Rutland House

Rutland House on Aldersgate Street, near Charterhouse Square in the City of London, close to Smithfield Market, was leased by the playwright and impresario Sir William Davenant (1606–1668).

Soon the performances were advertised and semi-open to the public at a cost of 5 shillings a head, a figure that ensured that only persons of quality would be able to attend.

The Rutland House production also included England's first professional actress, Mrs. Coleman [1] and was later transferred to the Cockpit Theatre in Drury Lane.

After Davenant opened more conventional theatres, he continued to use Rutland House to preview new productions, to gauge audience reaction.

[3] The third Rutland House was built in 1734 by the architect James Gibbs for the dowager Duchess of Norfolk (born Maria Shireburn).