Chess the Musical in Concert will add an additional matinee performance to its chequerboard, on Tuesday 2 August, due to popular demand. The first announced date sold out in 7 days, so there will now be a total of three performances of the iconic production. Full casting is also announced for the production as listed below; Samantha Barks (Frozen, Les Misérables) as Florence, Hadley Fraser (2:22 A Ghost Story, City of Angels) as Anatoly, Joel Harper-Jackson as Freddie (Cock, Kinky Boots), … [Read more...]
Theatre Royal Drury Lane London Tickets, News & Reviews
As Frozen celebrates its first year on Broadway, Disney Theatrical Productions today announces the opening of a new production of the musical in London’s West End in Autumn 2020. With music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, and book by Jennifer Lee, Michael Grandage’s production, with set and costume designs by Christopher Oram, lighting design by Natasha Katz, and choreography by Rob Ashford, will reopen the newly refurbished Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
Frozen – produced by Disney Theatrical Productions under the direction of Thomas Schumacher - opened on Broadway in March 2018 and quickly established itself as the biggest new musical hit of its season, nominated for the Tony Award® for Best Musical. In addition to the opening in London, the musical has a North American tour planned for Autumn 2019, productions in Australia and Japan opening in 2020, and a further production for Hamburg in 2021.
LW Theatres is in the middle of a £60 million restoration project of Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The ambitious scheme not only encompasses the complete refurbishment of the magnificent 1812 Greek Revival ‘front of house’ designed by Benjamin Wyatt, but also the reconstruction of the stage facilities and dressing rooms, the creation of new bars and restaurant, plus the refashioning of the auditorium to play in both the traditional proscenium arch and in the round.
Frozen the Musical heads to Theatre Royal Drury Lane in 2020
Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Catherine Street, London, WC2B 5JF
Venue and Travel Information
Nearest Tube: Covent Garden
Tube Lines: Piccadilly
Directions from nearest tube: Turn right on Long Acre; turn right into Bow Street and after 100 metres it will be on your left in Russell Street/Catherine Street.
Railway Station: Charing Cross
Bus Numbers: (Aldwych) 6, 11, 13, 23, 59, 68, 87, 171, 172, 188, RV1, X68
Night Bus Numbers: (Aldwych) 6, 23, 188, N11, N13, N26, N47, N68, N87, N89, N155, N171, N551
Car Park: Drury Lane, Parker Street
Within Congestion Zone: Yes
Venue Facilities: Air conditioned, Bar, Disabled toilets, Infrared hearing loop, Toilets, Wheelchair accessible
Theatre Royal Drury Lane
The first theatre on the site of Drury Lane theatre was opened in 1663 as the Theatre Royal Brydges Street with an audience capacity of about 700. It was built by Thomas Killigrew who held one of only two charters granted by Charles II at his Restoration to the throne in 1662. (Theatres had been banned during Oliver Cromwell’s Commonwealth). The theatre survived the Great Fire of London in 1666 but burnt down in 1672 (in the days of wooden framed buildings and candles, fire was a perennial problem).
The second theatre, which opened in 1674, was much larger and could seat 2,000. The theatre struggled against stronger competition for a few years and was even forced to close, but in 1682 the Drury Lane company and their rivals joined forces under the management of Thomas Betterton. After a few successful years, the theatre again found itself in difficulty and it was not until the famous actor David Garrick took over the management in 1747 that the theatre’s fortunes began to rise. Garrick was succeeded in 1777 by the playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan.
In 1791 the theatre was again rebuilt and opened in 1794 with a seating capacity of 3,611. This lasted only 15 years and was burnt down in 1809. Sheridan could not afford to rebuild it, but the brewer Samuel Whitbread who was one of the shareholders raised £400,000 and the fourth theatre – still there today – opened in 1814.
Some of the most famous luminaries of British Theatre performed in the historic theatres on this site, including Nell Gwynne, Mrs Siddons, Garrick, Kean and Grimaldi. The theatre has hosted musicals including Rose Marie, Show Boat, My Fair Lady and most recently Oliver! Visitors to the Upper Circle during matinees, however, be warned the Theatre Royal has its own Phantom, the notorious Man in Grey, said to be the ghost of the man whose body was found in the walls of the Theatre Royal in 1840.
Disney’s Frozen will reopen the newly refurbished Theatre Royal Drury Lane
As Frozen celebrates its first year on Broadway, Disney Theatrical Productions today announces the opening of a new production of the musical in London’s West End in Autumn 2020. With music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, and book by Jennifer Lee, Michael Grandage’s production, with set and costume designs by Christopher Oram, lighting design by Natasha Katz, and choreography by Rob Ashford, will reopen the newly refurbished Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Frozen – produced … [Read more...]
Steph Parry to star as Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street – Theatre Royal Drury Lane
In the week that 42nd Street celebrates the 500th performance of its run, the producers have announced that Steph Parry is to now take the iconic role of Dorothy Brock in the show at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The actress shot to fame last week when she stepped up from understudy in one show to suddenly play the starring role in another musical playing down the road. Steph’s casting in the star role is a rare case of life imitating art - 42nd Street tells the story of a young actress being … [Read more...]
42nd Street Starring Lulu as Dorothy Brock | Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Lulu returns to London's West End after 30 years, joining the cast of 42nd Street, the dazzling and romantic homage to the world of musical theatre in the iconic role of ‘Dorothy Brock’. Lulu made her acting debut at the age of 16, starring alongside Sidney Poitier in the 1967 British drama film To Sir, With Love and taking the title song to Number One in the US for five weeks. Since that time she has been a popular figure as an actress, singer, songwriter and businesswoman. Lulu has worked … [Read more...]
42nd Street Review London Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Everyone heading off to drama or stage school has a dream. They all want to be a star. Now some may deny it and say they would just be happy with an established career but secretly every one of them wants that five-pointed gold star on their dressing room door. The best way to achieve that stardom may be to start in the chorus then work your way up to lead actor. But, for the hero of 42nd Street at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, there is a shortcut. 1933 and as the Great Depression really … [Read more...]
West End Reviews: 42nd Street – Theatre Royal Drury Lane
The intersection of 42nd Street and Broadway in Manhattan marks the epicentre of New York’s theatre district - customarily referred to as “Broadway”. There are 8 theatres on 42nd Street and any self-respecting blockbuster musical wants to or needs to, get an opening there if it’s going to succeed big-time. Thus when Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble (book), Harry Warren (music) and Al Dubin (lyrics) penned their “Broadway-based” musical in the early eighties, “42 Street” sat easily as their … [Read more...]
42nd Street is coming back to town!
Gower Champion’s original London production of this classic backstage musical hit the boards in 1984, and this time co-writer Mark Bramble is bringing his spectacular revival to the same theatre, Drury Lane’s Theatre Royal, opening 4th April (previewing in March) and all the indications are that this is going to be the theatrical event of the year - possibly of the decade. It features the old favourite songs like 'We're in the Money', 'Lullaby of Broadway', and, of course, '42nd Street', and … [Read more...]