Six hundred years of the Old Red Lion

Damien Devine, executive director, Old Red Lion Theatre, will take us on a journey of the Red Lion’s history from its early days, through Tudor and Stuart periods, Georgian and Victorian times to today.

The Old Red Lion in St John Street near the Angel is thought to be one of the oldest pubs in London. The history of the pub, which has be rebuilt several times, has been traced back to 1415.

Its patrons include artist William Hogarth, who included the Red Lion in one of his paintings, and Scottish poet and playwright James Thomson, who wrote the lyrics to Rule Britannia. John Paine, author of The Rights of Man, was also a customer. The pub was also linked to radical left-wing politics over a long period, as well as to the fair trade movement.

The pub’s theatrical history dates back to the late 19th century, when Dickerson and North became landlords. Charles and Amelia Dickerson (née North) had a been involved in a theatre in the East End – and were prosecuted for staging a play without a licence. The current theatre, opened nearly 40 years ago, has hosted over 1,000 productions and live performances and has transferred work off-Broadway and to the West End.