Theatre Royal, Drury Lane

The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane is a theatre in the West End area of London, officially situated on Catherine Street, but backing onto Drury Lane just to the east of Covent Garden.

Related Topics:
Theatre - West End - London - Catherine Street - Drury Lane - Covent Garden

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A cockpit in that location was converted into a theatre during the reign of James I. After the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, a splendid new theatre was built to designs by Christopher Wren. Having been razed by fire on January 25 1672, it was succeeded by a larger and still more elaborate building also designed by Wren, which housed two thousand spectators with the opening attended by Charles II on March 26 1674.

Related Topics:
Cockpit - Theatre - James I - Restoration - 1660 - Christopher Wren - January 25 - 1672 - Charles II - March 26 - 1674

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The great English actor David Garrick managed the theatre during the mid-eighteenth century, during which time he produced many plays, including most of Shakespeare's work.

Related Topics:
David Garrick - Shakespeare

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

By the end of the 18th century, the building was in need of updating, and was demolished in 1791. A third theatre was designed by Henry Holland and opened on March 12 1794, lasting for only 15 years before burning down on February 24 1809.

Related Topics:
1791 - Henry Holland - March 12 - 1794 - February 24 - 1809

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The present Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, designed by Benjamin Wyatt, opened on October 10 1812 with a production of Hamlet. The interior has been substantially redesigned and overhauled many times since then: a contemporary sketch of it when it was new is shown on the right, seen from the point of view of the beau monde in the lower gallery. It is one of the West End's largest, and has been the setting for appearances by Edmund Kean and Sarah Siddons, among others.

Related Topics:
Benjamin Wyatt - October 10 - 1812 - Hamlet - Beau monde - West End - Edmund Kean - Sarah Siddons

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

With a capacity of 2,205, it has been home to many large productions over the years. It is currently showing a revival of Mel Brooks' musical The Producers.

Related Topics:
Mel Brooks - The Producers

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~