playhouse in London, on Russell St., not far from Drury Lane. The original building, properly known as the Theatre Royal, was built under a royal patent in 1663 by the playwright Thomas Killigrew (1612–83) for his company, the King’s Servants. Two years later the actor Nell Gwyn, who was later the mistress of Charles II, made her debut at Drury Lane. After the theater was badly damaged by fire in 1672, a new one was built from designs by Sir Christopher Wren and opened in 1674. Between 1695 and 1746 the theater was involved in a constant struggle against financial difficulties, and its reputation suffered because of the superior offerings of rival playhouses. In 1746 management was assumed by the actor David Garrick; the following 30 years are considered the golden age of Drury Lane. After Garrick retired in 1776, the theater was managed by the playwright Richard Sheridan, who presented his own comedies and later brought to stardom the actor Sarah Siddons. A new theater was built in 1791, and it was replaced by the present structure in 1812, making it the oldest theater in England still in use. From 1814 to 1820 Drury Lane audiences saw the performances of Edmund Kean, who appeared in many of Shakespeare’s plays. Subsequently the theater was used for a variety of productions, including operas and pantomines. Since World War II, Drury Lane has become known as the London home of successful American musical comedies.