Archaeologists ‘find London’s earliest theatre’

LONDON’S earliest playhouse may have been discovered at a housing redevelopment in Whitechapel, archaeologists have said.

The Red Lion was thought to be the first purpose-built theatre of the Elizabethan era but its location has long been disputed.

Timber structures, artefacts and buildings were found during excavations in Stepney Way, east London, last year.

Archaeologist Stephen White described it as an “extraordinary” discovery. The Red Lion is thought to have been built in about 1567 by John Brayne, ahead of his construction of The Theatre in Shoreditch, which he completed with James Burbage in 1576.

The site measures 12.3m (40ft) by 9.3m (31ft) and closely matches the dimensions mentioned in the lawsuits, experts said.

The excavations were carried out by Archaeology South-East, part of UCL’s Institute of Archaeology, before building work began at 85 Stepney Way.

Two beer cellars, beakers, bottles and tankards were discovered among the remains.