Drury Lane Theatre, London

The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, affectionately known as Drury Lane, is a prominent West End theatre located in the heart of Covent Garden, London. This Grade I listed building stands as the most recent iteration of a series of four theatres that have graced this historic spot. The earliest of these theatres dates back to 1663, marking it as the oldest theatre site still in active use within London.

As noted by author Peter Thomson, Drury Lane could reasonably assert itself as London's premier theatre during its first two centuries of existence. It held the prestigious status of being one of the few patent theatres for the majority of that period, enjoying exclusive rights to stage "legitimate" drama in the city.

For Jane Austen, the theatre held a special place, not just as a leisure activity but as a wellspring of inspiration. The illustrious Drury Lane Theatre, located a short distance from her lodgings at 10 Henrietta Street, played a significant role in her work "Sense and Sensibility." In the theatre's lobby, a pivotal scene unfolds as John Willoughby learns of Marianne Dashwood's illness during an unexpected encounter with Sir John Middleton.