Drury Lane Theatre

Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, in London, Designed by Benjamin Wyatt in 1812, 1826 Giclee Print 24" x 18" $49.99 Unframed

Sir Walter Besant, in The Fascination of London, published in 1903, continues his survey of the Strand district with a look at the famous Drury Lane Theatre:

The Drury Lane Theatre has many interesting associations. It was built by Killigrew in 1663, and was called the King's House, under which title Pepys recalls many visits to it.

In 1671 it was burnt down. It was rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren, and opened 1674.

Among the list of patentees we have the names of Rich, Steele, Doggett, Wilks, Cibber, Booth, and also Garrick, who began here his Shakespearian revivals.

Sheridan succeeded Garrick as part proprietor, and in 1788 John Kemble became manager.

The old theatre was demolished in 1791, and a new one opened three years after. This was also burned down in 1809, and the present theatre opened three years later.

J. T. Smith takes the origin of the theatre still further back, saying that even from the time of Shakespeare there had been a theatre here, which had been a cockpit. The site of the cockpit, however, is on the other side of Drury Lane, where Pit Place now is.

North of the theatre was a disused burial-ground, later asphalted and turned into a public playground.

It was less than a quarter of an acre in extent. It is now built over by workmen's dwellings of the usual kind.

It was an additional burial-ground to St Mary's le Strand, and is mentioned by Dickens in "Bleak House."

Next: The Strand District: Punch