walk from the famous covent garden market and piazza, the royal opera house and a variety of shops. Its nell gwynne in the conquest of granada and julie andrews in my fair lady. Londons oldest theatre, the theatre royal drury lane has one of the largest stages in the west end. The building faces catherine streetearlier named bridges or brydges street and backs onto drury lane. These tours run regularly and you can check times on their website.
The entrance facade is the earliest now surviving in london on a working theatre. Book london theatre tickets official website lw theatres. Chronicles of the awakening church history lives series. You can book on their website or give the box office a call. The original playhouse in covent gardenthe players imprisoned in the gate. Thankfully fire safety precautions have improved drastically since the olden days and the grade i listed building now stands as a monument to the longevity of london. It first opened its doors in 1812 and is grade one listed. Theatre royal drury lane london 2020 all you need to know. The cambridge history of british theatre edited by joseph donohue. Drury lane theatre was built by the theatre manager thomas killigrew in 1663, whereupon it promptly burned down and had to be rebuilt. In 1826, london s theatre elites were shocked when a yankee impresario stephen price of new york had the temerity to take control of the theatre royal, drury lane, the venerated home of the national drama since the restoration of charles ii. Garrick at drury lane, 17471776 chapter 7 the cambridge. Following a fire in 1672, the theatre was rebuilt and reopened in 1674, employing joseph.
Jul 04, 2015 well take the tour of the theatre royal drury lane and fine out. We promote london and attract businesses, events, congresses, students and visitors to the capital. The theatre royal, drury lane, and the royal opera house. The building is the most recent in a line of four theatres which were built at the same location, the earliest of which dated back to 1663, making it the oldest theatre site in london still in use. The theatre royal drury lane or the drury lane theatre, as it is more commonly known is situated in covent garden, london. Four buildings have stood on the site, the first opening in 1663 and housing comic melodramas and restoration comedy that featured the likes of nell gwynn and charles hart. Become a subscriber and save up to 50% off single ticket prices thats more than two free shows.
Drury lane theatre, in full theatre royal drury lane, oldest london theatre still in. Musical theatre history was made in september 1989 when the new musical miss saigon opened at the drury lane theatre. Great personalities fought to get in, and were content with any corner. It derives its rights as a playhouse from letters patent granted by king charles ii and it stands upon a site part of which has been in continuous use for theatrical purposes for more than three centuriesfor far longer than any other place in london, or. Theatre royal, drury lane, and the royal opera house, covent garden. The theatre royal on catherine street has been home to four theatres since 1663, surviving an exciting past including numerous transformations, burnings down and disasters.
Experience a world usually reserved for those who enter through the stage door. The diamond of drury lane is a childrens historical novel by julia golding. Soon to be home to disneys frozen, find out more about the history of londons oldest theatre, the theatre royal drury lane. Official website for londons theatre royal drury lane. The theatre royal, drury lane, commonly known as drury lane, is a west end theatre and grade i listed building in covent garden, london, england. Official trailer 42nd street theatre royal drury lane. The building is the most recent in a line of four theatres which were built at the same location, the.
Official page for the theatre royal, drury lane in londons west end. Theatre royal, drury lane historic theatre photography. Oct 29, 2015 ive come to londons drury lane because it has a reputation as the worlds most haunted theatre. In the month of august, 1812, there appeared in the daily newspapers an advertisement to the effect that the committee for rebuilding drury lane theatre were anxious to promote a free and fair competition for an address to be spoken upon the reopening of the theatre on the 10th of october ensuing, and that they had therefore announced to the public that they would be glad to receive such compositions, addressed to their secretary. Theatre royal drury lane london 2020 all you need to. A unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of the most famous theatre in the world, the theatre royal drury lane. Macqueen pope, writing in his book the theatre royal, drury lane in 1945, said of garricks farewell performance as don felix in the wonder in 1776. It was upon the stage of one of the earlier incarnations that the actress and royal mistress nell gwyn first caught the roving eye of king charles ii. She lives in the theater royal on drury lane, a place filled with dramatic. Drury lane theatre theatre, london, united kingdom britannica.
Theatre royal drury lane one of covent gardens largest and most historic theatres, the current theatre royal opened in 1812the latest in a long line of theatres to have graced the same site. Adelphi theatre the london palladium her majestys theatre theatre royal drury lane gillian lynne theatre cambridge theatre the other palace. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages. The theatre royal, drury lane, commonly known as drury lane, is a west end theatre and. Roberta duchak music director returns to drury lane after music directing roald dahls matilda and mamma mia. The building standing today is the most recent of four theatres at the same location dating back to 1663, making it the oldest london. It also casts the reader back to the late eighteenth century, from the mean streets of london, to i will admit it, the cover is what first caught my eye and made me read on, but in this case, judging a book by its cover proved to be a good thing, as this is a little gem of a novel. Meet the feistiest heroine in childrens historical fiction.
The theatre royal drury lane has suffered three fires in its lifetime the first one in 1672 destroyed the entire building. Theatre royal drury lane official box office lw theatres. See all 8 theatre royal drury lane tours on tripadvisor. This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923.
Drury lane theatre theatre, london, united kingdom. Buying group tickets if you plan to book more than 8 tickets, then discounted group rates are often available. Theatre royal drury lane, catherine street, london, wc2b 5jf. The theatre royal drury lane was been home to the musical charlie and the chocolate factory from june 20, and in march 2017, the musical 42nd street opened at the theatre. In london, he gained the notice of henry giffard, the manager of goodmans fields theatre, which competed with drury lane and covent garden the only two theatres in london since the licensing act of 1737 which could perform plays for paying customers by the ruse of charging patrons for concerts during which free rehearsals of. Mix official trailer 42nd street theatre royal drury lane youtube. In january 2019, lw theatres embarked on its most ambitious and exciting project to date a. London s haunted theatres the theatre royal drury lane.
Its the theatre where shakespeare spelt ruin and byron bankruptcy, but managers kept on producing them because it just might work this time. We recommend booking theatre royal drury lane tours ahead of time to secure your spot. In the month of august, 1812, there appeared in the daily newspapers an advertisement to the effect that the committee for rebuilding drury lane theatre were anxious to promote a free and fair competition for an address to be spoken upon the reopening of the theatre on the 10th of october ensuing. Theatre royal drury lane tour tickets london theatre direct. It is a beautiful auditorium probably the most attractive of the west ends theatres. Theatre royal, drury lane w macqueenpope history of the theatre from opening 1663 to present day. The building is the most recent in a line of four theatres which were built at the same.
London theatre historical timeline london theatres. The theatre royal drury lane is a london west end theatre in covent garden, in the city of westminster. The diamond of drury lane 2008 the diamond of drury lane is a mystery story set in london in the1790s. Aug 22, 2018 a complete guide to the theatre royal drury lane. Not my favourite book but a great read for those interested in victorian london, the theatre and adventure. Jan 05, 2019 a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of the most famous theatre in the world, the theatre royal drury lane. This musical written by the writing partnership claudemichel schonberg and alain boublil who had previously written les mis along with english lyricist richard maltby jr was. The 18th century was a wealth of knowledge, exploration and rapidly growing technology and expanding recordkeeping made. The main character, cat royal, is an orphan who was abandoned on the doorstep of the drury lane theater, and raised by the theater manager, mr. In 1790 london young cat royal is the ward of theatre royal drury lane.
The theatre royal, drury lane read about the most famous theatre in the world. Theatre royal, drury lane wikipedia republished wiki 2. Russell is a graduate of the london school of economics, and holds an m. Walter thornbury, drury lane theatre, in old and new london. The theatre is one of the biggest theatres in london with a seating capacity of 2,200. Find out all about the iconic theatre royal drury lane, londons oldest. Buy london theatre tickets online for the best west end shows including the phantom of the opera, matilda, joseph, hello, dolly. The auditorium has four levels stalls, royal circle, grand circle and balcony. The store was opened in 1869 and the company is now one of the uks largest retailers. Theatre royal drury lane london frozen the musical.
Home books the cambridge history of british theatre. The theatre royal, drury lane, is preeminent among all the theatres of london. The theatre royal, drury lane is a remarkable place. The theatre royal drury lane is the oldest working theatre in london, and although the present building dates from 1812, the first theatre on the site was founded in 1663. Drury lane enjoys all the romantic accessories of a london theater.
The building standing today is the most recent of four theatres at the same location dating back to 1663, making. As the name suggests, this extraordinary venue is a truly regal member of the lw theatres family. Well take the tour of the theatre royal drury lane and fine out. The theatre royal drury lane has been a site for entertainment since 1663 and is the worlds oldest theatre site in continuous use. Since its construction in 1663, this theatre has triumphed over tragedy, fire, bankruptcy and even murder. Drury lane theatre official site 1819 theatrical season. Drury lane shares with haymarket theatre royal the distinction of being entirely previctorian in external appearance the lyceum has a previctorian portico. The theatre royal drury lane has a capacity of 1920 seats, including 725 seats in the stalls, 427 seats in the royal circle, 397 seats in the grand circle and 371 seats in the balcony. It was renamed the theatre royal in drury lane and lasted for nearly 120 years until the next fire. Ive come to londons drury lane because it has a reputation as the worlds most haunted theatre. Two royal boxes, four comprehensive reconstructions and more than 350 years of theatrical history. Russell is a graduate of the london school of economics, and. Theatre royal drury lane theatre london plays, musicals. Londons haunted theatres the theatre royal drury lane.
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