The
Theatre Royal, Haymarket (also known as
Haymarket Theatre or the
Little Theatre) is a
West End theatre in
the Haymarket in the
City of Westminster which dates back to 1720, making it the third-oldest London playhouse still in use.
Samuel Foote acquired the lease in 1747, and in 1766 he gained a
royal patent to play legitimate drama (meaning spoken drama, as opposed to opera, concerts or plays with music) in the summer months. The original building was a little further north in the same street. It has been at its current location since 1821, when it was redesigned by
John Nash. It is a
Grade I listed building, with a
seating capacity of 888. The freehold of the theatre is owned by the
Crown Estate.