London: Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Country: England, United Kingdom
City: London
Borough: City of Westminster
Location: Catherine Street

Built 1811-1812 by Benjamin Dean Wyatt, as fourth theatre on the site (replacing the 3rd theatre of 1794). Opened 10 Oct 1812 with Shakespeare's "Hamlet". 1814 and 1818 various alterations. 1820 addition of a portico by James Spiller (also attributed to Sir John Soane). 1822 auditorium alteration by Samuel Beazley. 1831 addition of a colonnad on Russel St front. 1837 interior re-decoration by Crace. 1841-1851 minor alterations. 1870 interior alteration by Marsh Nelson and Harvey. 1901 auditorium rebuilding by Philhp Pilditch. 1922 major auditorium rebuilding by Emblin Walker, Jones, and Cromie. Sionce 1926, mainly used for musical performances. 2237 seats.

Notable world premieres:

  • George G. Lord Byron: Marino Faliero, Dodge of Venice (1821)
  • Charles V. Stanford: The Canterbury Pilgrims (28 Apr 1884)
  • Claude-Michel Schönberg/Alain Boublil: Miss Saigon (20 Sep 1989)

Links: www.theatreroyaldrurylane.co.uk, Theatres Trust, EUTA, Wikipedia

London: Theatre Royal Drury Lane Reverse Text: "Theatre Royal Drury Lane. George Shepherd. Etching coloured by hand dated 1812. 12 cm x 20 cm. H R Beard Collection"
Publisher: Victoria and Albert Museum - Theatre Museum, London; TM 135
Type: late 20th-century reproduction of an 1812 etching
Size: Modern
Not sent.

London: Theatre Royal Drury Lane Reverse Text: "Theatre Royal, Drury Lane - Founded in 1663. The present structure dates from 1812."
Publisher: Nostalgia Ink; "The West End in the 1890s" Series
Type: late 20th-century reproduction of an 1890s image
Size: Modern
Not sent.

London: Theatre Royal Drury Lane Front Text: "Drury Lane Theatre, London"
Publisher: E. F. A. London Theatre Series; No. 1004
Type: Divided Back
Size: Classic
Not sent.

London: Theatre Royal Drury Lane Handwritten Front Text: "A part of Royal Theatre Drury Lane", "Sunday August 13 1906"
Type: Real Photo
Size: 10.5 x 8.2 cm
Sent: from London to Hull, 13 Aug 1906

London: Theatre Royal Drury Lane Front Text: sign: "Drury Lane", signed: Shephard
Publisher: The Knight Series; No. 594
Type: Divided Back
Size: Classic
Not sent.

London: Theatre Royal Drury Lane Reverse Text: "The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Founded 1663. Present building, 1812. Architect: Benjamin Wyatt. Interior completely reconstructed, 1922, by F. Emblin-Walker an F. Edward Jones"
Publisher: Arts Council of Great Britain; 1974
Size: Modern
Not sent.

London: Theatre Royal Drury Lane Folded Greeting Card
Front Text: "Theatre Royal Drury Lane", sign: "My Fair Lady"
Reverse Text: "The Theatre Royal Drury Lane"
Publisher: Marion Steggles Collection
Type: Real Photo
Size: Modern
Not sent.

London: Theatre Royal Drury Lane Front Text: inscription: "Theatre Royal Drury Lane", poster: advertising the musical "Frozen"
Publisher: PlayhouseArthouse / Etsy
Type: Blank Back
Size: Modern
Not sent.

London: Theatre Royal Drury Lane Front Text: "Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London"
Publisher: Ice Cream at the Interval / Etsy; 2021
Size: Modern
Not sent.

For more images of this theatre, see "The Theatres of London" and London: Various Theatres.

Permanent link: https://www.andreas-praefcke.de/carthalia/id/1094

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