Tom Hiddleston is breakdancing as pink confetti rains down all around; Hayley Atwell is raging against the idea of marriage, standing by a massive inflatable heart, and the soundtrack is thumping 90s clubland: director Jamie Lloyd’s hysterical and often wacky take on Shakespeare’s twisty tragi-comedy is the play you never realised you needed to see in 2025. Much Ado About Nothing’s run at Theatre Royal Drury Lane continues until 5 April 2025, so there’s still time to get seats; for there’s more than one glorious reason it has been a sell-out success.
The euphoric club anthems, big-name stars in the lead roles of Benedick (Hiddleston) and Beatrice (Atwell), and hyper-spangly costumes by Soutra Gilmour are appealing; but more so are the contemporary one-liners, the relatable humour and high energy which keep the audiences coming, with the theatre packed to the rafters.
At Theatre Royal, however, the drama is not only confined to the stage. The Grade I-listed theatre—commonly known as The Lane—dates back some 362 years. It has burnt down twice, been rebuilt four times and was struck by a bomb during the Blitz. Every reigning British monarch since the Restoration has visited The Lane, and it’s here that God Save The King was first performed in 1745,
The current building might date back to 1812, but its recent £60 million renovation still feels fresh. Now part of LW Theatres (a company owned by composer and impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber), it reopened in 2021 after a major two year refurbishment project, turning it, in the words of Webber, into “a versatile, vibrant heart of the artistic soul of Covent Garden.”
Restoring the theatre to its former splendor, as conceived by architect Benjamin Wyatt in 1812, the renovation included hand-brushed gold leaf finishing, a spectacular restored rotunda and the reinstatement of Wyatt’s ‘front of house’ rooms. The theatre also boasts a rich art collection, including eight paintings Webber commissioned from the Russian artist Maria Kreyn based on Shakespearean plays (two are hung at the bottom of the two staircases from the Rotunda.) Above all Webber’s dream was to turn the theatre into a 360° entertainment offering, encouraging visitors to rethink their traditional theatre experience at what is the oldest theatre site in continuous use in the world. As well as a world-class performance venue, it now offers distinct food, drink, and cultural offerings, all set in Grade I-listed Georgian interiors.
At the 1920s-style Cecil Beaton Bar, for instance, you’ll find an inventive cocktail list inspired by Beaton’s life and work as a costume and set designer, photographer and artist. Cocktail connoisseur Tristan Stephenson’s menu includes the signature gin-based Eliza Doolittle and cognac-laced Cleopatra. The mirrored bar itself gives a nod to Beaton’s legendary costumes for My Fair Lady.
The Lane is also now the only theatre in the West End to offer a three-course culinary experience. Served in the historic Grand Saloon, it is the first time the space has opened for evening dining. Sat in the marble-lined Regency room, with twinkling chandeliers and a fine art collection, it is a grand start to any evening. The curated three-course menu celebrates seasonal British dishes with a contemporary twist: from the starter of smoked salmon with horseradish cream, capers and rye bread to the mains, which include Ox cheek bourguignon and a classic British fish pie. Make sure to leave room for dessert, which includes sticky toffee pudding and a Black Forest coupe.
Taking inspiration from its Regency period of history, the theatre also serves an indulgent afternoon tea in the Grand Saloon. It is served on custom-made fine bone china, featuring mythical characters designed by British interior designers Kit and Willow Kemp. The inventive menu includes madeleines topped with whipped English feta and pickled heritage carrot, Coronation chicken pie with caramelised onion chutney and a bite sized crumpet with smoked salmon and Earl Grey infused cream cheese. Warm scones with cream and homemade jam are also served alongside Rare Tea Company teas and Taittinger Champagne.
The restoration project’s intention, says Webber, was to make the oldest theatre in London a fitting centrepiece of Covent Garden. “Ever since Thomas Killigrew opened a theatre on this site more than 350 years ago, the Theatre Royal Drury Lane has been entertaining and inspiring audiences. The restoration complete, The Lane can take its place once again at the heart of entertainment in London and as one of theatre’s greatest stars reborn.”