The Theatre Royal Drury Lane is a historic theatre in London where musicals and plays are staged. The theatre is one of the longest-running playhouses in the city, as it has featured plays since the 17th century.
Beginning
Dramatist Thomas Killigrew built the first Theatre Royal on Bridges Street, which opened in 1663. The first building was a 700-seat, three-tiered wooden structure.
Early Performances
According to London-theatreland.co.uk, the theatre's acting company held performances of "talk drama," actor-driven plays. This included Restoration comedies. These plays differed from those held by the rival acting company, which had operas and baroque plays.
Dramatist Thomas Killigrew built the first Theatre Royal on Bridges Street, which opened in 1663. The first building was a 700-seat, three-tiered wooden structure.
Early Performances
According to London-theatreland.co.uk, the theatre's acting company held performances of "talk drama," actor-driven plays. This included Restoration comedies. These plays differed from those held by the rival acting company, which had operas and baroque plays.
Struggles
In the beginning, the theatre struggled because its plays were not popular among the masses. It was frequented by some individuals, such as businessman Samuel Pepys. The first Theatre Royal burned down in 1672.
Second Theatre
The second Theatre Royal, a 2,000-seat auditorium, was built on Drury Lane. The theatre company continued to have problems because of political unrest in the country, changes in management, financial issues and actor walkouts.
Shakespeare Pieces
From 1747 to 1776, 24 of William Shakespeare's plays were staged at the theatre. During this period, the theatre was successful while under the ownership of actor David Garrick.
Other Theatres
The second Royal Theatre was demolished in 1791 to make room for a larger theatre, which was opened in 1794 and burned down in 1809. The current theatre, a 3,060-seat building, opened in 1812 with the production of Shakespeare's "Hamlet." After World War II, the theatre began to have musical productions.
In the beginning, the theatre struggled because its plays were not popular among the masses. It was frequented by some individuals, such as businessman Samuel Pepys. The first Theatre Royal burned down in 1672.
Second Theatre
The second Theatre Royal, a 2,000-seat auditorium, was built on Drury Lane. The theatre company continued to have problems because of political unrest in the country, changes in management, financial issues and actor walkouts.
Shakespeare Pieces
From 1747 to 1776, 24 of William Shakespeare's plays were staged at the theatre. During this period, the theatre was successful while under the ownership of actor David Garrick.
Other Theatres
The second Royal Theatre was demolished in 1791 to make room for a larger theatre, which was opened in 1794 and burned down in 1809. The current theatre, a 3,060-seat building, opened in 1812 with the production of Shakespeare's "Hamlet." After World War II, the theatre began to have musical productions.
