Saturday 14 November 2026
Few buildings in London have as much drama in their bricks as the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Standing on Catherine Street in Covent Garden, it is the oldest theatre site in London still in use, with a story stretching back to 1663, two royal boxes and a resident ghost. This winter it is home to the acclaimed Jesus Christ Superstar, starring Eurovision favourite Sam Ryder, and following a £60 million restoration it is as much a destination for afternoon tea and tours as it is for a night at the theatre. Here are five reasons to go.
1. Sam Ryder in Jesus Christ Superstar
The big draw right now is the award-winning Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of Jesus Christ Superstar, which transferred to Drury Lane after a sold-out summer season at the London Palladium. Sam Ryder makes his West End debut as Jesus, with Tyrone Huntley returning as Judas, Desmonda Cathabel as Mary Magdalene and David Thaxton as Pontius Pilate. The production is directed by Timothy Sheader, with choreography by Drew McOnie and design by Tom Scutt. A rotating line-up of guest stars plays King Herod, including Rob Brydon and Reece Shearsmith, with Simon Russell Beale taking the role from 7 to 12 December. It runs until 9 January 2027 before heading out on a UK tour.
2. On-Stage Tickets for £25
If you want to get closer to the action than ever, this is the show to do it. The production has released more than 7,000 on-stage standing tickets at £25 each for the Drury Lane run, putting audience members right in the middle of the rock opera. It’s a brilliant way to see one of the West End’s hottest shows without paying top prices, and a very different experience from a seat in the stalls. Standard tickets are also available, and the show is recommended for ages 10 and over, so it could work for older children and teenagers. With the run ending in early January, it would make a memorable Christmas treat or a festive night out with friends.
3. Almost 400 Years of Theatre History
The first theatre on this site opened in 1663 after a Royal Charter from King Charles II, making Drury Lane the world’s oldest theatre site in continuous use. That first playhouse burned down in 1672, a second building opened in 1674, and the current theatre, designed by Benjamin Wyatt, opened in 1812, making it the fourth on the spot. Over the centuries its stage has hosted shipwrecks, earthquakes, train crashes and even a helicopter landing. Landmark musicals including Oklahoma!, My Fair Lady, 42nd Street and Miss Saigon have played here, with Miss Saigon running for almost a decade to become its longest-running production. The theatre has been visited by every reigning monarch since the Restoration, which is why it has two royal boxes.
4. Meet the Man in Grey
Drury Lane is said to be one of the world’s most haunted theatres, and its most famous ghost is the Man in Grey. According to the theatre’s owners, LW Theatres, he appears during matinees wearing a long grey coat and a tricorn hat. Far from being feared, a sighting of one of the theatre’s ghosts is traditionally seen as a sign of good luck for an actor or a production. Ghost stories, royal scandal and centuries of backstage tales are all part of the theatre’s guided tours, which offer a peek behind the scenes of this Grade I listed building. If you love history, it’s a fascinating way to spend an hour in theatreland even when you’re not catching a show.
5. A £60 Million Restoration and an All-Day Destination
Between 2019 and 2021 the theatre underwent a three-year, £60 million restoration led by Andrew and Madeleine Lloyd Webber and LW Theatres, returning its Grade I listed Regency interiors to their 1812 glory. It reopened in July 2021 as an all-day destination for theatre, dining, drinks, afternoon tea, art and culture, so you can make a whole day of a visit. The auditorium seats around 2,000 people across four levels: the Stalls, Royal Circle, Grand Circle and Balcony. Look out for special one-off events too, including Broadway star Caissie Levy’s solo concert on Sunday 13 December. And for a pre-show drink, the Nell of Old Drury pub is right across the road.
Tickets and info
Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Catherine Street, London WC2B 5JF
Jesus Christ Superstar: until Saturday 9 January 2027
Age guidance: 10+
On-stage standing tickets: £25
Nearest Tube: Covent Garden or Holborn
Theatre tours and afternoon tea: see the LW Theatres website