Frederick John D'Auban was an English dancer, choreographer and actor of the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Famous during his lifetime as the ballet-master at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, he is best remembered as the choreographer of many of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas.
Contemporary press caricature of D'Auban
The "Pas de Quatre" from Faust up to date (1888), one of many Gaiety burlesques choreographed by D'Auban
"In Sailing O'er Life's Ocean", a choreographed number from Ruddigore, Act I (1887)
D'Auban rehearsing W. H. Denny for Haddon Hall
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, commonly known as Drury Lane, is a West End theatre and Grade I listed building in Covent Garden, London, England. The building faces Catherine Street and backs onto Drury Lane. The present building, opened in 1812, is the most recent of four theatres that stood at the location since 1663, making it the oldest theatre site in London still in use. According to the author Peter Thomson, for its first two centuries, Drury Lane could "reasonably have claimed to be London's leading theatre". For most of that time, it was one of a handful of patent theatres, granted monopoly rights to the production of "legitimate" drama in London.
Exterior of venue during a production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Thomas Killigrew as he appeared in 1650
David Garrick, the theatre manager 1747–1776, is portrayed in the title role of Richard III in this painting by William Hogarth.
The interior of the third and largest theatre to stand at Drury Lane, c. 1808