Theatre Royal Drury Lane London history Theatre Royal Drury Lane History and Timeline The first theatre on the site, Theatre Royal, Brydges Street opened 1663-01-01 The Theatre Royal Drury Lane is the oldest theatre in England that is still in use. The first venue on the site was known as the Theatre Royal, Brydges Street. The auditorium could seat over 2,188 audience members and was known for its popular entertainment. The venue was forced to close in 1666 during the plague, when public buildings were outlawed. It closed again after the Great Fire of London and was damaged in 1672. Sir Christopher Wren designs the new Theatre Royal Drury Lane 1674-01-01 The new building was opened in 1674 as the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. It was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, and featured a spectacular auditorium with over 2000 seats. The venue continued to hold popular performances, but closed numerous times throughout the 1700s.

The theatre reopens with its present structure 1812-01-01 In 1794 the theatre was rebuilt after being damaged by the Gordon Riots. The third theatre opened in 1794, but burnt to the ground in 1809. In 1812 the theatre was reopened in its present structure and continued to be refurbished throughout the 1800s. The Bohemian Girl opens 1843-11-27 The Bohemian Girl is an opera composed by Michael William Balfe with a libretto by Alfred Bunn, loosely based on a Cervantes tale, La Gitanilla. It was first performed at the Theatre Royal Dryrt Lane in 1843, running for over 100 performances, before transferring to New York, Dublin and Madrid. It features the popular aria "I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls". Cinderella opens 1919-12-26 A brand new production of the classic fairy tale played at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, written by Glover, Dix & Collins.

The show starred Marie Blanche, Harry Claff, Arthur Conquest, Will Evans and Lily Long, and featured an original score including 'Love in Lilac Time', 'I Found You', and 'Love Sends a Little Gift of Roses'. Show Boat has its London Premiere 1928-05-03 The original London production of Jerome Kern's 'Showboat' opened in May 1928 at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The show featured Cedric Hardwicke as Captain Andy, Edith Day as Magnolia, Paul Robeson as Joe, and Alberta Hunter as Queenie. The production was staged by Oscar Hammerstein II with choreography by Sammy Lee. Featuring a string of hits including 'Bill', 'Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man' and 'Ol' Man River', the show continues to be revived all over the world. The Kern and Hammerstein musical 'Three Sisters' opens 1934-04-09 Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein's final collaboration 'Three Sisters' held the record for the shortest run in Drury Lane Theatre history, closing after just two months.

Set at the beginning of World War I, the family drama starred Victoria Hopper, Stanley Holloway, Adele Dixon, Esmond Knight, and Charlotte Greenwood. The score featured 'I Won't Dance', 'Lonely Feet' and 'Now I Have Springtime', and was not produced on Broadway. Oklahoma! opens, marking the start of the Rodgers and Hammerstein era 1947-04-29 The age of the new Broadway musical began with Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'Oklahoma' which ran at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane from 29th April 1947 - 27th May 1950. The theatre became the home of each of their shows, transferring in from Broadway over the next 9 years. 'Carousel' followed next, running from 7th June 1950 to 13th October 1951, with 'South Pacific' playing from 1st November 1951 to 26th September 1953.

Their final hit at the theatre during this period was 'The King and I', which played from 8th October 1953 - 14th January 1956. This was described by many as 'the golden age' of Broadway musicals, and the Theatre Royal was lucky enough to have back to back hits throughout the post-war period. My Fair Lady has its London Premiere 1958-04-30 Based on Bernard Shaw's play 'Pygmalion', 'My Fair Lady' features a score by Alan J Lerner and Fredrick Loewe. The show set the record for the longest running show at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, where it ran for five and a half years, 2,281 performances. Following a successful stint on Broadway, the West End production featured Rex Harrison as Henry Higgins, alongside Julie Andrews as Eliza Doolittle and Stanley Holloway as Alfred Doolittle. The original London production of 'Camelot' opens 1964-09-19 Lerner and Loewe's musical 'Camelot' opened in the West End following a successful Broadway premiere and US National tour.

Based on the Arthurian legends, the musical told the story of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The London production featured Laurence Harvey as Arthur, alongside Elizabeth Larner as Guenevere and Barry Kent as Lancelot. The production ran for 518 performances, before it was made into a film in 1967 starring Richard Harris. Hello, Dolly! has its London Premiere 1965-12-02 The West End premiere of 'Hello Dolly! opened at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in 1965, running for 794 performances. The production starred Mary Martin in the title role of Dolly, alongside Loring Smith as Horace, Johnny Beecher as Barnaby, Garrett Lewis as Cornelius, and Mark Alden as Ambrose Kemper. Gower Champion directed and choreographed the show, which was produced once again by David Merrick. The original London production of 'Mame' opens 1969-02-20 After opening on Broadway in 1966, 'Mame' the musical transferred to the West End starring Ginger Rogers in the title role.

The production was once again directed by Gene Saks, with choreography by Onna White. The production ran for 14 months and was enjoyed by Queen Elizabeth II in a special royal performance. Gone With The Wind opens 1972-05-03 The first musical adaptation of Margaret Mitchell's novel featured a score by Harold Rome and Japanese book by Kazuo Kikuta. The production was directed by Joe Layton, and first presented in Tokyo, before opening at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in 1972. Despite some changes, the show was still 4 hours long and received criticism for expecting the audience to have a good knowledge of the characters prior to seeing the show. The original London production of 'A Chorus Line' opens 1976-07-22 Michael Bennett's iconic musical 'A Chorus Line' featured an impressive score by Marvin Hamlisch. After opening initially off-Broadway in 1975, the West End production opened at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in 1976. It won the Olivier Award for Best Musical in the inaugural Olivier Award ceremony.

The production starred Jane Summerhays and Geraldine Gardner and played for two and a half years. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street opens 1980-07-02 Stephen Sondheim's musical was written as a 'love letter to London'. After premiering on Broadway in 1979, the first London production opened at the Theatre Royal in 1980, but only ran for 157 performances. The production starred Denis Quilley in the title role, with Sheila Hancock as Mrs Lovett. The production was directed by Hal Prince with choreography by Larry Fuller. The show went on to win the Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 1980, despite mixed reviews. 42nd Street opens 1984-08-08 The original West End production of '42nd Street' opened in August 1984 after a record breaking Broadway production produced by David Merrick. It won the 1984 Olivier Award for Best Musical and has been enjoyed by audiences around the UK.

The London production starred a young Catherine Zeta Jones, who stepped into the role of Peggy Sawyer and happened to be seen by one of the chief producers who helped launch her career. Miss Saigon opens 1990-08-09 Boublil and Schonberg's epic musical love story 'Miss Saigon' broke records at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane as it become the longest running show at the venue. Running for over 10 years and 4,264 performances the show was seen by thousands of theatre goers and has since been transported around the world. Nicholas Hytner directed the original production, which featured stage designs by John Napier. Based on the opera Madame Butterfly, the musical relocates the action to the Vietnam War. Jonathan Pryce played the original Engineer, alongside newcomer Lea Salonga who played Kim. The production is to be revived at the Prince Edward Theatre in May 2014. The Witches of Eastwick opens 2001-06-07 The world premiere of this exciting musical opened to mixed reviews at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Based on the John Updike novel and the film of the same name, this musical by Dana P Rowe and John Dempsy was led by Maria Friedman, Joanna Riding and Lucie Arnaz as the three witches. The production later downsized to the Prince of Wales Theatre where it closed in October 2001. The National Theatre's 'My Fair Lady' transfers 2002-09-07 Cameron Mackintosh co-produced a revival of 'My Fair Lady' which original opened at the Lyttleton Theatre in March 2001, directed by Trevor Nunn with choreography by Matthew Bourne. The production transferred to the Theatre Royal in the West End where it continued to be a commercial success. The revival starred Jonathan Pryce as Henry Higgins, alongside Dennis Waterman as Alfred Doolittle. Eastenders star Martine McCutcheon played the central role of Eliza Doolittle, winning the Olivier Award despite missing over half of her performances due to sickness. The production won the Olivier for Outstanding Musical Production.

The National Theatre's 'Anything Goes' transfers 2003-07-10 The National Theatre's production of Cole Porter's 'Anything Goes' original opened at the Olivier Theatre in December 2002. The production was such as success it transferred to the West End, in a similar vein to 'My Fair Lady'. Trevor Nunn directed the revival, which starred Sally Ann Triplett as Reno Sweeny and John Barrowman as Billy Crocker. The Producers opens 2004-09-11 The West End production of Broadway sensation 'The Producers' enjoyed a successful run at the Theatre Royal, playing for 920 performances. The original production saw Nathan Lane reprise his role as Max Bialystock at the last minute as Richard Dreyfuss was 'let go' by producers four days before opening. Lee Evans starred as Leo alongside Leigh Zimmerman as Ulla. The show was an excellent box office success, and continued to have strong ticket sales with replacement stars such as Brad Oscar, Cory English and Reece Shearsmith.

Lord of the Rings the Musical opens 2008-07-06 The highly ambitious musical re-telling of the epic 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy ran for 492 performances at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. After a run in Toronto, the 3 hour production featured over 50 actors and cost over £12million - the most expensive musical produced in the UK. Making full use of the size and scale of the theatre, Rob Howell provided set and costume designs that were universally praised by critics. The show had a mixed response, and many saw it as overly ambitious. Cameron Mackintosh's revival of 'Oliver!' opens 2009-01-14 The new production of Lionel Bart's British musical was heavily based on the 1994 Palladium version, but featured direction by Rupert Goold. Rowan Atkinson starred as Fagin, alongside the winner of the BBC's TV talent search Jodie Prenger as Nancy. The production was an instant sell out throughout Atkinson's run, and continued to play to packed houses throughout the replacement casts which included Russ Abbot, Omid Djalili, and Kerry Ellis in the lead roles.

Shrek the Musical opens 2012-02-06 Jeanine Tesori's musical based on the 2001 DreamWorks film had its European premiere at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The production was based on the 2008 Broadway, but was revamped with new sets and alterations to the book and score. The original London production starred Nigel Lindsay as the green ogre, with Nigel Harman as Lord Farquaad. It was nominated for four Olivier Awards, and went on to run for 715 performances, with a UK tour planned in 2014. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Opens 2013-05-17 This musical adaptation of the beloved Roald Dahl classic opened in October 2013. The production is directed by Sam Mendes and features choreography by Peter Darling. The show was adapted for the stage by David Greig and the story of a young boy who wins a golden ticket that will take him inside the world’s most famous chocolate factory is brought up to date.

42nd Street Opens 2017-04-04 Tony Award winning musical 42nd Street returns to the West End, directed by Mark Bramble who co-authored the book for the original Broadway production. This classic American dream fable follows the life of Peggy Sawyer, who tries her luck in Broadway as an actress and blossoms into a star of the stage. Theatre Royal Drury Lane - Shows In London Theatre Royal Drury Lane Catherine Street, London, United Kingdom, WC2B 5JF Getting Here Catherine Street, London, United Kingdom, WC2B 5JF Nearest Tube Get Directions Loading... Seating Plan The Theatre Royal Drury Lane or the Drury Lane theatre, as it is more commonly known is situated in Covent Garden, London. It is surrounded by numerous bars, varieties and the exciting bustling Covent Garden Piazza. Shrek the musical is currently enjoying huge success at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The theatre is one of the biggest theatres in London with a seating capacity of 2,200. It is London’s oldest theatre. Since 1663 the Theatre Royal Drury Lane has provided entertainment for the masses and has been visited by every monarch since the Restoration.

The theatre has not one, but two, royal boxes and it was here that the public first heard both the National Anthem and Rule Britannia. Previous buildings were managed by the great actor David Garrick and the famous playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan. The current, fourth, building was opened in 1812. The theatre was renowned for its spectacular Victorian melodramas and pantomimes but since the 1920s its history has mirrored the development of the modern musical. From the original London productions of American musicals Rose Marie, The Desert Song and Show Boat, through Ivor Novello’s romantic operettas and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s groundbreaking post-war shows to The Producers and The Lord of the Rings, it has housed some of the finest spectacles on a London stage. My Fair Lady held the record as the theatre’s longest-running show for many years but Cameron Mackintosh’s record-breaking production of Miss Saigon, at ten years, is the current record holder. The Theatre Royal Drury Lane still operates under this Royal Charter today and a copy is proudly displayed in the theatre foyer.

The theatre was visited by Samuel Pepys and was where Charles II first encountered Nell Gwynne, who made her debut on the stage in 1665. Killigrew built a second theatre, opening in 1674 and remaining in operation for 117 years. This building witnessed the triumphs of Thomas Betterton who played Hamlet when he was over 70, and Charles Macklin, who murdered a fellow actor in the Green Room and lived to be over 100. David Garrick became the manager in 1747 and introduced many reforms which have shaped modern theatre. This theatre was demolished and replaced by a larger theatre to seat 3,600 people, designed by Henry Holland, in 1794. This building boasted the world’s first safety curtain but still burned down only 15 years later. The fourth and present theatre opened in 1812. It was designed by Benjamin Wyatt and the front of house areas today are much as they were at the first performance. The building was financed by a committee recruited by the brewer Samuel Whitbread, and Lord Byron was Chairman of the Board.

It was here that Edmund Kean became a star overnight with his performance of Shylock, and where the great clown Joseph Grimaldi gave his farewell benefit performance. American singer and actress Edith Day starred in The Desert Song (1927-1928), in which Anna Neagle also made her stage debut. Show Boat premiered in 1928 with Cedric Hardwicke and Paul Robeson. Noël Coward had a major success with Cavalcade in 1931. The Drury Lane theatre also hosted most of Ivor Novello’s major successes. During the Second World War the theatre was the home base for ENSA and received a direct hit from a gas bomb which, fortunately, did not explode but did destroy the rear of the auditorium. The Drury Lane theatre was home to hit songwriting partnership Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. Oklahoma!

(1947-50) starring Howard Keel, Carousel (1950-1951), South Pacific (1951-1953) and The King and I (1953-1956), with Valerie Hobson and Herbert Lom, were all big hits. My Fair Lady (1958-1963) opened with the original Broadway cast of Julie Andrews, Rex Harrison and Stanley Holloway, and Cecil Beaton’s costume designs, so familiar from the film version. Cameron Mackintosh’s revival of the show, starring Jonathan Pryce and Denis Waterman, transferred to the Drury Lane theatre from the National Theatre in 2001. Camelot (1964-1965) was a hugely successful show, followed by Hello, Dolly! (1965-1967), originally starring Mary Martin with Dora Bryan taking over the leading role in 1966. Ginger Rogers starred in Jerry Herman’s musical Mame in 1969. Michael Crawford became an overnight star in Billy (1974-1976), with Roy Castle succeeding him.

Other notable shows that graced the stage at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane include A Chorus Line (1976-1979), the original production of Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd (1980) starred Denis Quilley and Sheila Hancock, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1981), The Pirates of Penzance (1982) and the spectacular 42nd Street (1984-1989). Cameron Mackintosh’s musical Miss Saigon (1989-1999) holds the record as the theatre’s longest running show, with a total of 4,263 performances. Since the millenium the theatre has staged a number of big productions including The Producers (2004-2007), The Lord of the Rings (2007-2008), Oliver!(2009-2010), and the hugely successful Shrek the Musical (2011-2013). Since then the theatre has been home to the musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Theatre Royal Drury Lane tickets in London: To make a booking or to find ticket prices for Charlie & The Chocolate Factory and An Evening with Charlie Sheen at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London, you can select your ticket preferences at the top of this page. To get further information on Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, please click here 42nd Street (Mar – Jul 2017), please click here Theatre tickets for Charlie & The Chocolate Factory and An Evening with Charlie Sheen at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane are booked through the Shows In London secure online booking system with credit card merchant services provided by Barclaycard. Once tickets are booked through Shows In London you will receive an e-mail confirmation receipt and your tickets will be despatched to you within 48 hours of booking or alternatively left for your collection at the theatre Box Office. At Shows In London we provide access to the full range of tickets from best seats to the cheapest ticket deals for all London West End Theatre, including half-price and discount ticket offers.

Drury Lane Theatre London - information and tickets Seating Plans Drury Lane Theatre, London Current show: Sam Mendes' new stage musical production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory based on the book by Roald Dahl adapted for the stage by David Greig and featuring new songs by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. The Theatre Royal Drury Lane Theatre has the longest continuous theatrical traditional in the UK and is one of the most important theatres in the world. The first theatre was built for Thomas Killigrew, the last of the King's jesters, and was opened by Charles the Second on Thursday 7 May l663. Called the Theatre Royal on Bridges Street, or Bridges Street Theatre for short, it was at this theatre that Nell Gwynne made her first appearance in the play The Indian Queen written by Sir Robert Howard with John Dryden. In 1672 it was burnt down, and was rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren at a cost of �4,000.

This second theatre, now named the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, was opened on Thursday 26 March 1674, and was controlled first by Christopher Rich and later by David Garrick, for whom Robert Adam built a new facade. Then Richard Brinsley Sheridan took over the theatre, and it was rebuilt in 1791 by Henry Holland, the architect of Carlton House and Sloane Street. This third theatre was finally opened on Wednesday 12 March 1794, but was unfortunately burnt down on Friday 24 February 1809. It was again rebuilt, by Benjamin Wyatt, and opened, with a prologue written by Byron, on Saturday 10 October 1812 with a production of Shakespeare's Hamlet. The front portico was added later in 1820 while the side colonnade that runs along Russell Street was added in 1831. It is this fourth theatre which can be seen today. This theatre has virtually always presented 'legit' theatre, one exception was in 1915 when the theatre was given over to showing two films - D W Griffiths' The Birth of a Nation and Intolerance.

On Thursday 24 June 1920 The Garden of Allah, adapted for the stage from the novel by Robert Hitchens by Mary Anderson with music by Landon Ronald, opened directed by Arthur Collins. The extravagant staging, which included real palm trees and real camels, horses, sheep and goats, nearly proved to be disastrous during the sand-storm scene when the real sand half-choked many of the audience sitting in the stalls. Despite this - or maybe because of it - the production proved to be a huge success. Playing nine performances-a-week, the show finally closed on Saturday 2 April 1921 after a run of 358 performances, becoming the longest running production here at the time. After it closed the builders were brought in and the existing auditorium, which had five levels of seating (including the stalls) with the four tiers supported by two large cast-iron pillars, was completely reconstructed. The four tiers where demolished along with the two supporting pillars to be replaced by the existing three tiers which were constructed on the cantilever principle with each tier supported on steel frames and cross girders built into the walls, with each tier now deeper to accommodate a greater number of rows of seats than before.

When the newly remodelled theatre opened just over a year later it was commented on that "The great drawback to the old Drury Lane Theatre was the imperfect view of the stage from many of the seats. In the new house there is an uninterrupted view from every seat, even from the topmost side seats in the amphitheatre, and from the dozen or so front seats at the farthest sides of this part of the house. The change from four tier to three tiers has given the house a much lighter appearance than it wore formerly, and the pleasing effect is heightened by a colour scheme in which pearl grey, Italian pink, Wedgewood blue, and bronze gilt attract the eye. At the sides of the auditorium are decorative panels after Fragonard, and on the walls of the grand staircase in front of the house hand-painted tapestries of scenes from Shakespeare. The exterior of the theatre, the grand vestibule, the rotunda, and the staircases remain in form unchanged.

There is, however, a new entrance to the stalls through the rotunda, and above it is the memorial tablet to the late Sir Henry Irving." The opening production on 20 April 1922, which was attended by the recently married Princess Mary and Viscount Lascelles, was the operetta Decameron Nights, adapted from Giovanni Boccaccio by Robert McLaughlin with lyrics by Boyle Lawrence and music by Herman Finck. The production enjoyed a very successful run of just under a year, closing on Saturday 3 March 1923. The huge stage is 24 metres deep and there are extensive back stage areas - well suited to the mega musicals that this theatre has become synonymous with since the 1920s. The list of musicals and operettas presented here include Rose Marie which opened on Friday 20 March 1925 and run for just over two years before finally closing on Saturday 26 March 1927 after some 851 performances, at the time, the longest running show here at this theatre.

Noel Coward's Cavalcade - which featured a cast and crew of 300 and over 100 extras - opened on Tuesday 13 October 1931 and had a successful and profitable run of 403 performances before closing on Saturday 10 September 1932. From the mid-1930s to mid-1940s the theatre became associated in particular with the work of Ivor Novello whose musicals Glamorous Nights, Careless Rapture, Crest of the Wave and The Dancing Years were all presented here. Ivor Novello lived for a number of years above nearby Novello Theatre (which was renamed from The Strand Theatre in 2005 in honour to the composer). On Monday 11 September 1939 Drury Lane Theatre was taken over by The Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes (N.A.A.F.I) for national service purposes where is served as the headquarters for both the NAAFI and the entertainments branch ENSA, and from where the various voluntary committees were able to organise entertainment for the troops.

In November 1940 a bomb fell through the roof, the gallery, the upper circle, and the grand circle, and exploded at the back of the stalls. The nose-cap of the missile penetrated the floor of the auditorium and smashed the Stalls Bar below. The safety curtain on the stage took the blast and saved everything behind it. After the war the theatre was repaired to bring it back into public theatrical use and it reopened on Thursday 19 December 1946 with Noel Coward's Pacific 1860 starring Mary Martin. The following year the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Oklahoma! opened, running for a total of 2,281 performances. Since then, other long-running shows here have included Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I, My Fair Lady, A Chorus Line and 42nd Street. The longest ever running production at the Drury Lane Theatre was the musical Miss Saigon which opened on Wednesday 20 September 1989 and run for a total of 4,264 performances before finally closing on Saturday 30 October 1999.

The History of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London | Really Useful Group Disabled Access The first theatre was erected in 1663 by Thomas Killigrew, who had received a patent to do so from King Charles II. We still operate under this Royal Charter today and a copy is proudly displayed, although the original is now in the safe-keeping of the nearby Theatre Museum. This building, about the current size of the present stage, was visited by Samuel Pepys and was where Charles II first encountered Nell Gwynne, who made her debut on the stage in 1665. It was short-lived, being destroyed by fire in 1672. Killigrew built a second theatre, opening in 1674 and remaining in operation for 117 years. This building witnessed the triumphs of Thomas Betterton who played Hamlet when he was over 70, Charles Macklin who murdered a fellow actor in the Green Room and lived to be over 100, Peg Woffington, Mrs Jordan, Sarah Siddons and Charles Kemble. David Garrick became the manager in 1747 and introduced many reforms which have shaped modern theatre.

He ruled the roost for 29 years and was succeeded in 1776 by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, whose best known play, The School for Scandal, received its first performance here in 1777. Sheridan oversaw the demolition of the ageing building and its replacement by a larger theatre to seat 3,600 people, designed by Henry Holland, in 1794. It opened in March with a performance of sacred music by Handel because theatrical performances were banned during Lent. This building boasted the world’s first safety curtain but still burned down only 15 years later, bringing Sheridan’s management, and personal fortune, to the ground along with it. The fourth and present building opened in 1812. It was designed by Benjamin Wyatt and the front of house areas today are much as they were at the first performance. The building was financed by a ‘Committee of Renters’ recruited by the brewer Samuel Whitbread, and Lord Byron was Chairman of the board.

It was here that Edmund Kean became a star overnight with his performance of Shylock, where the great clown Joseph Grimaldi gave his farewell benefit performance and where Dan Leno and Herbert Campbell triumphed in a series of spectacular pantomimes. Drury Lane became famous throughout the rest of the 19th and early 20th centuries for producing spectacles under the guidance of its adventurous managers, most notably F.B. Chatterton, Augustus Harris, Arthur Collins and Alfred Butt. Scenes staged included chariot races in Ben Hur, the Derby and an earthquake in The Hope, the Battle of Rorke’s Drift in Youth, a train crash in The Whip, sinking ships, air balloons, underwater fights, the Chelsea Flower Show, Madame Tussaud’s Chamber of Horrors, the flooding of Paris and Alpine avalanches. Rose Marie introduced the American singer and actress Edith Day (1924-1927) who went on to head the casts of The Desert Song (1927-1928), in which Anna Neagle also made her stage debut, and Show Boat (1928) with Cedric Hardwicke and Paul Robeson.

The New Moon (1929) starred Evelyn Laye who received ‘torrents of applause’ and included a blazing pirate ship as one of its scenic attractions. Noël Coward had a major success with Cavalcade (1931). Produced by C.B. Cochrane, the cast of 400 included a young John Mills and set-pieces included a troopship setting sail, the relief of Mafeking and Queen Victoria’s funeral. Coward’s post-war musical Pacific 1860 (1946) starred Mary Martin but did not tap into the public psyche so well and closed after four months. Drury Lane also hosted most of Ivor Novello’s major successes. Glamorous Night (1935), Careless Rapture (1936), Crest of the Wave (1937) and The Dancing Years (1939) all had audiences flocking to the theatre. Novello starred in all of the productions and in true Drury Lane fashion introduced as many major scenic effects as possible, including sinking ships, a fair on Hampstead Heath, a train crash and an earthquake.

During the Second World War the theatre was the home base for ENSA and received a direct hit from a gas bomb which, fortunately, did not explode but did destroy the rear of the auditorium. The Lane was taken over for almost a decade by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II with a succession of ground-breaking hits. Oklahoma! (1947-50) originally starred Howard Keel. Carousel (1950-1951), Mary Martin in South Pacific (1951-1953) and The King and I (1953-1956) with Valerie Hobson and Herbert Lom were all big hits. A revival of The Boys from Syracuse (1963) with Bob Monkhouse and Ronnie Corbett did not fare so well. My Fair Lady (1958-1963) opened with the original Broadway cast of Julie Andrews, Rex Harrison and Stanley Holloway, and Cecil Beaton’s costume designs, so familiar from the film version. Cameron Mackintosh’s revival of the show transferred here from the National Theatre in 2001 starring Jonathan Pryce.

Camelot (1964-1965) was an enormous spectacle and Mary Martin returned to the theatre in Hello, Dolly! (1965-1967). Dora Bryan took over the leading role in 1966 to great acclaim. Ginger Rogers flew in for another Jerry Herman extravaganza in Mame (1969) and Harold Fielding produced the surprise hit The Great Waltz (1970-1972) and a musical version of Gone with the Wind (1972). Michael Crawford became a star overnight in Billy (1974-1976), with Roy Castle succeeding him, and Michael Bennett’s A Chorus Line (1976-1979) opened with its American company before equally talented British chorines became the ‘singular sensation’. The original production of Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd (1980) starred Denis Quilley and Sheila Hancock, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1981) was deemed a little too risqué and The Pirates of Penzance (1982), in a newly scored production by Joseph Papp, was a genuine crowd pleaser.

42nd Street (1984-1989) made tap dancing fashionable again and was enormously popular. Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Miss Saigon (1989-1999) holds the record as the theatre’s longest running show, with a total of 4,263 performances. The helicopter landed at almost every one of them! More recently the theatre has hosted The Witches of Eastwick (2000), The League of Gentlemen (2001), The Stars of the Bolshoi (2001) and Trevor Nunn’s award-winning National Theatre production of Anything Goes (2003). The Producers (2004) kept the building alive with laughter for over two years while The Lord of the Rings (2007) continues the theatre’s tradition of presenting the best and newest trends in musical theatre and uses cutting edge technology to create a stage spectacle reminiscent of the late Victorian and Edwardian productions so popular with the masses. Since December 2005 the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, has been owned 100% by the Really Useful Group Limited.

Mark Fox, with thanks to George Hoare Theatre Royal Drury Lane London - 42nd Street 42nd Street (20 Mar 2017 to 14 Oct 2017) Broadway’s biggest show comes to the West End’s biggest stage as 42nd Street arrives at the... Buy tickets Location The Theatre Royal is excellently located for tourists wishing to explore London’s centre, situated as it is in between Covent Garden market and The Strand. Covent Garden is a fantastic place to while away the hours before a show – there are numerous high street shops including a huge Kurt Geiger for shoe fanatics and more offbeat boutiques like Rokit or Pop Boutique just around the corner, and a market in the centre. If you have kids in tow, there is a Disney store, street performers and sometimes even interactive art installations on offer, and the London Transport Museum is also off the main square. Perhaps most importantly, there is a brilliant selection of restaurants and bars to suit every taste and budget, all conveniently close to the theatre for that pre-show meal. Getting there By Tube: The nearest station to access the Theatre Royal from is Covent Garden, which can be found on the Piccadilly Line.

From here it is a short 5 minute walk to the theatre.By bus: Numbers 1, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, 26, 68, 76, 77A, 168, 171, 171A and 176 all stop close to the theatre.By taxi or car: If you opt to arrive at the theatre via taxi the main entrance is on Catherine Street and not Drury Lane. There are single yellow lines where you can park on Catherine Street Russell Street, which has another entrance to the theatre, but as these may be full there is also a National Car Park on Drury Lane. Theatre Royal Drury Lane Catherine Street, , WC2B 5JF Seating The Theatre Royal enjoys a large seating capacity for over 2000 people, spread across four different levels: the Stalls, Grand Circle, Upper Circle and Balcony. You can see the basic layout of the theatre and the distance of each level from the stage using the seating plan on the right.

From this it is evident that the Stalls are the best place to secure a seat if you really want to feel like you are in the midst of the action. As a result, you can expect to pay the top prices for a seat here, especially if you want to be in the front half of the section, although it is often worth it to give you an impression of the production as it is meant to be experienced. The Stalls are divided into a front and rear section by a wide aisle running the width of the auditorium. Each of those sections is then divided into three, providing a wide and lengthy section. The best seats are those at the front of the rear section around row K-N as they provide great views of the stage, with a moderate rake throughout the auditorium. There are a number of pillars at row YY which can cause obstructions, along with the overhang of the Grand Circle above. The next tier of seating is the Grand Circle, in which there are still some very good views to be had at a slightly cheaper rate. If you can manage to get a seat in the front few rows of this section, you will arguably have the best view in the house as the height enables you to see more of the stage at once.

The section is relatively low for a circle, providing almost eye contact level views of the action. The boxes surround this section and offer varying quality of views. The Upper Circle is further back from the stage and higher up, meaning that you are somewhat distanced from the performances beneath you; however, there are some good deals to be had on seats in this area and if you are prepared to sacrifice a little it can be well worth it overall. The section is divided into three blocks by aisle running length-ways. The overhang from the balcony does restrict the rear of the section, as do pillars in the final two rows. The Balcony is at the very top of the theatre, and is not recommended for those who do not like heights. Some seats may have restricted viewing or require you to lean forward to see the stage. Nonetheless, prices are normally slashed accordingly and if you don’t want to spend a lot, the Balcony can accommodate most budgets. From the middle of the Balcony back you can see over the safety rails, and although you will seem far back, the view of the stage is unobstructed.

Accessibility One of London’s largest theatres, the Theatre Royal Drury Lane has seating spread across 4 levels; the Stalls, Grand Circle, Upper Circle and Balcony. There are 6 steps to the foyer from the main entrance, although there is an alternative level entrance on Russell Street that has a bell on the outside and can be opened by theatre staff. From the main foyer there are 20 steps down then 17 steps up to the Stalls, 39 steps up to the Dress Circle and 61 steps up to the Upper Circle. Discounted rates are available for all disabled patrons and their carers. Wheelchair users should use the level access entrance on Russell Street, which leads directly to the left hand side of the Stalls. From here there are 4 dedicated spaces for wheelchair users at L1, L35, K1 and K35, with space for companions to sit in the same row. Transfer seating is available to any aisle seat in the Stalls section, and wheelchairs and scooters can be stored in the Stalls store room. There are a maximum of two transfer spaces for scooter users.

An adapted toilet can be found inside the Russell Street entrance, and whilst all the theatre bars can only be reached via stairs it is possible for disabled guests to be brought drinks in their seats. There is an induction loop point at the Box Office, and an infra-red system is installed inside the auditorium. Headsets are available from the main foyer. Guide dogs are allowed to accompany their owners inside the auditorium, or alternatively a maximum of 4 dogs can be looked after inside the manager’s office for the duration of each performance.Access bookings telephone line 020 7492 9930 or access booking form History The Theatre Royal on Drury Lane is the oldest in London, and therefore an extremely important building both historically and in terms of its theatrical output. Dating back to 1663, the theatre has had an exciting past and many transformations, with the current building being the fourth on the same site due to previous incarnations being destroyed or burnt down. Thankfully fire safety precautions are not what they once were and the Grade I-listed Theatre Royal now stands as both a monument to the longevity of London theatre and a host to some of the city’s best new musicals and plays.

From its early beginnings in spoken plays and dramas, the theatre today has much more of a musical focus, due in no small part to its ownership by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Theatre Group. Miss Saigon, the musical version of the operatic classic Madame Butterfly, ran for an impressive 10 years before being succeeded by The Producers. Since then, the theatre has staged an ambitious musical adaptation of The Lord of the Rings and a new version of an old favourite in Oliver!, which closed in January 2011 in preparation for a family-friendly musical reimagination of blockbuster Shrek. In May 2013, Lloyd Webber revealed a £4m restoration of the theatre to mark its 350th anniversary. The theatre reopened in 2013 with a brand new musical production of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory directed by Sam Mendes which continues to delight audiences.

Past shows Charlie and the Chocolate Factory , opened 22 May 2013, closed 07 Jan 2017 Shrek The Musical , opened 26 Apr 2011, closed 24 Feb 2013 Site tools Drury Lane Theatre Royal | Theatre People Drury Lane Theatre Royal Are you flexible with this date? Performance: Drury Lane Theatre Royal, London Previous Shows The Lord of the Rings (2007-8) Oliver! (2008-11) WC2B 5JF Important Information: The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane is a separate venue to the Theatre Royal, Haymarket . Please check which one you’re going to. If you are sitting in the Balcony, you will have a separate entrance to go through. Year Built: Seat Plan Venue Information For the ultimate West End theatre, look no further than Drury Lane. With its astounding 2,200 capacity, gloriously decorated boxes and impressive front façade complete with Greek-inspired columns, a trip to the theatre here will be amongst your most memorable.

Travel Piccadilly Directions From Tube: (5mins) Go right on Long Acre; turn right into Bow Street and after 100 metres it will be on your left in Russell Street/Catherine Street. Bus Numbers: (Aldwych) 6, 11, 13, 23, 59, 68, 87, 171, 172, 188, RV1, X68 Night Bus Numbers: (Aldwych) 6, 23, 188, N11, N13, N26, N47, N68, N87, N89, N155, N171, N551 Nearest Rail Station: Catherine Street, London, WC2B 5JF History If there is one theatre worth visiting for its history alone, it’s the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. It’s more than 300 years old, so it comes as no surprise that it’s one of the most haunted places in London (with friendly ghosts, so no need to worry!).

Its early triumph can be easily attributed to being one of only two theatres to receive royal permission to perform drama. And even though it no longer had this exclusive right by the mid-19th century, manager Augustus Harris knew how to make a name for the theatre. Its uniquely large size helped capture his imagination, and he staged the most extraordinary and expensive productions, for which he always reaped plenty of rewards. Future managers knew Harris was on to something, and kept up the spectacular productions, making them somewhat of a Drury Lane tradition. Post-war, legendary composers Rodgers and Hammerstein ruled the roost with Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific and The King and I all staged within 10 years. This paved the way for a 20th century of classic musicals at Drury Lane, including productions of My Fair Lady, Hello, Dolly! and A Chorus Line, taking to the magnificent stage for a number of years each.

You don’t need to go back too far to recall Drury Lane’s penchant for blockbuster musicals; tap-dancing extravaganza 42nd Street pittered-pattered its way into audience’s hearts for 5 years, while Vietnam War love story Miss Saigon holds the Drury Lane record at 10 years and 4,200 performances for its longest show. Acclaimed crowd-pleasers Oliver! and Mel Brooks’ The Producers were its biggest ‘00s hits, proving that its days as a most sought-after London theatre are by no means numbered. Inside Track Ghosts The Theatre Royal Drury Lane is known as the most haunted theatre in London. Among the ghosts are Charles Macklin, who murdered a fellow actor on stage by accident because of a wig argument; pantomime comedian Dan Leno and one of the earliest clowns Joe Grimaldi (whose ghost allegedly likes to play pranks on staff). Its most famous ghost is the Man in Grey. Usually only turning up during the day for rehearsals, an actor or production member should be happy to see him – he’s believed to appear only when the show will be a success!

In the 1870s a gruesome discovery was made in a hidden room behind a wall – a skeleton with a knife in the chest. No wonder the Drury Lane is so haunted! Building Four separate theatres have existed on the site; the second lasted the longest at an impressive 117 years, while the third held the most people: a mind-boggling 3,600. The current theatre has been around since 1812. It is the oldest theatre site in the West End, and every monarch has visited it since it opened. Although the theatre was untouched by the Great Fire of London in 1666, it ironically burned to the ground six years later. A bomb struck the Drury Lane theatre during the Second World War; to this day, the nose of the bomb is on display in the corridors. The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane had the world’s first safety curtain. Shows The theatre hosted the theatrical adaptation of The Lord of the Rings from 2007-8, and with the price tag of £12 million, it is the most expensive stage production ever made.

Some of the most ambitious scenes staged at Drury Lane include a sinking ship, an earthquake and a train crash. West End champion Michael Crawford, who went on to become the infamous Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera , saw his career launched here with a lead role in musical Billy in the ‘70s. Tidbits King George III was shot at here in 1800 while entering his box – luckily the bullet missed, and the King even managed to take a nap during the interval! ‘Baddeley Cake’ is provided in the backstage green room – it’s named after one Robert Baddeley, a long-time member of the Drury Lane theatre company, who left money in his will to provide baked goods for performers for years! The theatre was the venue where people heard ‘Rule Britannia’ and the national anthem for the first time. Seat Plan Roll-over to zoom Nearest Restaurants Make the most of your trip on the town with a delicious meal before the show. Check out our top recommendations below. All these restaurants are just a stone’s throw away from your theatre. So you can relax before enjoying a slice of world class entertainment. Simply add your theatre tickets to your basket and select the restaurant of your choice.

Theatre Royal Drury Lane - Shows In London Theatre Royal Drury Lane Catherine Street, London, United Kingdom, WC2B 5JF Getting Here Catherine Street, London, United Kingdom, WC2B 5JF Nearest Tube Get Directions Loading... Seating Plan The Theatre Royal Drury Lane or the Drury Lane theatre, as it is more commonly known is situated in Covent Garden, London. It is surrounded by numerous bars, varieties and the exciting bustling Covent Garden Piazza. Shrek the musical is currently enjoying huge success at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The theatre is one of the biggest theatres in London with a seating capacity of 2,200. It is London’s oldest theatre. Since 1663 the Theatre Royal Drury Lane has provided entertainment for the masses and has been visited by every monarch since the Restoration. The theatre has not one, but two, royal boxes and it was here that the public first heard both the National Anthem and Rule Britannia. Previous buildings were managed by the great actor David Garrick and the famous playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan. The current, fourth, building was opened in 1812.

The theatre was renowned for its spectacular Victorian melodramas and pantomimes but since the 1920s its history has mirrored the development of the modern musical. From the original London productions of American musicals Rose Marie, The Desert Song and Show Boat, through Ivor Novello’s romantic operettas and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s groundbreaking post-war shows to The Producers and The Lord of the Rings, it has housed some of the finest spectacles on a London stage. My Fair Lady held the record as the theatre’s longest-running show for many years but Cameron Mackintosh’s record-breaking production of Miss Saigon, at ten years, is the current record holder. The Theatre Royal Drury Lane still operates under this Royal Charter today and a copy is proudly displayed in the theatre foyer. The theatre was visited by Samuel Pepys and was where Charles II first encountered Nell Gwynne, who made her debut on the stage in 1665. Killigrew built a second theatre, opening in 1674 and remaining in operation for 117 years.

This building witnessed the triumphs of Thomas Betterton who played Hamlet when he was over 70, and Charles Macklin, who murdered a fellow actor in the Green Room and lived to be over 100. David Garrick became the manager in 1747 and introduced many reforms which have shaped modern theatre. This theatre was demolished and replaced by a larger theatre to seat 3,600 people, designed by Henry Holland, in 1794. This building boasted the world’s first safety curtain but still burned down only 15 years later. The fourth and present theatre opened in 1812. It was designed by Benjamin Wyatt and the front of house areas today are much as they were at the first performance. The building was financed by a committee recruited by the brewer Samuel Whitbread, and Lord Byron was Chairman of the Board. It was here that Edmund Kean became a star overnight with his performance of Shylock, and where the great clown Joseph Grimaldi gave his farewell benefit performance. American singer and actress Edith Day starred in The Desert Song (1927-1928), in which Anna Neagle also made her stage debut.

Show Boat premiered in 1928 with Cedric Hardwicke and Paul Robeson. Noël Coward had a major success with Cavalcade in 1931. The Drury Lane theatre also hosted most of Ivor Novello’s major successes. During the Second World War the theatre was the home base for ENSA and received a direct hit from a gas bomb which, fortunately, did not explode but did destroy the rear of the auditorium. The Drury Lane theatre was home to hit songwriting partnership Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. Oklahoma! (1947-50) starring Howard Keel, Carousel (1950-1951), South Pacific (1951-1953) and The King and I (1953-1956), with Valerie Hobson and Herbert Lom, were all big hits. My Fair Lady (1958-1963) opened with the original Broadway cast of Julie Andrews, Rex Harrison and Stanley Holloway, and Cecil Beaton’s costume designs, so familiar from the film version.

Cameron Mackintosh’s revival of the show, starring Jonathan Pryce and Denis Waterman, transferred to the Drury Lane theatre from the National Theatre in 2001. Camelot (1964-1965) was a hugely successful show, followed by Hello, Dolly! (1965-1967), originally starring Mary Martin with Dora Bryan taking over the leading role in 1966. Ginger Rogers starred in Jerry Herman’s musical Mame in 1969. Michael Crawford became an overnight star in Billy (1974-1976), with Roy Castle succeeding him. Other notable shows that graced the stage at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane include A Chorus Line (1976-1979), the original production of Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd (1980) starred Denis Quilley and Sheila Hancock, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1981), The Pirates of Penzance (1982) and the spectacular 42nd Street (1984-1989).

Cameron Mackintosh’s musical Miss Saigon (1989-1999) holds the record as the theatre’s longest running show, with a total of 4,263 performances. Since the millenium the theatre has staged a number of big productions including The Producers (2004-2007), The Lord of the Rings (2007-2008), Oliver!(2009-2010), and the hugely successful Shrek the Musical (2011-2013). Since then the theatre has been home to the musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Theatre Royal Drury Lane tickets in London: To make a booking or to find ticket prices for Charlie & The Chocolate Factory and An Evening with Charlie Sheen at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London, you can select your ticket preferences at the top of this page.

To get further information on Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, please click here 42nd Street (Mar – Jul 2017), please click here Theatre tickets for Charlie & The Chocolate Factory and An Evening with Charlie Sheen at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane are booked through the Shows In London secure online booking system with credit card merchant services provided by Barclaycard. Once tickets are booked through Shows In London you will receive an e-mail confirmation receipt and your tickets will be despatched to you within 48 hours of booking or alternatively left for your collection at the theatre Box Office. At Shows In London we provide access to the full range of tickets from best seats to the cheapest ticket deals for all London West End Theatre, including half-price and discount ticket offers. History - Theatre Royal | Really Useful Theatres HISTORY Gallery HISTORY For three and a half centuries the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, has provided entertainment for the masses and has been visited by every monarch since the Restoration. The theatre has not one, but two, Royal boxes and it was here that the public first heard both the National Anthem and Rule Britannia.

The Theatre celebrated its 350th years of operation on 7 May 2013 and the current building had its 200th birthday in October 2012. The first theatre was erected in 1663 by Thomas Killigrew, who had received a patent to do so from King Charles II. We still operate under this Royal Charter today and a copy is proudly displayed although the original is now in the safe-keeping of the V&A Theatre and Performance Collections. This building, about the current size of the present stage, was visited by Samuel Pepys and was where Charles II first encountered Nell Gwynne, who made her debut on the stage in 1665. It was short-lived, being destroyed by fire in 1672. Killigrew built a second theatre, opening in 1674 and remaining in operation for 117 years. This building witnessed the triumphs of Thomas Betterton who played Hamlet when he was over 70, Charles Macklin who murdered a fellow actor in the Green Room and lived to be over 100, Peg Woffington, Mrs Jordan, Sarah Siddons and Charles Kemble.

David Garrick became the manager in 1747 and introduced many reforms which have shaped modern theatre. He ruled the roost for 29 years and was succeeded in 1776 by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, whose best known play, The School for Scandal, received its first performance here in 1777. Sheridan oversaw the demolition of the ageing building and its replacement by a larger theatre to seat 3,600 people, designed by Henry Holland, in 1794. It opened in March with a performance of sacred music by Handel because theatrical performances were banned during Lent. This building boasted the world’s first safety curtain but still burned down only 15 years later, bringing Sheridan’s management, and personal fortune, to the ground along with it. The fourth and present building opened in 1812. It was designed by Benjamin Wyatt and the front of house areas today are much as they were at the first performance. In early 2013 the front of house areas were all refurbished with a major decoration project restoring the areas as closely as possible to the original 1812 scheme.

The building was financed by a ‘Committee of Renters’ recruited by the brewer Samuel Whitbread, and Lord Byron was chairman of the board. It was here that Edmund Kean became a star overnight with his performance of Shylock, where the great clown Joseph Grimaldi gave his farewell benefit performance and where Dan Leno and Herbert Campbell triumphed in a series of spectacular pantomimes. Drury Lane became famous throughout the rest of the 19th and early 20th centuries for producing spectacles under the guidance of its adventurous managers, most notably F B Chatterton, Augustus Harris, Arthur Collins and Alfred Butt. Scenes staged included chariot races in Ben Hur, the Derby and an earthquake in The Hope, the Battle of Rorke’s Drift in Youth, a train crash in The Whip, sinking ships, air balloons, underwater fights, the Chelsea Flower Show, Madame Tussaud’s Chamber of Horrors, the flooding of Paris and Alpine avalanches. Shrek The Musical was the latest all-singing, all-dancing spectacular to grace the stage of ‘The Lane’, which since the 1920s has become London’s major home for the lavish musical.

Rose Marie introduced the American singer and actress Edith Day (1924-27) who went on to head the casts of The Desert Song (1927-28), in which Anna Neagle also made her stage debut, and Show Boat (1928) with Cedric Hardwicke and Paul Robeson. The New Moon (1929) starred Evelyn Laye who received ‘torrents of applause’ and included a blazing pirate ship as one of its scenic attractions. Noël Coward had a major success with Cavalcade (1931). Produced by C.B. Cochrane, the cast of 400 included a young John Mills and set-pieces included a troopship setting sail, the relief of Mafeking and Queen Victoria’s funeral. Coward’s post-war musical Pacific 1860 (1946) starred Mary Martin but did not tap into the public psyche so well and closed after four months. Drury Lane also hosted most of Ivor Novello’s major successes.

Glamorous Night (1935), Careless Rapture (1936), Crest of the Wave (1937) and The Dancing Years (1939) all had audiences flocking to the theatre. Novello starred in all of the productions and in true Drury Lane fashion introduced as many major scenic effects as possible, including sinking ships, a fair on Hampstead Heath, a train crash and an earthquake. During the Second World War the theatre was the home base for ENSA and received a direct hit from a gas bomb which, fortunately, did not explode but did destroy the rear of the auditorium. The Lane was taken over for almost a decade by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II with a succession of ground-breaking hits. Oklahoma! (1947-50) originally starred Howard Keel, Carousel (1950-51), Mary Martin in South Pacific (1951-53) andThe King and I (1953-56) with Valerie Hobson and Herbert Lom were all big hits. A revival of The Boys from Syracuse (1963) with Bob Monkhouse and Ronnie Corbett did not fare so well.

My Fair Lady (1958-63) opened with the original Broadway cast of Julie Andrews, Rex Harrison and Stanley Holloway, and Cecil Beaton’s costume designs, so familiar from the film version. Cameron Mackintosh’s revival of the show transferred here from the National Theatre in 2001 starring Jonathan Pryce. Camelot (1964-65) was an enormous spectacle and Mary Martin returned to the theatre in Hello, Dolly! (1965-67). Dora Bryan took over the leading role in 1966 to great acclaim. Ginger Rogers flew in for another Jerry Herman extravaganza in Mame (1969) and Harold Fielding produced the surprise hit The Great Waltz (1970-72) and a musical version of Gone with the Wind (1972). Michael Crawford became a star overnight in Billy (1974-76), with Roy Castle succeeding him, and Michael Bennett’s A Chorus Line (1976-79) opened with its American company before equally talented British chorines became the ‘singular sensation’.

The original production of Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd (1980) starred Denis Quilley and Sheila Hancock, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1981) was deemed a little too risqué and The Pirates of Penzance (1982), in a newly scored production by Joseph Papp, was a genuine crowd pleaser. 42nd Street (1984-89) made tap dancing fashionable again and was enormously popular. Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Miss Saigon (1989-99) holds the record as the theatre’s longest-running show, with a total of 4,263 performances. The helicopter landed at almost every one of them! Into the 21st century the theatre hosted The Witches of Eastwick (2000), The League of Gentlemen (2001), The Stars of the Bolshoi (2001) and Trevor Nunn’s award-winning NT production of Anything Goes (2003).

The Producers (2004) kept the building alive with laughter for over two years while The Lord of the Rings (2007) continued the theatre’s tradition of presenting the best and newest trends in musical theatre and using cutting-edge technology to create a stage spectacle reminiscent of the late Victorian and Edwardian productions so popular with the masses. Next French and Saunders chose The Lane as the venue for their farewell live performances prior to the opening of Cameron Mackintosh’s revival of Oliver! (2009) starring Rowan Atkinson and Jodie Prenger (cast as Nancy in the BBC’s I’d Do Anything). Before Shrek The Musical (2011), the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, hosted the Society of London Theatre’s Laurence Olivier Awards in a spectacular stage production which included guest appearances from Barry Manilow, Angela Lansbury and Stephen Sondheim. A brand new musical production of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory began to fit up in March 2013, beginning previews in May and opening in June.

Recent concerts have seen Petula Clark, ABC, M People and K T Tunstall on the Drury Lane stage and in February 2014 John Travolta flew in from America for an on stage interview. In 2015 the theatre hosted the British Academy Television Awards, concerts by Lulu and Opeth, an all-star 85th birthday tribute for Stephen Sondheim and Michael McIntyre’s Big Christmas Show broadcast by the BBC on Christmas Day. Since December 2005 the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, has been owned 100% by The Really Useful Group Limited. Mark Fox with thanks to George Hoare 2016 Space does not allow for detailed inclusion of all productions at this theatre. A complete chronological history of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, from its inception in 1660, is available in a lavishly illustrated souvenir brochure on sale in the theatre foyer. During productions there are regular daily tours of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Our History

Question: What is the longest running show staged at London's Royal Drury Lane theatre?
Answer: Miss Saigon