Theatre royal drury lane tours, london, united kingdom. He was in his dressing room at the theatre royal, drury lane, preparing to go on as mr salt in the musical. Well take the tour of the theatre royal drury lane and fine out. Theatre royal drury lane london 2020 all you need to know. Theatre royal drury lane, catherine street, london, wc2b 5jf and the nearest tube station is covent garden. However, this was not the first theatre on this site there have been four theatres at this location since 1663, the first being destroyed by a fire in january 1672. It first opened its doors in 1812 and is grade one listed. Two royal boxes, four comprehensive reconstructions and more than 350 years of theatrical history. All singers and dancers were faultless in their performances. Its original structure dating back to 1660 makes the drury lane the oldest theatrical building in the area. The theatre royal drury lane main entrance situated on. Video by of the stage liftselevators in action for the last time in january 2019. Theatre royal drury lane theatre london plays, musicals.
In keeping with its antiquity, many phantoms are known to lurk in the wings behind its spectacular cream portico. Book frozen tickets online via the official box office. Official page for the theatre royal, drury lane in londons west end. Londons oldest theatre, the theatre royal drury lane has one of the largest stages in the west end. Interesting facts, history and useful information regarding the theatre royal drury lane theatre, one of the most famous londons theatres. Londons haunted theatres the theatre royal drury lane. Sep 26, 2016 a behind the scenes tour of the historic royal drury lane theater in london 1998. Experience a world usually reserved for those who enter through the stage door. Theatre royal drury lane official box office lw theatres. The building faces catherine streetearlier named bridges or brydges street and backs onto drury lane. Catherine street covent garden, london wc2b 5jf england. These tours run regularly and you can check times on their website what was on.
This beautiful theatre is one of only three grade one listed theatres in london. I recommend it wholeheartedly if you have an interest in the history of theatre in england. Walter thornbury, drury lane theatre, in old and new london. The entrance facade is the earliest now surviving in london on a working theatre. It was renamed the theatre royal in drury lane and lasted for nearly 120 years until the next fire. If you would like to book tickets for performances at the theatre royal drury lane in person, you can visit the theatres box office, which is in covent garden. Case study dated 2008 of the restoration of the theatre royal drury lane historic stage machinery by dorothea restorations. Theatre royal, drury lane historic theatre photography. So as you see trafalgar square, or the shard, or the london eye, or buckingham palace, take the time to tour this theater. Inside the worlds most haunted theatre stage the guardian. Anubis weighing the soul of the scribe ani, from the egyptian book of the. The theatre royal, drury lane, is preeminent among all the theatres of london.
Theatre royal drury lane tour tickets london theatre direct. A behind the scenes tour of the historic royal drury lane theater in london 1998. 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. Above the old theatre, drury lane from antiquities of london and its environs by john thomas smith 1791. 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. Being the programme of a performance at drury lane theatre on may 2, 1916, the tercentenary of his death. The theatre royal, drury lane, commonly known as drury lane, is a west end theatre and. Theatre tour theatre royal drury lane tickets london. It stands in the eastern part of the city of westminster. 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. We recommend booking theatre royal drury lane tours ahead of time to secure your spot. 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. This theatre was unaffected by the great fire of london but burned down six years later on. Great personalities fought to get in, and were content with any corner.
Huntington library and art gallery, san marino, california. It was a night without parallel in theatre history. 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. 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 chocolate factory. The new theatre opened on 7th may 1663 as the theatre royal in bridges street. A unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of one of the most famous theatres in the world, the theatre royal drury lane tour transports visitors back in time to feel the mystical and historic atmosphere of londons oldest and most fascinating theatre. The oldest continualy working theatre in the world. 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 auditorium of the theatre royal, drury lane in 1775 from the book. For more than 100 years the theatre has become famous for staging some of the most ambitious, breathtaking spectacles seen on a west end stage. You can both buy and sell theatre royal drury lane. You can book on their website or give the box office a call cost. Official website for londons theatre royal drury lane.
Drury lane tour tickets london from the box office. During our 4 night stay in london we had a night out at theatre royal drury lane to see 42nd street. Theatre royal drury lane has a colourful story to tell. Theatre royal drury lane is a working building so the content of the tours may vary. Theatre facts fun theatre trivia, facts, west end theatre directory and amazing theatre ticket deals. Soon to be home to disneys frozen, find out more about the history of londons oldest theatre, the theatre royal drury lane. Drury lane theatre theatre, london, united kingdom. Jul 04, 2015 well take the tour of the theatre royal drury lane and fine out.
Get facility, travel information and book tickets for theatre royal drury lane at. Book your tickets online for theatre royal drury lane, london. 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. Through the stage door a tour of the theatre royal drury lane. 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 of the citys most popular and bestloved new musicals and plays.
Christopher wren designed a new theatre which was built on the same plot and opened in 1674. Drury lane theatre, in full theatre royal drury lane, oldest london theatre still in use. Oct 29, 2015 inside the worlds most haunted theatre. Designed specifically for travelers with limited time in london, this tour allows you to check off a range of southern englands historical attractions in just one day by eliminating the hassle of traveling between each one independently. The theatre royal drury lane has suffered three fires in its lifetime the first one in 1672 destroyed the entire building. 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 tickets london stubhub uk. A unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of the most famous theatre in the world, the theatre royal drury lane. Above the theatre royal, drury lane during the run of 42nd street in april 2017. The current fourth theatre is over 200 years old and was designed by benjamin dean wyatt. Theatre royal drury lane, catherine street, london, wc2b 5jf when. 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 building faces catherine street and backs onto drury lane. More than 350 years of unbelievable theatrical history. Since its construction in 1663, this theatre has triumphed over tragedy, fire. This theatre was unaffected by the great fire of london but burned down six years later on 25th january 1672. 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. Theatre royal drury lane is currently closed for restoration and will reopen in autumn 2020 as home to disneys frozen. With origins dating back to 1663, theatre royal, drury lane is the oldest theatre site still in use at london s west end. The theatre royal drury lane is one of londons most established theatres and holds worldclass performances with some of the most distinguished names in theatre. 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.
Book direct from the box office the best choice of seats and no delivery fees. Large, pale and impressive from the outside, with beautiful columns inspired by ancient greece, the interior of the theatre royal, drury lane is intricately and ornately decorated, with plush scarlet velvet seating for a superb traditionalstyle theatre experience. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. Theatre royal drury lane london 2020 all you need to. Find out all about the iconic theatre royal drury lane, londons oldest.
According to the author peter thomson, for its first two centuries, drury lane could reasona. Its the theatre where shakespeare spelt ruin and byron bankruptcy, but managers kept on producing them because it just might work this time. 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. Drury lane theatre, in full theatre royal drury lane, oldest london. Aug 22, 2018 soon to be home to disneys frozen, find out more about the history of londons oldest theatre, the theatre royal drury lane. Book now at 85 restaurants near the drury lane theatre royal on opentable. The vast theatre could not accommodate all who wished to be present.
If youve ever been to see a production at theatre royal drury lane, youll know theres a distinctive flair for the spectacular that makes the place so special. With origins dating back to 1663, theatre royal, drury lane is the oldest theatre site still in use at londons west end. Theatre royal drury lane london all you need to know. History londons oldest theatre, the theatre royal drury lane has one of the largest stages in the west end. Do you need to book in advance to visit theatre royal drury lane. Drury lane shares with haymarket theatre royal the distinction of being entirely previctorian in external appearance the lyceum has a previctorian portico. Our guide is packed with information about the theatre royal drury lane and book your west end theatre tickets. A complete guide to the theatre royal drury lane encoretickets. The theatre royal drury lane is a london west end theatre in covent garden, in the city of westminster. London, this tour allows you to check off a range of southern englands historical attractions in just one day. It was in this very venue that the public heard for the first time both the national anthem and rule britannia. The theatre royal drury lane that we see today was built in 1812, opening on 10 th october with a production of hamlet. London s haunted theatres the theatre royal drury lane.
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. 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. The theatre royal drury lane has been a site for entertainment since 1663 and is the worlds oldest theatre site in continuous use. Discover the history of one of londons oldest theatres on the theatre royal drury lane backstage tour. Musical theatre history was made in september 1989 when the new musical miss saigon opened at the drury lane theatre.
Theatre design in london remained ambivalent about the merits of the picturebox. As the name suggests, this extraordinary venue is a truly regal member of the lw theatres family. The theatre is a short walk from the famous covent garden market and piazza, the royal opera house and a variety of shops. One of the parties was the kings company, which was run by thomas killigrew, who built a new theatre on drury lane. Theatre royal drury lane london london theatre direct. Our seats c11,12 in the royal circle gave us an uninterrupted view of the glittering action. Theatre royal drury lane west end theatre guide london. Its become renowned for its longrunning musicals since the end of the second world war, with oklahoma, my fair lady and miss saigon just some of its big hitters.
The theatre is a short walk from the famous covent. See all 5 theatre royal drury lane tours on tripadvisor. Drury lane backstage tour london attractions contact. The building faces catherine street earlier named bridges or brydges street and backs onto drury lane. 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 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 ii. Theatre royal drury lane london frozen the musical. I have not met with any play which is said on its titlepage to have been acted in the theatre royal drury lane till after the division of the company in 1695. 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 drury lane theatre, london, watercolour by edward dayes, 1795. The theatre royal, drury lane is a remarkable place. Theatre royal drury lane tours performance art theatre. London theatre historical timeline london theatres. The hit london revival of 42nd street at the theatre royal drury lane has extended its booking period to 10 february 2018. Since its construction in 1663, the theatre royal drury lane has triumphed over tragedy, fire, bankruptcy and even murder take a tantalising tour behind the scenes of this fascinating venue and relive the incredible historical tales that make londons oldest theatre a truly mystical and iconic site. Drury lane theatre theatre, london, united kingdom britannica.
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