The world’s oldest theatre site in continuous use, the Theatre Royal Drury Lane has been at the heart of Covent Garden for more than 350 years. Audiences have flocked to the Lane to see the greatest stars of the day in spectacular productions ranging from Shakespeare to pantomime, from thrilling dramas to ground-breaking musicals. The present theatre was built in 1811, after a devastating fire destroyed the previous incarnation, and the Lane has now been restored to its original Georgian glory by Andrew and Madeleine Lloyd Webber. The world-class theatrical and performance space is today an entertainment and cultural destination alive throughout the day. This souvenir guide tells the story of the Lane from its bawdy beginnings in Restoration London to its newly restored elegance, unearthing the secrets of a theatre that has survived tragedy and fire, royal scandals, ghosts and even murder, while keeping audiences enthralled for centuries. AUTHOR: Based in York, Dr Pamela Hartshorne is a historian, project editor and author of non-fiction and fiction under a variety of pseudonyms. Andrew Lloyd Webber has composed the scores of some of the world’s most famous musicals. From Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1969) to Cinderella (2021), his work has been consistently seen on world stages. He is one of the select group of artists with ‘EGOT’ status, having received Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Awards. Lloyd Webber owns six London theatres, including the iconic London Palladium and Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Every penny made from his theatres is ploughed back into the buildings.
SELLING POINTS: . Brand new guide to the world’s oldest theatre site in continuous use . Published to mark the reopening of the theatre following the major renovation project which has restored the theatre’s Georgian glory . Tells the rich history of this great London theatre and its many famous personalities and productions . Foreword by Andrew Lloyd Webber 90 colour, 20 b/w illustrations