 Drury Lane, George Town, Penang
Drury Lane is a short, L-shaped lane in George Town, Penang. It connects Kuala Kangsar Road to Campbell Street, passing through the compound of New Theatre. In the early days, Drury Lane was the Bangsawan Street of George Town, a place where the locals come to view Bangsawan performances (or "nobility plays," so called for its storyline centering around the Malay aristocracy).
Colonial-period signboard of Drury Lane (24 November, 2008)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
The name Drury Lane is appropriately taken from Drury Lane, the main theatre street in London. The earlier stage was later replaced by the New Theatre was built in the Art Deco style fashionable in the early part of the 20th century. It was often rented out for Chinese operas until matinees became fashionable.
The popularity of theatres in Penang took a nosedive with the arrival of television, as people preferred to watch television at home, or even at a neighbour's house, than to pay for a theatre performance.
The New Theatre at Drury Lane is now converted into the Heaven Dance Club, and may continue to metamorphose according to changing taste and market demand.
Heaven Dance Club occupying the New Theatre (24 November, 2008)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Getting there
Take Rapid Penang bus 10, 11, 101, 103, 104, 201, 202, 203, U204, 206, 301 and 302 to Penang Road. From there, walk down Campbell Street until you arrive at Drury Lane on your left, after the junction with Kuala Kangsar Road.
In Other Words ...
Drury Lane was also called Sin Hee Tai, meaning New Theatre, in Hokkien.
Drury Lane Location Map
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