London Theatres: The Royal Court Theatre

One of the most influential London theatres is the Royal Court Theatre. Located in the Kensington and Chelsea borough of London, this is a non-commercial theatre that has two stages. It is an especially intimate theatre that has been home to some of the most influential playwrights in London.

The Royal Court Theatre was first built in 1870, and it was the home to premieres of various plays from W.S. Gilbert. The original building that housed the theatre was torn down in 1887 and a new one was built on Sloane Square in 1888. For the early part of the twentieth century the Theatre was used as a production area for plays by George Bernard Shaw, and it was used as a cinema for a period of time. After World War II the building was heavily damaged, and it would not reopen until 1952.

In 1956 the Theatre was home to a play that changed London theatre. The play was John Osborne's Look Back in Anger. The play, involving a love triangle and the pain of the ordeal, was notable in that it emphasized realism over escapism, something was not done in theatre as much before then. As a result this play is considered to be one that was a turning point in British drama in that it focused more on reality over fantasy.

Since Osborne's play debuted here various other playwrights have had their works performed here. Richard O'Brien's Rocky Horror Show premiered here in 1973, and it would become the basis of the legendary cult film the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Other playwrights to have been featured here include John Arden, Sarah Daniels, Martin Crimp, Jean-Paul Sartre, Samuel Beckett and Edward Bond.

There are two different theatres featured here. The Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, which features 380 seats, features more conventional plays, which the 85-seat Jerwood Theatre Upstairs is for more experimental works.

Plays are featured throughout the year at the Theatre, and like other London theatres there are various different features that are open beyond shows. The Royal Court Café Bar is open for lunch and dinner every day. Pastries, fair trade coffee and other meals are served here, and it is also a popular place for business commuters for lunch with its Wi-Fi service. A book store is also located at the theatre.

As with other London theaters tickets for events here can be ordered in various ways. Tickets can be ordered by phone at 020 7565 5000 or online at royalcourttheatre.com. It should be noted that with the small space and the popularity of these shows that tickets tend to go quickly, and although some additional matinees are added every now and then this is not always guaranteed. Tickets for most plays are around £10 to £25.

The Royal Court Theatre is one of the most unique London theatres. This theatre features two stages and has been home to various legends and is still home to all sorts of different plays and is a place to definitely visit while in London.