| itch was the venue for Londons first playhouse way | | | | the Theatre Royal of Drury Lane was designed by |
| back in 1576 and with name of The Theatre, the | | | | the famous Christopher Wren and opened on the |
| start of a magical history of London and West End | | | | same site in 1674. The Royal survived for 120 years |
| Theatre was born. Before The Theatre at Shoreditch | | | | which was along time in those days and along with |
| plays and actments were performed at random | | | | other theatres that were built in the same locality |
| venues such as private homes, courtyards and inn | | | | such as Theatre Royal Covent Garden (known as |
| yards all across London. In 1597 and after the lease | | | | the the Royal Opera House) and the Haymarket the |
| had run out the owner of The Theatre, Richard | | | | West end theatres of London were evolved. |
| Burbage decided to up sticks and move the timbers | | | | David Garrick was the legendary manager of the |
| across the river Thames to build the first (of an | | | | Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. He arrived in London in |
| industrious three) Globe Theatres to the South Bank. | | | | 1737 as a wine seller but was soon to be |
| The famous Globe opened to the public in 1599 with | | | | mesmerised by the attraction of theatre. In 1741 he |
| Burbage pioneering the way with his own | | | | played the famous role of Shakespeares Richard III |
| performance company. (Burbage was to instantly to | | | | and over the next 20-30 years he had a massive |
| propel himself as the first of Londons great actor and | | | | impact on London theatre. His work is remembered |
| impressios. He also honours the famous claim to be | | | | today through the Garrick Club and the Garrick |
| the very first man to play the role of Hamlet, King | | | | Theatre. |
| Lear and Othello). | | | | The modern theatre scene in the West End was |
| It was not until 1663 that the first London West End | | | | largely influenced in the 19th century when many of |
| venue was opened, when the very first of many | | | | the beautiful theatre buildings that are still around |
| was built in Drury Lane. This famous old theatre | | | | today were built and all of a sudden theatre going |
| hosted the earliest West End stars such as Charles | | | | was the latest fashion trend of the middle and upper |
| Hart and Nell Gwyn until tragically, it was destroyed | | | | classes in London. Shaftesbury Avenue was created |
| by fire in 1672. With new found hunger for Theatres | | | | towards the end of 19th century and many theatres |
| it was not long before the residents of London had a | | | | were soon built on this focal point for London |
| new theatre to shout about. A second theatre called | | | | theatre. |