Drury Lane Theatre Royal

About the Drury Lane Theatre Royal

Lord of the Rings is the latest musical to arrive at allegedly the most haunted theatre in London, the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, is the latest of four theatres on this site dating back to 1663, making it London’s oldest theatre. Nell Gwynn and Charles Hart appeared in the first theatre built here known as the ‘Theatre Royal in Bridges Street’. This building was destroyed by fire in 1672. Christopher Wren designed the second larger theatre that opened in 1674 as ‘Theatre Royal in Drury Lane’.

A third even larger theatre replaced Wren's building in 1794 but lasted only 15 years before burning down in 1809. The current building opened in 1812 and has housed diverse genres: including a run of Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, Ivor Novello, Shakespearean Edmund Kean and comedian Dan Leno. Even Samuel Phelps was once actor-manager. It is now owned by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

• Infra-red system with 10 headsets. Best reception in Centre Stalls and Centre Circle. Headsets available from duty manager in main foyer.

• Guide dogs not allowed into the auditorium but theatre staff can care for them in an office.