West End

With almost every West End theatre on our books we wanted to dive back into history and look into the origins of London’s West End. I’m sure most of you reading this have walked through the crowded lobbies of one or two of these historic buildings, and felt the buzz of excitement and anticipation for the performance to come. Well, you’re not alone! Throughout history, the great, the good, and even the grand Royals have enjoyed spectating plays from various royal boxes within ‘theatreland’.

The 3 oldest theatres still in use within the heart of London’s West End today are:

1. Theatre Royal Drury Lane

2. The Royal Opera House (formerly Theatre Royal Covent Garden)

3. Theatre Royal Haymarket (or just The Haymarket)

In other words, they are or have all been called Theatre Royal at some point because they were the first theatres to re-open with a royal patent after an 18 year closure during the English Civil War; when Charles II was reinstated King in 1660 he encouraged two acting companies: King’s Company and Duke’s Company to stage 'serious' dramas at these sites - the patent theatres. This led to a new genre of theatre, in which we see many changes including the birth of the 'restoration comedy', the rise of the celebrity actor, and the first actresses to be accepted on the stage.

Theatre Royal Drury Lane – 4 tiers – current production: 42 Street

1663 – 1st theatre built on the site to house the King’s Company led by Thomas Killigrew

1672 – fire

1674 – 2nd theatre built. Within the life of this building, the theatre was led by David Garrick (1717-1779) who pioneered a new style of acting through the portrayal of realism.

1791 – demolished

1794 – 3rd theatre built. Except for churches, it was the tallest building in London.

1809 – fire

1812 – modern theatre built.

Quirky facts:

*This theatre boasts as having been visited by every monarch since the Restoration.

*It was here that the public first heard both the National Anthem and Rule Britannia.

*It’s known as one of the world’s most haunted theatres!

The Royal Opera House – 4 tiers – Home to the Royal Opera (and orchestra) and Royal Ballet

1728 – originally built at the site of an ancient convent garden and called Theatre Royal. It served as a playhouse for the first 100 years and was in constant competition with the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, often showing the same plays at the same time.

1808 – fire

1809 – 2nd theatre built. During the life of this theatre, the leader of the Royal Opera, housed at Her Majesty’s Theatre Haymarket, moved allegiance to Covent Garden and brought the company with him

1856 – fire

1858 – 3rd theatre built (and basis for theatre we know today). The house has undergone several renovations since the 1980s, including a two-and-a-half-year redevelopment (1997-1999).

Quirky facts:

*First theatre to use limelight to light it’s actors.

*It was the location for the first public performance on a piano in England - May 1767.

*It premiered many Handel operas, some of which were written for the House and conducted by Handel himself.

Theatre Royal Haymarket – 4 tiers – current production: Queen Anne

1720 – 1st theatre built by young carpenter John Potter

1767 – refurbished and became 3rd patent theatre in London

1794 – the ‘dreadful accident’ when 20 people lost their lives in a crowd press while trying to glimpse His Majesty, who was present that evening at the performance.

1821 – refurbishment in connection with John Nash’s schemes for the improvement of the neighbourhood.

1879 – refurbishment by Bancroft - stalls as we know today replacing the former pit

Quirky facts:

*It was the home to the first ever matinee performance in 1873.

*Gielgud stayed in the theatre for weeks during the Blitz - in dressing room 10.

*In 1998 Masterclass was founded – a charity that offers creative experience for young people striving to work in the performing arts.

*Facts from various online sources.