 The current Theatre Royal on Drury Lane is the most recent of four incarnations , the first of which opened in 1663 , making it the oldest continuously used theatre in London . For much of its first two centuries , it was , along with the Royal Opera House , a patent theatre granted rights in London for the production of drama , and had a claim to be one of London 's leading theatres . The first theatre , known as " Theatre Royal , Bridges Street " , saw performances by Nell Gwyn and Charles Hart . After it was destroyed by fire in 1672 , English dramatist and theatre manager Thomas Killigrew constructed a larger theatre on the same spot , which opened in 1674 . The design is believed to have involved Christopher Wren , who may also have been involved in the similar Dorset Garden Theatre , though it is not certain Wren was involved in either building . Killigrew 's theatre lasted nearly 120 years , under leadership including Colley Cibber , David Garrick , and Richard Brinsley Sheridan . In 1791 , under Sheridan 's management , the building was demolished to make way for a larger theatre which opened in 1794 ; but that survived only 15 years , burning down in 1809 . The building that stands today opened in 1812 . It has been home to actors as diverse as Shakespearean actor Edmund Kean , child actress Clara Fisher , comedian Dan Leno , the comedy troupe Monty Python ( who recorded a concert album there ) , and musical composer and performer Ivor Novello . Since November 2008 the theatre has been owned by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and generally stages popular musical theatre . It is a Grade I listed building . 
