Photo credit: © Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
A tour of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane is a must for anyone interested in theatre design and history.
Also known as The Lane, this magnificent Grade I listed building is on London’s oldest theatre site in continuous use (the first theatre was constructed at this location in the 1600s and the present structure was built in 1812). Some of theatre’s greatest actors have trodden the boards here (including Dan Leno, Henry Irving, Ivor Novello and Ginger Rogers) and it has hosted some of the biggest productions in British theatre, including My Fair Lady, 42nd Street and Miss Saigon.
It is famously haunted by The Man in Grey; if he’s seen before a show, it’s a sign of good luck for the actor or production.
The Theatre Royal explains: “Theatre Royal Drury Lane’s immersive theatre tours will take guests on a journey through nearly four centuries of theatre and royal history.
Amongst other seismic royal moments in this theatre history, The Lane was witness to an assassination attempt on King George III in 1800, and, after a long-standing feud with his son, the Prince Regent, in 1809 two separate entrances and Royal boxes were built to avoid any royal fisticuffs. Today, The Lane remains the only theatre in the world with two Royal boxes. As part of the recent restoration, and a nod to an intriguing Royal past, signage and seat covers to denote the “King’s” and “Prince’s” sides were reintroduced.
The Lane’s theatre tours will visit the King’s Gallery and the Royal Retiring Room and Secret Tunnels, which are otherwise out of bounds areas. While not Royal, as far as we know, who knows, one of Drury Lane’s famous ghosts may even appear…!
Guided tours run daily, except Tuesdays and last for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Priced at £22.50 per person.”
9 Hertford Street proudly has two connections to the theatre. The third building on the site (built in 1794) was designed by eminent architect Henry Holland who created Hertford Street just a few years earlier. Irish playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan, who owned the theatre between 1776 and 1809, resided next door to us at 10 Hertford Street.