Theatre Royal, Covent Garden

Opera and ballet were performed at Covent Garden but as a sideline to the drama at the time of this drawing in 1822, something which dated from the royal patent granted to the theatre by Charles II in 1660. It burnt down in 1808 and was rebuilt almost immediately. Robert Smirke designed and built it in less than twelve months with a Greek Portico as the main feature of the Bow Street facade which was also ornamented with a frieze carved by the English sculptor John Flaxman. This frieze was all that survived the second fire in 1856 and was incorporated by E.M. Barry into the facade of the present Royal Opera. The building cost much more than the management had anticipated, more than £300,000 was spent on the construction and furnishing of the auditorium, necessitating an increase in the prices of tickets. This met with riots until the price was reduced.