Haymarket Theatre

The Theatre Royal, Haymarket (also known as Haymarket Theatre or the Little Theatre) is a West End theatre in the Haymarket in the City of Westminster which dates back to 1720, making it the third-oldest London playhouse still in use. Samuel Foote acquired the lease in 1747, and in 1766 he gained a royal patent to play legitimate drama (meaning spoken drama, as opposed to opera, concerts or plays with music) in the summer months. The original building was a little further north in the same street. It has been at its current location since 1821, when it was redesigned by John Nash. It is a Grade I listed building, with a seating capacity of 888. The freehold of the theatre is owned by the Crown Estate.

The Haymarket has been the site of a significant innovation in theatre. In 1873, it was the venue for the first scheduled matinée performance, establishing a custom soon followed in theatres everywhere. Its managers have included Benjamin Nottingham Webster, John Baldwin Buckstone, Squire Bancroft, Cyril Maude, Herbert Beerbohm Tree, and John Sleeper Clarke, brother-in-law of John Wilkes Booth, who quit America after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Famous actors who débuted at the theatre included Robert William Elliston (1774–1831) and John Liston (1776–1846).

Haymarket Theatre (Boston, Massachusetts)

The Haymarket Theatre (1796-1803) or Hay-Market Theatre was a theatre in late-18th century Boston, Massachusetts. Organized by Charles Stuart Powell, it occupied a large, wooden building "opposite the Mall on Common (later Tremont) Street, near Hatch's Tavern." In addition to dramatic plays, the theatre presented some 62 musical entertainments during its first 5 years. The Haymarket "was seldom used after 1800, and on March 3, 1803, it was offered for sale at auction on the condition that it be removed in 60 days."

Works performed

Haymarket Theatre (disambiguation)

Haymarket Theatre refers to several theatres, including:

Haymarket Theatre (Leicester)

The Haymarket Theatre is a theatre in Leicester, England, based in the Haymarket Shopping Centre on Belgrave Gate in Leicester city centre. The Leicester City Council purchased a 99-year lease of the Haymarket Theatre on behalf of the public on the 29th of September 1974. The Leicester Theatre Trust operated the theatre from this date then vacated in 2007 in favour of the new Curve Theatre, Leicester on Halford Street. Located at the front of the entrance to the Haymarket Theatre is the only major piece of abstract sculpture in the city centre.

The Haymarket Theatre was opened by Sir Ralph Richardson and the opening season started with The Recruiting Officer on the 17th October 1973, Economic Necessity on the 24th of October and Cabaret on the 21st of November. The last show on was Wizard of Oz starring Helena Blackman and Ceri Dupree in 2006.

Notable Performances

Oliver! in 1977 directed by Robin Midgley and featuring Roy Hudd.

Me and My Girl in 1984 directed by Mike Ockrent and featuring Robert Lindsay, Emma Thompson, and Frank Thornton.