York's Theatre Royal stands just outside the Western edge of the walls and traces its roots back to the days when theaters outside of London were illegal. (The term Theatre Royal typically meant that the venue had a license to perform serious works; otherwise it was illegal to do more than comedy and farce.). A theater has been on this site since 1744. It sits atop part of the old St. Leonard Hospital some of whose 12th century remains we'll explore in another page. In fact, some of the old hospitals arches were incorporated in the interior (but not in this Victorian facade which was added in 1880). Under the stage is supposedly a well, dating to Roman times. If so, this beats the lake under the Paris Opera Garnier that inspired Phantom of the Opera.
The theater has its own repertory company but resorts to such ploys as hosting a touring company doing Sound-of-Music-sing-along's.