Theatres - Theatre Royal Drury Lane

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Oliver! ( Theatre Royal Drury Lane ) - Musical

NEVER BEFORE HAS A SHOW GIVEN MORE!Now in its 2nd record-breaking year, Oliver! is one of the most beloved British musicals, vividly bringing to life Dickens' timeless characters with its ever-popular story of the boy who asked for more.Russ Abbot, one of the most popular entertainers in Britain starts as Fagin alongside Kerry Ellis as Nancy and Steven Hartley as Bill Sikes. Russ is no stranger to Oliver! having played the role of Fagin at the Palladium, Theatre Royal and on tour!With a cast and orchestra of over 100, the sensational score is full of Lionel Bart's irresistible songs including Food Glorious Food, Consider Yourself, You've Got to Pick-a-Pocket or Two, I'd Do Anything, Oom Pah Pah, As Long As He Needs Me and many more. Row A and B in the Balcony are restricted view by a handrail. Rows U to ZZ in the Stalls may have an obscured view due to the Dress Circle overhang. Please Note: Babies and toddlers are not generally admitted into the theatre. Children must be able to sit, unaided, in their own seat and be attentive to the performance so as not to distract other paying members of the audience. As a GENERAL guideline an age of 5+ is recommended - other age restrictions such as Parental Guidance may also apply with regards to the content of the production.

Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Theatre Royal
Catherine Street WC2B 5JF

Nearest Tube: Covent Garden
Nearest Bus Stop: 1, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, 26, 29, 59, 68, 76, 77A, 91, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 243, 341, 521, RVI
Nearest Train Station: Charing Cross
Nearest Parking: Charing Cross

This theatre has the longest continuous theatrical traditional in the UK and is one of the most important theatres in the world.

The first theatre on this site was built in 1663 and was subsequently destroyed by fire in 1672. The second theatre here was built in 1674 and was then demolished in 1791. This was followed by the third theatre which was built in 1794 but was then destroyed by fire in 1804. The fourth and current theatre was built in 1812, the shell and foyers date from this time while the portico was added in 1820 and the impressive side colonnade was added in 1831. The present auditorium dates from 1922 when it was remodelled. The huge stage is 24 metres deep and there are extensive back stage areas, well suited to the mega musicals that this theatre has become synominous with since 1925.

This theatre has virtually always presented 'legit' theatre, one exception was in 1915 when the theatre was given over to showing two films, D W Griffiths' "The Birth of a Nation" and "Intolerance".

The list of musicals and operettas presented here include "Rose Marie" which opened in 1925 and run for over 2 years. Noel Coward's "Cavalcade" - which featured a cast and crew of 300 and over 100 extras, also had a successful and profitable run of over a year. From the mid 30's to mid 40's the theatre became associated with the work of Ivor Novello whose "Glamorous Nights", "Careless Rapture", "Crest of the Wave" and "The Dancing Years" were all presented here.

Following the Second World War, the theatre enjoyed long runs with "Oklahoma!" (1,375 performances), "Carousel", "South Pacific", "The King and I", "My Fair Lady" (2,281 performances), "A Chorus Line" and "42nd Street" which was followed by the current production of "Miss Saigon" which opened 20 September 1989 and became this theatres longest running show in December 1994.