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
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
Hana wrote on 07 April 2010:
Hi Julia, I LOVE the Cat royal books, even though im only reading the 1st book but i still like it better than all the other books I've read. -Hana
stephanie wrote on 05 April 2010:
hey julia ilove your books! Did you know i only started to read books because of secret of the sirens. my friend recommended it so i thought i might read it. then i fell in love with your books cant wait till cat's cradle and the glass swallow comes out! when will they be coming out
See FAQs for publication dates. J
Elina wrote on 25 March 2010:
For what ages is this book series for? I am 12 going on 13 and I wondered would I enjoy this book. I have read most of your other books and loved them! I started Dargonfly this morning and finished it in 3½ hours!
It will be perfect for your age. J
Nora wrote on 25 March 2010:
when is cat's Cradel coming out or the others
See FAQs.
Rosyx wrote on 11 March 2010:
I think the diamond of Drury Lane is just fantastic, I just could not put it down....
Laura wrote on 07 March 2010:
I just started this book a few days ago and I've nearly finished it! I do have to say it was hard to get into, but now I feel like I've bonded with the characters and can't wait to read Cat Amongst the Pigeons! I might read the Dragonfly series afterwards... :P Frank fan!
Holly wrote on 04 March 2010:
Julia- I love all your books! I own all of them and I can't wait for the next Cat Royal one! Please hurry to get it printed! I am addicted to your books! I saw you in Southampton a year or two ago with my school and it's since then that I've loved them! I've read all of them and I can't choose my favourite! They're too good! I love all the Cat Royals- but I've just re-read the Companions quartet (for the millionth time) and I love them too. I'm addicted to Drangonfly as well! I love your books!
kate c wrote on 02 March 2010:
i hated this book it was soooooo boring!!!!! it took me ages for me to get through it cos it was it was sooo boring!!!!!!!!!! (Sorry you felt like that - I never finish books I don't like - perhaps you should try that rather than suffer? Julia)
Katie M wrote on 27 February 2010:
I thought The Dimond of Drury lane was brill!! especially the part when Cat got stuck up in the hot air baloon and Pedro had to rescue her it was sooo cool ! Someone bought it for me for my birthday and from then I haven't stopped reading the Cat Royal Adventures !! from Katie m
Catherine wrote on 23 February 2010:
Hi, I'm Catherine in real life but my mates call me cat (as sure as the devil's in london!) and in christmas 09 i was given a copy of *Cat O'Nine Tails* and enjoed everypage. Since tyen I have read every book I can find or ordered from you Cat Royal series and can only hope you continue in feeding my need for more Cat! By the way why does Cat not want to settle down with Syd if she loves him so much/ I know shes a handfull and needs freedom, but still?! LOve and hugs, Cat (There's love and love, isn't there? J)
Emily Dawn wrote on 19 January 2010:
I LOVE this series so much !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lerna wrote on 30 December 2009:
Dear Syd, why are you getting mad at Cat for the tattoo? She was asleep when she got it. She had had too much to drink and she fell asleep. It isn't her fault. (No Syd. Cat)
lerna wrote on 30 December 2009:
Dear Syd, why are you getting mad at Cat for the tattoo? She was asleep when she got it. She had had too much to drink and she fell asleep. It isn't her fault. (Syd IS NOT HERE!! Cat)
Rebekah wrote on 29 December 2009:
I have read dragonfly, cat among the pigeons and dimond of drury lane.
Sasha wrote on 15 December 2009:
Hi, i have just finnished the diamond of dury lane and am really looking forward to reading the second one. Your books are brilliant! But was just wondering how old is cat roughly? (See FAQS. J)
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