Sunday, 17 April 2011

Oliver theatre for the Soroptimist International of the Coos Bay Area

Little Theatre Oliver will present a special performance for the Soroptimist International of the Coos Bay Area on 5th May Thrusday

For $20 guests before the perform hors d'oeuvres, wine and punch will be served. Party starts at 6 pm, curtain will rises at 7 pm.

Like every year this year even Coos Bay Club about local scholarships and awards out $ 5,000 grants.

Tickets are available to sale from individual Soroptimists or at the Homebuilders Association of Southwestern Oregon in Pony Village Mall, 1611 Virginia Ave., North Bend; at the Coos Bay Visitor Information Center, Coos Bay; or by calling 541-297-6003.

Wednesday, 30 March 2011

Oliver star John Paul Pare to solve the problem of production

As for training local community production wrapped up the "Oliver! The Musical," John Paul Pare, to deal with the problem of production, answer questions.

Were you pleased with being offered the role of Bill Sykes?

Originally I wanted Fagin, but when Richard Williams was cast I was in agreement. Bill Sykes has been a complete departure from what I normally portray. He is full of violence, pure evil and selfish tendencies fueled by the motivation to stay out of jail. I went deep into his back story to discover what his true objective in life is.

Why is Bill Sykes a violent person?

Survival of the fittest. In the play, even the name "Bill Sykes" incites fear. He uses his name as an introduction to the violence which he spreads.

How did Bill Sykes begin his journey to being a criminal?

The script clearly states that Bill Sykes was one of Fagin's pupils. At a very young age, he was taught to steal in order to be successful. Violence was the path for him. His numerous jail encounters increase his tendency to eliminate the adversary.

Do you consider Bill Sykes a figure of courage or cowardice?

Bill Sykes is a bully; he creates his enemies and builds walls around himself for protection. His courage tarnishes and ultimately is cowardice. In defense of Bill Sykes, any youth could become him based on early environmental conditions.

What is your opinion of the violence being depicted onstage?

You can't have a good drama without conflict. It (Oliver!) isn't a fairy tale; it's a depiction of the times when it was written.

How does Dickens' violence in "Oliver!" compare to the world today?

There is less violence in Oliver! than there is in any Oscar nominated film. Yes, there is domestic violence with Nancy but it is implied. Video games and modern entertainment are more violent than what this show implies. There is no blood. This cruelty is portrayed by thuggish behavior and the reaction Bill Sykes causes in people.

Have you ever experienced violence in your family that could be compared to what Dickens describes in "Oliver!" ?

No, I am the 9th son of a minister who has been happily married for 60 years. Never, in fact my oldest sister volunteers at a battered women's shelter and she would be horrified if she knew I was playing this role.

What is the message in "Oliver!" ?

Good always prevails. The true malevolent evil is conquered and the audience will feel that justice has been done. This is a story that will resonate with young and old alike. A classic worth every minute, I am very happy to be a part of this story and the message it sends out.

Friday, 25 February 2011

Londoners press to save 'Oliver Twist' workhouse

To save a crumbling brick building that may have inspired Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist." are being fight by a group of Londoners.

The novelist lived down the street from the former workhouse when he was commencing his writing career. Academics say the sights and sounds of poverty likely influenced his novel about a workhouse boy who falls into London's seamy underworld.

The building's owners want to tear it down and build new apartments, but protesters hope the government will order it protected.

Historian Nick Black says it's important that London keep "some vestiges of the 18th-century world of the impoverished and the poor" and not just preserve the homes of the rich.

The U.K.'s Department for Culture, Media and Sport says it will make a decision by early March

Sunday, 6 February 2011

'Oliver' to be performed at Wartburg

The musical "Oliver!" on Feb. 10-12 at Wartburg College will be present by students and community members.

William Earl directed the play which features 60 performers, 30 from the Wartburg Players and the college's music department.

Waverly-Shell Rock School District and St. Paul's Lutheran School will be represent by another 30 students.

The musical will be performed nightly at 7:30 p.m. in Neumann Auditorium.

Tickets are available in advance at the information center in the Saemann Student Center. Tickets will also be sold at the door.

Thursday, 9 December 2010

Windermere School's Oliver musical opens tonight

With the opening night of Oliver,a MUSICAL extravaganza hits Windermere School this evening, the senior school’s Christmas theatre production.

Female students Phoebe Gillard and Evie Plumb played,Oliver and the Artful Dodger,joined on stage by over 50 student cast members performing the original 1960s script still used in the West End.

To bring a real energy to musical favourites Food Glorious Food the school’s orchestra will play live during the performance.

Head of music and production director Les Williams said: “It’s a great family production that everyone will enjoy. The students are really fired up for the opening night. We’re using the original script by Lionel Bart and had to buy the rights to perform it so it’s certainly one of our bigger productions.”

Fagin will be played by Year 13 pupil Ryan Matthews, Bill Sykes by Year 13’s Matthew Jarvis and Nancy will be played by Jennifer Slack in Year 12.

The musical starts at 7pm and there will be performances tomorrow Friday December 10 and Saturday December 11 at the school’s Crampton Hall, Windermere.

Monday, 29 November 2010

Oliver comes to the stage

Rendition of Lionel Bart's classic musical has been introduced once again by Etobicoke Musical Production and they also managed to bring the audience back to their feet.

It has been the quality of Oliver that they always enthusiast their fans by putting lot of energy to their performance.From elaborate sets to the enthusiastic cast, whether or not you like their musical selection or not, this remains a factor that sets them apart from other groups.

The remaining performances of Oliver! are Nov. 26, 27 and December 3, 8 p.m. with 2 p.m. matinees on Nov. 28 and Dec. 4, Burnhamthorpe auditorium, 500 The East Mall.

Thursday, 18 November 2010

Oliver Twist at Frontier Middle School

The musical version of Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist" would have had the author himself humming and tapping his toes to "Consider Yourself" and "Food Glorious Food."

In the Frontier Middle School auditorium on Thursday, Nov. 18 and Friday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m.,The Frontier Middle School Drama and Music Club will present "Oliver!.

Tickets may be obtained from cast members and at the door for a donation of $3.00.

Cast members include Matthew Smardz as "Oliver", Helen Gemberling as "Nancy", Isaac Gadikian as "Fagin" and Anthony Tojek as "Bill Sykes." Alexis Kicinski will portray the "Artful Dodger"and the part of "Bet" will be played by Ali Gates.

The cast, staff and crew hope that you will join them for the production of
and "consider yourself one of us!"

Monday, 8 November 2010

'Oliver!' opening followed by reception

On past Thursday,A special opening night reception for the Rotary Club of Batavia’s 62nd production. After the reception “Oliver!,” this year’s musical was begun about 10 p.m. Cast and crew were expected to be in attendance.

The reception catering was looked after by .D & R Depot of Le Roy.Five Star Bank was the reception’s sponsor.

A selection of desserts was available along with light refershments, beer, wine, soda, coffee

What actually the "Oliver" is? the story of an orphan boy who runs away from his orphanage and hooks up with a group of boys trained to be pickpockets by an elderly mentor,“Oliver!” is based on Charles Dickens’ novel “Oliver Twist".

Jordan McNees of Brockport had been cast in the title role.Patrick D. Burk was directing the show from the music, books and lyrics by Lionel Bart.

Tuesday, 26 October 2010

last month at Valley Parade




"It's a shame because I think they've enjoyed it. They have both done some good things for us and I think they would have got better if they'd stayed longer."
Belsonic at Custom House Square in the city centre will also feature veteran Welsh rockers Stereophonics.
Brown and Gill spent the last month at Valley Parade after being granted a temporary exit by their parent club. The duo excelled in League Two, with Gill playing in all five fixtures during that time and Brown making three appearances despite a knee injury.
"The crowd will vary: there's stuff for older audiences like the Stereophonics and Paul Weller, as well as pop acts like David Guetta and Florence."
Other headline acts include 2manydjs, Biffy Clyro and David Guetta.

Wednesday, 25 August 2010

at Burghley Oliver Townend to begin London Olympics


Oliver Townend to the Great Britney's will use the defence of his Burghley title to organize for the Olympic Games 2012.

Townend said, "For the London Olympics next year is going to be very important in terms of qualification. In Britain everyone's interests to organize well over the coming winter."

This is the greyness colour 12 months ago that took him to glory, when he also took the Badminton title and will be the only horse going to Burghley near Ellesmere from his yard in a year.

Townend added, "I was going to accept Ashdale Cruise Master as well decided against. This season he has done enough and it is far more important that he is rested. After all, he is going to be an important horse for me in the next couple of years."

Sunday, 15 August 2010

At Youth Games Britain's Oliver Golding beats top seed


At the first Youth Olympic Games to the Great Britain's Oliver Golding made a superb start to his campaign in Singapore with victory over the top seed.
The 16 year old Londoner beat the world number one and Wimbledon boys' champion Marton Fucsovics of Hungary 7-5 6-3 in round one.
Golding, at Wimblidon who reached the semi finals, is recently 30th in the junior world rankings.
Golding said, "It's one of the best feelings I've had in my life".
"It's only the first match though and I've got four more to win if I want to get that gold medal, which would be unreal.
"My game I tried to play and focus on what I do best. I felt like if I did that well I would stand a great opportunity of winning and that's what I did.
"I feel good; the last couple of months have been absolutely brilliant for me so I just want to keep that going.
"Winning with an ace was exactly what I wanted to do. I think I've got a nice opportunity of winning the gold medal if I take each game as it comes and carry on playing like I did tonight."
In the second round Golding will play either Galeano of Paraguay or Colella of Italy.
Team GB has 39 athletes competing in 16 Olympic sports at the Games.

Friday, 2 July 2010

Oliver: Oliver Luck starts tenure as WVU's AD


In Morgantown Oliver Luck is back and looking for his first project.

The former West Virginia University quarterback took over as the school's athletic director on Thursday.

Luck is replacing long serving AD Ed Pastilong, who will stay on as athletic director emeritus through 2012.

The Ohio native says WVU's athletics program is in pretty nice shape and there are no looming catastrophes to deal with.

For the foreseeable future, Luck says he will gather information and try to identify issues that will need his attention.

At this point, he says he does not know what those issues will be.

Tuesday, 6 April 2010

'Oliver' is ready to take to the stage



KILKENNY Musical Society's 2010 production Oliver opens on Easter Sunday night for a week-long run at the Watergate Theatre. Rehearsals have been underway for over four months and the cast of almost 100 are now putting the final touches to what is sure to be a magnificent production.

“Please Sir, I want some more....” Oliver’s innocent request at the start of the show lands him in trouble and sets him on his famous adventure. Based on Charles Dickens’ novel Oliver Twist, the musical first opened in London in 1960 and has since enjoyed worldwide popularity. Full of gloriously rousing songs and a compelling storyline, Oliver promises to be one of the Society’s finest productions in its 37-year history.

Wednesday, 24 February 2010

Hollywood names up for Olivier theatre awards

Anderson and Weisz are contesting the best actress category for their turns in A Doll's House and A Streetcar Named Desire respectively, and are up against Imelda Staunton (Entertaining Mr Sloane), Juliet Stevenson (Duet For One) and Lorraine Burroughs (The Mountaintop).
Knightley was nominated for a best supporting actress award for The Misanthrope, her West End debut.
In the best actor category, Law is shortlisted for his portrayal of the title role of Shakespeare's Hamlet, while James McAvoy, also best known for his films, is nominated for Three Days of Rain.
With six nominations apiece are Lucy Prebble's Enron, about the collapsed U.S. energy trading company, and Jerusalem, Jez Butterworth's portrayal of less-than-idyllic life in rural England.
The Royal Court Theater garnered the most nominations with 15, followed by the Donmar with 10 and the National Theater with nine.
London's West End enjoyed a bumper 2009, with attendances rising 5.5 percent to 14.3 million and revenues 7.6 percent higher than 2008 at 505 million pounds ($790 million).
Following is a list of the main categories for the 2010 Laurence Olivier Awards, to be handed out in London on March 21.
Best Actress
- Gillian Anderson/A Doll's House
- Lorraine Burroughs/The Mountaintop
- Imelda Staunton/Entertaining Mr Sloane
- Juliet Stevenson/Duet For One
- Rachel Weisz/A Streetcar Named Desire
Best Actor
- James Earl Jones/Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
- Jude Law/Hamlet
- James McAvoy/Three Days of Rain
- Mark Rylance/Jerusalem
- Ken Stott/A View From the Bridge
- Samuel West/Enron
Best Supporting Actress
- Hayley Atwell/A View From the Bridge
- Michelle Dockery/Burned By the Sun
- Alexandra Gilbreath/Twelfth Night
- Keira Knightley/The Misanthrope
- Rachael Stirling/The Priory
- Ruth Wilson/A Streetcar Named Desire
Best Supporting Actor
- Mackenzie Crook/Jerusalem
- Rory Kinnear/Burned By the Sun
- Tim Pigott-Smith/Enron
- Eddie Redmayne/Red
Best Director
- Rupert Goold/Enron
- Michael Grandage/Hamlet
- Lindsay Posner/A View From the Bridge
- Ian Rickson/Jerusalem
- Bijan Sheibani/Our Class
Best New Play
- Enron by Lucy Prebble
- Jerusalem by Jez Butterworth
- The Mountaintop by Katori Hall
- Red by John Logan

Saturday, 7 November 2009

Oliver chosen in D-League draft, Ex-UCD star


The Idaho Stampede selected former UC Davis standout Vince Oliver in the eighth and final round of Thursday's NBA Development League draft.
Oliver finished his four year UCD career last season as the school's third leading scorer all time. He led the Aggies with 15.4 points per game in 2008-09 and became the first UCD player to be named first team All Big West Conference.
Final NBA Development League rosters will set at 10 by Nov. 25, and the league will begin its ninth season on Nov. 27. The Stampede is located in Boise.
Neto leads Fullerton over UCD
Freshman outside hitter Kayla Neto, The Bee's 2008 Player of the Year in volleyball from Christian Brothers, posted 19 kills en route to a .400 hitting average to lead host Cal State Fullerton (14-10, 5-6 Big West Conference) to a 25-19, 25-22, 21-25, 28-26 victory over UC Davis (18-8, 9-3).
• Sacramento State's hopes of reaching the Big Sky Conference tournament for the 14th consecutive year suffered a blow when the host Hornets (15-12, 5-6) lost to Weber State (6-19, 4-9) 23-25, 15-25, 25-23, 25-16, 15-10.
Downing falls in world tennis
Nicole Hesse-Cazaux of France defeated Martha Downing of Shingle Springs 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 at No. 1 singles in the women's 60-and-over division of the International Tennis Federation Super-Seniors World Team Championships in Perth, Australia.
France, the top seed and defending champion, beat the United States 3-0 and will play second-seeded Australia today for the title. The Americans finished third in the 11-team tournament.
• UC Davis freshman George Horowitz won in singles and doubles on the rain-shortened first day of the Gael Classic in Moraga.
General
The UC Davis swimming and diving teams split against Denver at Schaal Aquatics Center. The men (3-0) won 160-135, but the women (2-2) fell 191-109. Adam Borchard, Alex Daneke, Jimmy Fong, Scott Weltz and Ashley Chandler each had two individual victories for the Aggies.
• The UCD field hockey team lost to Davidson 2-1 in overtime in a NorPac Tournament consolation game at Stanford. Lydia Brambila scored her first career goal as the Aggies (3-15) ended their inaugural Division I season.

Friday, 30 October 2009

In Oliver Street fire, Pets die


Fort Wayne firefighters battled a house fire Thursday night at 2522 Oliver St.
No one was home at the time, but several pets were removed. Two of them died.
Flames heavily damaged the kitchen and attic. The entire structure had heavy smoke damage.
Officials determined unattended cooking to be the cause, and the fire was ruled accidental. No firefighters were injured.

Saturday, 24 October 2009

As Apache Cat pounces for Oliver, Hong Kong trip looms


MELBOURNE'S champion sprinter Apache Cat all but booked himself another trip to Hong Kong for the international meeting in December after he pounced late to claim yesterday's Schweppes Stakes at Moonee Valley.
The Greg Eurell trained star gained a rails run in the straight under the guidance of top jockey Damien Oliver to run down stablemate Mic Mac ($6.50) and score by a short neck.
''They made him earn it today,'' Eurell said of Apache Cat [$3.40], which contested the Hong Kong Sprint last year and came in third behind Inspiration.
''It's a big thrill, very rewarding to get him here and winning given he isn't getting any younger. (Age) is starting to catch up with him.''
Apache Cat is now a seven year old but Eurell said he was going ''as good as ever'' and he would miss the pair 1 Patinack Farm Classic to instead head to Hong Kong, where the plan is to run in the International Sprint Trial at Sha Tin on November 22 on the way to a start in the Hong Kong Sprint on December 13.
''The plan is a bit new to us,'' Eurell admitted. ''Last year they didn't have the lead up in Hong Kong open to overseas horses but now it is so I'd say we'd go there. Mic Mac will stay here and go to the Patinack Farm Classic (on November 7 at Flemington) and then he'll go for a spell. He'll be some horse next year.''
Speedster Lucky Secret led early in the Schweppes only to be pressured by the Gai Waterhouse trained Bank Robber ($16), which went to the lead and held on well to finish third.
Eurell said Oliver's ride, when holding his ground behind the lead on the rail and banking on the run coming, was more good management than luck for ''he is one of the best [jockeys] we've seen in Australia, and he'll be the best we'll see in a long time''.
Oliver told Eurell Apache Cat was ''a legend, isn't he'' while adding ''he's a star'' as the Moonee Valley crowd applauded their favourite baldy faced sprinter.
''He is a tough warhorse,'' Eurell said. ''Leading into today he was in very, very good order. And he has come out and defeated a very good field of sprinters. We have to be a bit careful about what we do with these days, there is no hiding the fact that we have to hold him together a bit to get him to the races. But he just keeps coming out and doing it against the best opposition there is on offer.''

Friday, 9 October 2009

Griff Rhys Jones to be the next star ‘Fagin’ in Cameron Mackintosh’s triumphant new producstion of OLIVER! at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane from 14 Dec

Cameron Mackintosh is delighted to announce that award-winning actor Griff Rhys Jones will be the next star after Omid Djalili to play ‘Fagin’ in the triumphant new production of Lionel Bart’s smash hit musical OLIVER! at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane from Monday 14 December 2009 until June 2010.

Cameron Mackintosh said “I’ve wanted to work with Griff for years so I’m delighted that the marvellous role of ‘Fagin’ has tempted him back to the stage this Christmas. Griff is an actor with an amazing array of successful talents, all of which will undoubtedly be poured into his unique and entertaining interpretation of one of Dickens’ most famous and beloved creations. I can’t wait!”

Griff is truly one of Britain’s most loved, versatile and prolific performers. Propelled to stardom in “Not The Nine O’Clock News” and “Alas Smith and Jones”, he won a double Olivier Award for his roles in “Charley’s Aunt” and “An Absolute Turkey”, starred in “Front Page” at the Donmar Warehouse and was an unforgettable Toad in the National Theatre’s “Wind In The Willows”. On TV he did three acclaimed series of “Three Men In A Boat”, (and will shortly be doing a fourth), urged the British public to vote for saving marvellous British buildings in “Restoration” and is currently enjoying huge success on BBC1’s “Rivers With Griff Rhys Jones”. He was last seen on stage in 2001 in “A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum” as part of the Covent Garden Festival. As a producer, he and Mel Smith set up one of Britain’s most successful productions companies, Talkback Productions. He was almost single-handedly responsible for the wonderful restoration of the Hackney Empire.

Jodie Prenger continues her enormous success as ‘Nancy’ and has now extended her run until March next year. In the role of ‘Bill Sikes’, Steve Hartley returns to the part on 15th September having enjoyed a huge success in the original run of OLIVER! at the Palladium in the mid-1990’s.

This production of OLIVER! opened at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 14 January to rave reviews with the biggest advance sales of all time for a West End show. The cost of this enormous production was recouped in only 18 weeks and continues to be the highest grossing show in London, playing to packed houses. Featuring a cast and orchestra of over one hundred, 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.

OLIVER! is directed by Rupert Goold, along with co-director and choreographer Matthew Bourne. Production design is by Anthony Ward; lighting design by Paule Constable and sound is by Paul Groothuis, with orchestrations by William D Brohn.

This production is produced in association with the Southbrook Group Limited.
OLIVER! is currently booking through to 27 February 2010. Evening performances are Monday – Saturdays at 7.30pm, with matinees on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2.30pm. Tickets are priced from £17.50 - £65 and are available from the Theatre Royal Drury Lane Box Office on 44 (0) 207 403 0962 and online at The Online Ticket Shop.

Monday, 21 September 2009

Oliver! at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane

Rowan Atkinson on playing Fagin I The producer of Oliver! on his West End life

Mr Bean as Dickens’s gaunt, beaky Fagin? Rowan Atkinson as the sly old monster who ends up hideously squawking as he’s hauled to execution? That sounds less likely casting than Griff Rhys Jones or Mel Smith as the withered Scrooge. But then Lionel Bart’s Fagin isn’t quite Dickens’s Fagin. Indeed, he lands up, not on the public gallows, but scuttling away into the London sunset, punished only by the loss of the jewels he has (presciently, you might now think) regarded as a sound alternative to an old-age pension.

So all credit to Atkinson for giving Fagin at least as much menace as Jonathan Pryce and Robert Lindsay, who were superlative in Sam Mendes’s revival of the musical 14 years ago. True, he gratuitously reassures the audience by giving them the odd reminder of his prime claim to fame. He stages a goofy, jokey battle between stolen pearls and his beloved tiara and he even cuddles an antique teddy. But, praise be, he then casually chucks the fluffy bear into a furnace and reverts to being what he unsentimentally is most of the time: not an old Bean but an infinitely creepy criminal with lank hair, a yellow face and a sinister, silvery glint in his eyes.

Related Links
Oliver! pulls in £15m before opening
I can’t say that Rupert Goold, who is credited as the director, does much to reinvent Mendes’s production as I recall it, but he certainly gets plenty of energy out of his cast. Things start as they mean to go on in the towering workhouse — iron stairs, bleak benches, a palpable stench of lovelessness — that is just one of Anthony Ward’s splendidly atmospheric sets. Scores of small grey boys drill, sit, even eat in military unison before Oliver makes his plea for a little more food, glorious food — and then they wildly, furiously, jubilantly riot.

The particular Oliver chosen to perform last night was Harry Stott, a gentle, likable boy who could maybe produce more fear when he’s asked to sleep with the coffins that belong to his boss — Julian Bleach, looking as if he’s slithered out of a crypt in Transylvania — and more rage when his dead mother is horribly insulted.

And did Jodie Prenger, who won the role of Nancy in one of those deplorably sadistic television contests, justify her choice? I must admit she did. Initially she struck me as parading, posturing, performing rather than acting, but she went on to prove herself a tough, coarse, credible presence with a big, robust voice — and that’s all that is needed.

Bart’s songs may be unsophisticated and the rhymes sometimes feeble (“where oh where is love, does it fall from skies above?”), but they’re so tuneful and put over such elan that last night’s audience rightly cheered Consider Yourself, You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two and several others. Moreover Matthew Bourne handles the thronging crowds with none of the cuteness that they so often attract from choreographers in musicals — though aren’t the bikes a bit anachronistic? — and Ward makes London a character in its own right: a looming St Pauls, swiftly moving and interlocking alleys, and a very Dickensian murk for Bill Sikes to run through.

Burn Gorman’s Sikes is a particular success, a pale, quiet figure who threatens more with his stillness than with his cudgel. There’s also a good, swaggering Dodger from Ross McCormack. And, yes, we end up with more of Dickens’s sentimentality than his horror. But that’s Bart for you, and his Oliver! remains as good and revivable as anything he wrote

Monday, 14 September 2009

Oliver ! History - Theatre Royal Drury Lane

The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane is a theatre in the West End area of London, officially located on Catherine Street, but assistance onto Drury Lane just to the east of Covent Garden.

A cockpit in that location was converted into a theatre during the time in power of James I. After the re-establishment of the monarchy in 1660, a fine new theatre was built to designs by Christopher Wren. Having been razed by fire on January 25, 1672, it was be successful by a larger and still more sophisticated building also designed by Wren, which housed two thousand spectators with the opening attended by Charles II on March 26, 1674.

The great English actor David Garrick supervised the theatre during the mid-eighteenth century, during which time he produced many plays, including most of Shakespeare's work.

By the end of the 18th century, the building was in need of updating, and was demolished in 1791. A third theatre was designed by Henry Holland and opened on March 12, 1794, lasting for only 15 years before burning down on February 24, 1809.

The present Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, designed by Benjamin Wyatt, opened on October 10, 1812 with a production of Hamlet. The interior has been substantially redesigned and overhauled many times since then: a contemporary sketch of it when it was new is shown on the right, seen from the point of view of the beau monde in the lower gallery. It is one of the West End's largest, and has been the setting for look and feel by Edmund Kean and Sarah Siddons, among others.

With a capability of 2,205, it has been home to many large productions over the years. It is currently presenting a revival of Mel Brooks' musical The Producers.

Previous productions
Pirates of Penzance (May 26, 1982 - October 29, 1983)
42nd Street (August 8, 1984 - January 7, 1989)
Miss Saigon (September 20, 1989 - October 30, 1999)
The Witches of Eastwick (July 18, 2000 - February 24, 2001)
My Fair Lady (July 21, 2001 - August 30, 2003)
Anything Goes (October 7, 2003 - August 28, 2004)
The Producers (November 9, 2004 - )