Theater+Royal+Drury+Lane

Theatre Royal, Drury Lane Thomas Killigrew received a patent from King Charles II, to build the first theatre Royal, which was erected in 1663. It opened on May 7, 1663, “in the propitious era of Restoration drama” but was destroyed by a fire in 1672 (Britanica.com). Since the first theatre in 1663, three others have been built (Britanica.com). This theatre was very popular during the 17th century and is still popular today. The building was and still is magnificent since its erection in 1663. Drury Lane is one of the oldest theatre spaces in London, understanding the history of the theatre space, appreciating the structure, which shows how theatre had evolved with each new style that was added to the building every time it was rebuilt and all the work and detailing that went into its construction is important to show the meaning of the theatre to London society and how Drury Lane played a role in the development of theatre. Below //-// A 1949 Copy of the Drury Lane Charter of 1663
 * Introduction **
 * Charter **

currently displayed in the basement of the Theatre's backstage area - Photo M.L.

Drury Lane went through several reconstructions before it became what it is today. The first building was erected in 1663, but was destroyed by a fire in 1672. A second theatre was built opening in 1674, also by Killigrew, and was said to be designed by architect Sir Christopher Wren (reallyusefull.com). This building remained in operation for 117 years, and witnessed many triumphs. Some of those triumphs are; “Thomas Betterton who played Hamlet when he was over 70, Peg Woffington, Mrs Jordan, Sarah Siddons and Charles Kemble” (reallyuseful.com). In 1774 David Garrick became the manager of the theatre, and ran the theatre for 30 years. He was responsible for introducing reforms which shaped modern theatre (authorlloyd.co). Richard Brinsley Sheridan took over in 1776, he was best known for his play //School of Scandal//, which received its first performance at Drury Lane (Banham 310). The second theatre was demolished in 1791, and was replaced by a larger theatre to seat about 3600 people, designed by Henry Holland in 1794. Sheridan oversaw the whole reconstruction of the new building (reallyuseful.com). Fifteen years later the building burned down, even though it boasted the world’s first safety curtain (authorlloyd.co). This brought an end to Sheridan’s management and personal fortune (reallyuseful.com). In 1812 the fourth and present Theatre Royal, Drury Lane was built. It opened with “a prologue by Lord Byron, with a performance of Hamlet with Robert Elliston in the title role” (Banham 310). It was designed by Benjamin Wyatt and was very successful for many years because of the endorsement of Author Collins and Augustus Harris. Their prosperity was “based on sensation drama and the annual pantomime” (Banham 310). Under Alfred Butt Drury Lane became the home of English musical, it also became the home of the American Musical in years following WWII, with Ivor Novello dominating the years in between (311).
 * History **

In 1922 a new structure was being formulated for the theatre space. “Out went the old Horse Shoe shaped auditorium with its fourcircles and in its place a completely new auditorium with three circles” was put in (authorlloyd.co). The exterior was left intact, and any of the old fixtures that were left standing was tested and strengthened. The architect and constructors underwent many difficulties when demolishing the building; all sorts of curious conditions were discovered, such as “relics of the old building of 1812 and of the various alterations the old edifice had undergone” (authorlloyd.co). The constructors had to modify their plans to encompass the difficulties they encountered. The former horse shoe shape of the building was replaced by a rectangular arena, allowing space for more seating. The four old circles were replaced by three new circles, which were extended inwards to hold twelve instead of six rows of seat. The overhanging portions “were constructed on the cantilever system, so that there were no pillars or any other obstructions to the view of the stage from any seat the house” (authorllyod.co). The first tier was built with a spacious apartment for Royalty, and there were twenty-one large comfortable boxes also. The space for the orchestra was enlarged, for giving performances of grand opera. “Commodious dressing rooms for the artists” were also built, “a thing too often lacking in the old insanitary days of theatre construction” (authorlloyd.co). The pit was raised to overlook the whole ground floor (authorlloyd.co). The roof of the theatre was also raised 8ft higher than the old one for greater air space and ventilation (authorlloyd.co). The upper gallery boasted a floor area of “32 feet by 17 feet, and it housed twenty powerful lamps for the flooding of the stage with any kind of powerful or colored light” (authourlloyd.co). The exterior was redecorated and old parts made good; the interior boasted the latest style of theatre art ornamentation.
 * Structure **



September 1939 during WWII, the Theatre Royal became the headquarters of ENSA (Entertainments National Service Association) (westendwar.org). This organization “was dedicated to allied troops with a variety of plays and revues,” and despite the constant threat of bombing from enemy aircraft ENSA continued to use the Theatre throughout the war (westendwar.org). On October 15, 1940 the Theatre Royal became a victim of German bombing. At around 11:55pm an explosive bomb hit the rear circle and caused a fire (westendwar.org). The damage to the circle and the pit was considerable. Some workers were sleeping in the room where the bomb hit, but all escaped with minor injuries (westendwar.org). The fire brigade came and put out the fire and the Theatre only suffered minimal damage, which was a relief considering the Theatres previous history with fires (1692, 1809) (westendwar.org). In December 19, 1946 the Theatre was restored and reopened. There are many people who made Drury Lane into the theatre that is today. David Garrick was one of the most influential persons associated with Drury Lane. He was an English actor and a theatre manager (theatrehistory.com). He managed Convent Garden and Drury Lane (theatrehistory.com). Drury Lane was Garrick’s home, he made the Theatre a foundation on which all the other London houses of entertainment rested (Nicoll 36). Garrick personally oversaw the reconstruction of the theatre in his time there, he realized that trends were changing and he ensured that people were pleased with their experience at Drury Lane, by updating the theatre, by making it more current to its time period (44). He set the standard for theatre spaces in his time and people still recognize him today for his contribution to English theatre.
 * Bombing **
 * David Garrick **

Drury Lane was famous for the different plays, spectacles and pantomimes that were put on inside its walls. Many actors from all walks of life both past and present have had the opportunity to perform in this theatre stage that has been around for centuries. It is also known for scenes staged under the management of F.B. Chatterton, Augustus Harris, Arthur Collins and Alfred Butt, such as: 1. Chariot races in //Ben Hur//, the Derby and an earthquake in //The Hope// 2. The Battle of Rorke’s Drift in //Youth// 3. A train crash in //The Whip// 4. Sinking ships, air balloons 5. Underwater fights, 6. The Chelsea Flower Show 7. Madame Tussaud’s Chamber of Horrors, 8. The flooding of Paris and Alpine avalanches” during the 19th to early 20th century (reallyuseful.com). The theatre also hosted most of Ivor Novello major successes such as: 1. //Glamorous Night// (1935), //Careless Rapture// (1936) 2. //Crest of the Wave// (1937) // 3. 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” (reallyuseful.com).
 * Past Performances[[image:Poster_for_Theatre_Royal_Drury_Lane_Mr_Collins_1.jpg width="258" height="400" align="right"]] **

Some more current performances performed at Drury Lane are:
 * 20th and 21st Century Performances [[image:banner.jpg width="560" height="136" align="right"]] **


 * 1) 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” and other such as
 * 2) //The Witches of Eastwick// (2000)
 * 3) // The League of Gentlemen(2001), // //The Stars of the Bolshoi// (2001)
 * 4) Trevor Nunn’s award-winning National Theatre production of // Anything Goes // (2003)
 * 5) // The Producers // (2004) kept the building alive with laughter for over two years while //The Lord of the Rings// (2007)” demonstrated the theatre’s tradition of the best and latest trend in the musical theatre and using the most cutting edge technology to put on an unforgettable show that stayed true to the “late Victorian and Edwardian productions so popular with the masses” (reallyuseful.com). Drury Lane is a spectacular building that has lasted a long time. It is a part of London’s theatre history and culture. The people affiliated with this theatre space contributed style and structure to theatre that has lasted centuries. The current building is elaborate, graceful and beautiful and people take pride in being able to say they have been to this theatre.

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Work Cited Banham, Martin. //The Cambridge Guide to Theatre//. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1995. Print.

Nicoll, Allardyce, and Sybil Marion Rosenfeld. //The Garrick Stage: Theatres and Audience// // in the Eighteenth Century. Athens: University of Georgia, 1980. Print. // http://www.theatrehistory.com/british/garrick001.html [] [] []