According to the author peter thomson, for its first two centuries, drury lane could reasona. 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 theatre, hosting some. The theatre was built by thomas killigrew, who we might think of as a theatrical impresario, at the behest of the. Theatre royal drury lane london 2020 all you need to know. Theatre design in london remained ambivalent about the merits of the picturebox. The theatre royal, drury lane, commonly known as drury lane, is a west end theatre and.
Official website for londons theatre royal drury lane. It opened on the 26th of march 1674 as the theatre royal in drury lane. Sep 26, 2016 a behind the scenes tour of the historic royal drury lane theater in london 1998. Book your tickets online for theatre royal drury lane, london. Drury lane theatre, in full theatre royal drury lane, oldest london theatre still in. The theatre royal drury lane, hotels near the theatre. As the name suggests, this extraordinary venue is a truly regal member of the lw theatres family. Keep going west on exeter street then turn right up burleigh street and head back east on tavistock street to catherine street again and switching northward pass the front entrance to the theatre royal drury lane. Theatre royal drury lane london nearby hotels, shops and. Through the stage door a tour of the theatre royal drury lane. It seems like the royal section possibly offers a better view 1 seats seem have higher angle slant views better in front of you less blocking by person in front of you and 2 from. The first new show of the 2000s was the new musical comedy the witches of eastwick. Drury lane theatre theatre, london, united kingdom.
Its the first of many heartstopping moments throughout this new production that returns to the theatre. Exterior and interior photos of the theatre royal, drury. The right of the lane to present dramatic entertainments dates from the royal patent still in the possession of the theatre granted by charles ii to killigrew in 1662. Four theatres have been built on this site, the first of these by the dramatist thomas killigrew under charter granted by charles ii in 1663. 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 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. Musical theatre history was made in september 1989 when the new musical miss saigon opened at the drury lane theatre. The theatre royal drury lane is a london west end theatre in covent garden, in the city of westminster.
See all 8 theatre royal drury lane tours on tripadvisor. You can buy tickets for the theatre royal drury lane in person, from the theatres box office itself, online or by phone. The building standing today is the most recent of four theatres at the same location dating back to 1663, making it the oldest london theatre. It is surrounded by numerous bars, varieties and the exciting bustling covent garden piazza. The theatre royal drury lane has been a site for entertainment since 1663 and is the worlds oldest theatre site in continuous use. L ast year, actor clive carter had a strange nocturnal experience. The current fourth theatre is over 200 years old and was designed by benjamin dean wyatt.
The magnificent theatre royal drury lane is located at catherine street, london, wc2b 5jf. 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 is situated in the heart of theatreland, just behind covent garden market. The building faces catherine street and backs onto drury lane. We recommend booking theatre royal drury lane tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Theatre royal, drury lane covent london, greater london. The building faces catherine streetearlier named bridges or brydges street and backs onto drury lane. Review of 42nd street at the theatre royal drury lane. Oct 29, 2015 l ast year, actor clive carter had a strange nocturnal experience. The auditorium has four levels stalls, royal circle, grand circle and balcony. We promote london and attract businesses, events, congresses, students and visitors to the capital. He was in his dressing room at the theatre royal, drury lane, preparing to go on as mr salt in the musical charlie and the. Theatre royal, drury lane this page summarises records created by this business the summary includes a brief description of the collections usually including the covering dates of the collection, the name of the archive where they are held, and reference information to help you find the collection.
Theatre royal drury lane london all you need to know. The theatre royal, drury lane 1663 lost city of london. The building faces catherine street earlier named bridges or brydges street and backs onto 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.
Recorded in september of 74, theatre royal drury lane sees wyatt perform his classic rock bottom album in its entirety, material from his days with soft machine and matching mole, plus an extraordinary version of i m a believer. The theatre royal, drury lane read about the most famous theatre in the world. Its the first of many heartstopping moments throughout this new production that returns to the theatre royal drury lane some 33 years after david merricks original ran at the self same venue and whilst it manages to feel strikingly fresh theres a comfort in its exactness and attention to detail that feels like greeting a longlost. The first theatre was built by the dramatist thomas killigrew for his company of actors as the theatre royal under a charter from charles ii. Buying tickets online there are a large number of online retailers that sell tickets for events and performances at theatre royal drury lane, however it is important that you make sure you are buying tickets from a star. Theatre royal drury lane, catherine street, london, wc2b 5jf and the nearest tube station is covent garden. The second theatre, built on the site of the first, is thought to have been designed by the architect sir christopher wren and was constructed at a cost of. All content is posted anonymously by employees working at theatre royal, drury lane. Londons oldest theatre, the theatre royal drury lane has one of the largest stages in the west end. Cancellation is free of charge hotel descriptions with photos real ratings business tariff. Want to experience this famed attraction in the most memorable way. 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. Theatre facts fun theatre trivia, facts, west end theatre directory and amazing theatre ticket deals. 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.
Theatre royal drury lane london 2020 all you need to. Theater royal drury lane in london hotels in the vicinity. Above the old theatre, drury lane from antiquities of london and its environs by john thomas smith 1791. Drury lane theatre, in full theatre royal drury lane, oldest london theatre still in use. Dont miss the chance to try a few of these things to do. Thankfully fire safety precautions have improved drastically since the olden days and the grade i listed building now stands as a monument. The next show here at the theatre royal drury lane was the irish dance show dancing on dangerous ground which played for two months over christmas 1999. 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 or the drury lane theatre, as it is more commonly known is situated in covent garden, london. Photos of the theatre royal drury lane and a great range hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts near the theatre royal drury lane, london. Above the theatre royal, drury lane during the run of 42nd street in april 2017. The theatre is a short walk from the famous covent garden market and piazza, the royal opera house and a variety of shops.
Following a fire in 1672, the theatre was rebuilt and reopened in 1674, employing joseph grimaldi as the resident clown. A behind the scenes tour of the historic royal drury lane theater in london 1998. It was a night without parallel in theatre history. Anubis weighing the soul of the scribe ani, from the egyptian book of the dead. Official page for the theatre royal, drury lane in londons west end. The auditorium of the theatre royal, drury lane in 1775 from the book. Drury lane shares with haymarket theatre royal the distinction of being entirely previctorian in external appearance the lyceum has a previctorian portico.
Exterior and interior photos of the theatre royal, drury lane. The ideal location of theatre makes it one of the most popular tourist spots, as it is brilliantly positioned in the heart of beautiful london city. Huntington library and art gallery, san marino, california. Exterior and interior photos of the theatre royal, drury lane during various productions theatre royal drury lane main page. Theatre royal drury lane tours, london, united kingdom. My husband and i are planning on taking the kids to see charlie and the chocolate factory musical this summer in london. Theatre royal drury lane tours performance art theatre. Not my favourite book but a great read for those interested in victorian london, the theatre and adventure. Wyatt, robert theatre royal drury lane 8th september 1974. It first opened its doors in 1812 and is grade one listed. In january 2019, lw theatres embarked on its most ambitious and exciting project to date a. 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. This is the theatre royal, drury lane company profile. On this day in 1663, the theatre royal, drury lane first opened its doors, to put on a performance of john fletcher and francis beaumonts jacobean tragicomedy the humorous lieutenant, which was originally written in 1625, although not finally published until 1647.
Like most theatres in london, tickets for the middle of the stalls and front section of the grand circle tend to be the best, therefore the most pricey. View all hotels near theatre royal drury lane on tripadvisor. Downloads are quick and easy and available in epub and pdf formats. 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. Browse expedias selection of 16922 hotels and places to stay closest to theatre royal drury lane. Im debating between premium royal or premium stalls. An interactive timeline of theatre royal drury lane shows past and present and major events at the venue. Motown musical theatre royal drury lane, london traveller. Theatre royal drury lane official box office lw theatres.
The grand building is accessible from a number of tube stations with holborn station being the most accessible. Drury lane theatre, oldest london theatre still in use. Search hotels near theatre royal drury lane, london expedia. Theatre royal drury lane theatre london plays, musicals.
Meet the feistiest heroine in childrens historical fiction. 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. The theatre royal drury lane main entrance situated on. Covent garden tube is the closest to the venue, but this gets very crowded at peak times. Featuring a cast of 50 fabulous singers and dancers, this revival of a broadway classic continues to wow audiences with its timeless songs and titillating tap routines. Two royal boxes, four comprehensive reconstructions and more than 350 years of theatrical history. Restaurants near theatre royal drury lane, london on tripadvisor. Inside the worlds most haunted theatre stage the guardian. Wyatt, robert theatre royal drury lane 8th september.
It stands in the eastern part of the city of westminster. 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 inspired by puccinis. Bonnie langford stars in the multiaward winning musical 42nd street, playing in the west ends theatre royal drury lane. Walter thornbury, drury lane theatre, in old and new london.
Theres a moment of indescribable exhilaration at the very start of this careful yet constantly surprising revival of 42nd street which begins, as every production of the musical does, with the curtain rising a mere two foot to display the tapping feet of a stunning 40strong ensemble. Its nell gwynne in the conquest of granada and julie andrews in my fair lady. Map of theatre royal drury lane with london tube stations. Find cheap deals and discount rates that best fit your budget. Drury lane theatre the drury lane theatre, london, watercolour by edward dayes, 1795. A complete guide to the theatre royal drury lane encoretickets. Im a bit confused by the various categories such as stalls and royal circle. Theatre royal drury lane theatre facts fun facts, ticket. 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. Theatre royal drury lane london history london theatres. Discover all the books written by george lillo, including the london merchant. Based on the novel by john updike and the warner brothers motion picture, this stage music version was.
Find out all about the iconic theatre royal drury lane, londons oldest. The theatre is one of the biggest theatres in london with a seating capacity of 2,200. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. The theatre royal drury lane main entrance situated on catherine street, westminster, london introduction index first theatre second theatre third theatre present theatre 2019 refurbishment. After more than 30 years, this recording of a legendary robert wyatt performance will finally see the light of day. Theatre royal drury lane london frozen the musical. 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. The 10 best restaurants near theatre royal drury lane, london. May 07, 2018 the theatre royal, drury lane 1663 leave a reply on this day in 1663, the theatre royal, drury lane first opened its doors, to put on a performance of john fletcher and francis beaumonts jacobean tragicomedy the humorous lieutenant, which was originally written in 1625, although not finally published until 1647. The building is the most recent in a line of four theatres which were built at the same. No other site in britain has a longer history of continuous theatre use. Theatre royal drury lane is currently closed for restoration and will reopen in autumn 2020 as home to disneys frozen.
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