The theatre
Drury Lane is the largest of the West End houses, seating 1,996 over four levels, and it programmes the big musicals accordingly. The Catherine Street frontage, the colonnade and the sweeping rotunda staircases are all part of Wyatt's 1812 design, and the building is worth arriving early for in its own right.
Four theatres, one site
Thomas Killigrew built the first theatre here in 1663 under a patent from Charles II. It burned down in 1672. The second, designed by Christopher Wren, was pulled down in 1791 for being too small, and the third burned in 1809. Wyatt's building, the fourth, opened on 10 October 1812 with Hamlet and a prologue written by Lord Byron. No other theatre site in London has been in use as long.
Good to know
Covent Garden station is the nearest at a few minutes' walk, with Temple and Holborn not much further. The theatre sits a couple of minutes from the piazza, so it is easy to combine with dinner nearby.
