The Diamond of Drury Lane
The Diamond of Drury Lane
Winner of the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize and the Nestle Children's Book Prize in 2006.
At the Theatre Royal in Drury-Lane, Covent Garden,
This present day, being 1st January, 1790,
Will be presented the COMEDY, of
The Diamond of Drury Lane
(A comedy written in five acts by Miss Cat Royal.)
Cat Royal, orphan, adventurer and ward of the Theatre Royal, lives among the most gifted actors and musicians of the age. She rubs shoulders with the highest in society, and plays in the gutter of Covent Garden with the lowest. We are pleased to present to you her story, a tale of one hidden diamond, two bare-knuckle boxers, and three dread enemies...
With a New Musical INTERLUDE
by Mr Pedro Hawkins, late of Africa.
To which will be added a farce, called
The Mogul’s Tale
In which a hot air balloon will land on stage.
Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. First Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s.
Places for the boxes to be had from Mr. Smith at the stage-door of the Theatre.
No Persons to be admitted behind the Scenes without permission, nor any Money to be returned after the Curtain is drawn up.
Vivat REX.
Messages
Miranda M wrote on 26 July 2010:
How old is Cat Royal. I know that in the book she doesn't know, but do you ever give her an age?
See FAQs.
Miranda M wrote on 25 July 2010:
I love this book. It had the perfect amount of adventure and narrow escapes anyone can ask for. i just starting reading ur books and i can't wait to get mt hands on Cat among the Pigeons.
Alexandra wrote on 15 July 2010:
Dear Julia, I went to the store and bought this book, I read it and fell in love with it! After a year I find out it's a series! I just wanted to ask you, what book did you like best out of all of your Cat Royal books? Thanks! ~Alex
Hmm, hard to say. I tend to like episodes - like Cat trashing the gentleman's club or dancing in Paris - rather than whole books. I like her fight with Syd on board the Courageous. J
Catherine Royal wrote on 12 July 2010:
i love my books i cant believe you choose the same name as mine. i loved diamond of drury lane im know reading Cat among the Pigeons!
Lulu wrote on 12 July 2010:
just want 2 say luv this book just like amelia
amelia wrote on 11 July 2010:
i love this book
Hannah wrote on 09 July 2010:
Mrs. Golding- I believe that this book was one of the best stories ever written by American, and English authors! I've read so many of your books (but some aren't published here yet) and I find it so amazing that you've thought of all of these entertaining, action packed, lovely books! I mean last month I was reading about Cat, and this month I was reading a book by you involving animals and mythology!:) Your ideas are so creative, and never bore me. I can NOT wait to read the rest of the novels you've written, and especially the rest of the cat royal books! Sadly not all of them are available here yet, and so I decided that I'll just have to go onto ebay to find black heart of jamaica because I'm so anxious to see where Cat's adventures will lead!! I hope that you have a very peaceful, enjoyable, and exciting summer! Sincerely- HANNAH
Thanks Hannah - I'm glad you enjoyed them. J
Molly wrote on 09 July 2010:
Hello Julia, I love all your Cat Royal book's and can't wait for the next one to come out!!! So exiting!!! Frank and Syd remind me of two of my brothers so much! It's so funny how they are so much alike!! Thank's !! Molly. xxx
Raeanne wrote on 05 July 2010:
I absolutely love Dragonfly and The Companions Quartet and I am going to read this series to because I have hear a lot of people say that it is their favorite series :)
Bugg wrote on 21 June 2010:
Julia, I live here in Utah, U.S. No one here that i know has heard of your books(it such a shame!). I am a HUGE reader and I saw your first Cat Royal book at the library and just picked it up. It took me about two days to finish it because I loved it so much! I just started the second one and I am VERY excited to read the rest! I would really like to know when the fifth one will be up for sale here. Please tell me?
Hi Thanks for your enthusiasm! I don't know yet (see FAQs). I hope the publishers will go ahead with it soon but they haven't committed (we are still working through the paperbacks of the others). Julia
Larissa wrote on 11 June 2010:
Hi Julia, I absolutely LOVE your books! I've only read the Cat Royal books and they are amazing. I'm on Den of Thieves now and it's so exciting; too hard to put down! :) They are now officially my favorite series of books and I know i will read them again and again. Thank you!
And thank you! J
Stephi wrote on 10 June 2010:
I love cat royal she is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Simone wrote on 07 June 2010:
totally.awesome. LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tianna wrote on 29 May 2010:
Hi Julia!! I realy hope that you don't stop writing books! Its like I can see it happening and im there while its happening. I think your a great authour!
Thanks.
sophie wrote on 15 May 2010:
Hi this is the best book ever you dont need a reason to read it!!! it is bril to read on holiday and i couldnt put it down
Maya wrote on 14 May 2010:
Hi, I just wanted to let you know that the Cat Royal books are my favorite series! I don't know what I would have done if I didn't find them on the libary's shelf. I know that this might sound greedy, but I keep this series to myself and not tell anyone about them because they are sooooo wonderful! ~ Maya (your favorite reader) P.S. I love Cat's attitude
Julia wrote on 11 May 2010:
Hello everyone. These three books were in the middle school library, I used to read the series through every single month. Now I'm in high-school and I still go down to the middle-school to borrow the books. Thank you so much for these wonderful adventures. You have inspired many of my tales and have helped me in many ways. -Julz
Monica wrote on 20 April 2010:
Hi! The Cat Royal series is now one of my favorite series and you are one of my favorite authors. I love the Cat Royal series as well as the Dragonfly book. Please keep writing them! They are amazing!
Sara wrote on 16 April 2010:
Hello, I just happened upon the site in search of the full list of 'Cat Royal' series so I could buy the second (having just required the third and having read the first, I thought it best to read them in order! but I'm rambling). I wasn't going to leave a message, though I do love the Cat stories, but I did want to mention that I'm of the 'upper' age group (I noticed a message or two wondering if they are 'of age' to read these books), being 30 I can say you are never too old in any capacity to read books. I don't think they have an age limit, I still read books I read in my childhood. I've thoroughly loved and enjoyed the first instalment of Cat's story and I am hoping to read your various other series' of books as well. I'm also loaning the books to my young cousin who already seems engrossed ten pages in, that's the fun about books for 'teens', we 'adults' get to read them and recommend them to younger people without being looked at like we are old fogies. You bring the world of old London and the life of the theatre to such vivid life in my mind, I love the inclusion of the old maps in the books and the original hardback covers (one of the things which first drew my attention to them - I NEEDED them on my bookcase!). I love Cat's world, both in the Theatre and on the streets and the way she carries the reader along in her adventure, introducing us to the many people who make up her life. Thank you so much for these stories, Cat Royal is a wonderful character.
Thanks for taking the time to write. I agree - no upper age lmits please! Read them if you like them is my motto. Julia
tash wrote on 13 April 2010:
My BFF Suggested this book like 2 years ago, but i dont know if i would still be the right age to read this... what do you think?
I hope my books can be enjoyed without an upper age limit. Why not give it a whirl and see if there's anything in it for you? J
Add your message