Royal Opera House Covent Garden

All the theatrics

  • The first Punch and Judy puppet show was performed in Covent Garden in 1662, as documented in the diaries of Samuel Pepys. There is still a plaque to this day on the St Paul’s Church commemorating this moment.
  • Covent Garden is home to the oldest theatre in London. The oldest theatre in London is the Theatre Royal on Drury Lane which dates back to 1663. Rumour has it there is an underground tunnel so the stars of the show could swiftly get to the nearby pub.
  • Ever looked up when you’re standing on Floral Street and wonder what is that bridge between two buildings? The Bridge of Aspiration provides the dancers of the Royal Ballet School with a direct link to the Grade I listed Royal Opera House. A concertina of 23 square portals with glazed intervals is supported from an aluminium spine beam. These rotate in sequence for the skew in alignment, performing a quarter-turn overall along the length of the bridge.