Theatre Royal Haymarket

History of the Theatre Royal Haymarket

There has been a theatre in this part of the Haymarket since 1720 - the first one being called The Little Theatre In the Haymarket. The theatre was granted a Royal patent in 1766. The present theatre, which was designed by John Nash and opened in 1821, was so designed so that the front Corinthian portico could be seen from St James Square. The auditorium was rebuilt twice - firstly in 1979 (reopening on 31 January 1880) when works included the enclosure of the stage in the first complete picture frame proscenium. More controversial was the abolition of the pit by the introduction of stalls seating which caused a small riot. The interior was again completely reconstructed 15 years later (reopening 2 January 1905) and it is the 1905 one that can be seen today. More alterations were made from 1939 to 1941 which included the construction of the large bar area under the stalls seating area.

In 1994 some £1.3 million was spent in a major refurbishment of the theatre. The 'Balcony' is to the rear of the 'Upper Circle'.

During the 1730's Henry Fielding produced a number of satires attacking both political parties and the Royal Family which so incensed the government of the day that censorship of plays by the Lord Chamberlain was introduced in 1737 - the act was not repealed until September 1968. See also The Comedy Theatre.

It was at this theatre that Lily Langtry made here debut in 1881. Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband and A Woman Of No Importance both premiered here. The theatre has a reputation for presenting good serious plays - and the list of actors and actresses who have appeared here over the years reads like a who's who of the British acting establishment.