Brief History of London and West End Theatre

Shoreditch was the venue for Londons first playhouse way back in 1576 and with name of The Theatre, the start of a magical history of London and West End Theatre was born. Before The Theatre at Shoreditch plays and actments were performed at random venues such as private homes, courtyards and inn yards all across London. In 1597 and after the lease had run out the owner of The Theatre, Richard Burbage decided to up sticks and move the timbers across the river Thames to build the first (of an industrious three) Globe Theatres to the South Bank.

The famous Globe opened to the public in 1599 with Burbage pioneering the way with his own performance company. (Burbage was to instantly to propel himself as the first of Londons great actor and impressios. He also honours the famous claim to be the very first man to play the role of Hamlet, King Lear and Othello).

It was not until 1663 that the first London West End venue was opened, when the very first of many was built in Drury Lane. This famous old theatre hosted the earliest West End stars such as Charles Hart and Nell Gwyn until tragically, it was destroyed by fire in 1672. With new found hunger for Theatres it was not long before the residents of London had a new theatre to shout about. A second theatre called the Theatre Royal of Drury Lane was designed by the famous Christopher Wren and opened on the same site in 1674. The Royal survived for 120 years which was along time in those days and along with other theatres that were built in the same locality such as Theatre Royal Covent Garden (known as the the Royal Opera House) and the Haymarket the West end theatres of London were evolved.

David Garrick was the legendary manager of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. He arrived in London in 1737 as a wine seller but was soon to be mesmerised by the attraction of theatre. In 1741 he played the famous role of Shakespeares Richard III and over the next 20-30 years he had a massive impact on London theatre. His work is remembered today through the Garrick Club and the Garrick Theatre.

The modern theatre scene in the West End was largely influenced in the 19th century when many of the beautiful theatre buildings that are still around today were built and all of a sudden theatre going was the latest fashion trend of the middle and upper classes in London. Shaftesbury Avenue was created towards the end of 19th century and many theatres were soon built on this focal point for London theatre.

Today London West End theatre is thriving and many stars of TV and film are now resorting to high profile roles in London and New York theatres. In 2008 the 21st century is set to receive its first new West End theatre when the Sondheim Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue is to open, being the first venue there since 1931.