     the theatre royal haymarket (also known as haymarket theatre or the little theatre) is a west end theatre in the haymarket in the city of westminster which dates back to 1720, making it the third-oldest london playhouse still in use. samuel foote acquired the lease in 1747, and in 1766 he gained a royal patent to play legitimate drama (meaning spoken drama, as opposed to opera, concerts or plays with music) in the summer months. the original building was a little further north in the same street. it has been at its current location since 1821, when it was redesigned by john nash. it is a grade i listed building, with a seating capacity of 888. the freehold of the theatre is owned by the crown estate.h m land registry registration ngl853225 the haymarket has been the site of a significant innovation in theatre. in 1873, it was the venue for the first scheduled matinÃ©e performance, establishing a custom soon followed in theatres everywhere. its managers have included benjamin nottingham webster, john baldwin buckstone, squire bancroft, cyril maude, herbert beerbohm tree, and john sleeper clarke, brother-in-law of john wilkes booth, who quit america after the assassination of abraham lincoln. famous actors who dÃ©buted at the theatre included robert william elliston (1774â1831) and john liston (1776â1846). ==history of the theatre== ===origins and early years=== thumb|right|haymarket theatre, ca. 1900 the first haymarket theatre or little theatre was built in 1720 by john potter, carpenter, on the site of the king's head inn in the haymarket and a shop in suffolk street kept by isaac bliburgh, a gunsmith, and known by the sign of the cannon and musket. it was the third public theatre opened in the west end. the theatre cost Â£100
1720_establishments_in_England Commercial_buildings_completed_in_1821 Georgian_architecture_in_London Grade_I_listed_buildings_in_London Grade_I_listed_theatres John_Nash_buildings Producing_house_theatres_in_London Regency_London Theatres_in_the_City_of_Westminster Theatres_where_Gilbert_or_Sullivan_works_premiered West_End_theatres