Dress Circle, the Covent Garden-based showbiz shop that specializes in everything to do with musicals (across the world, not just the West End) has suffered from a break-in and criminal damage.

According to one of the Dress Circle team, the Monmouth Street (near Seven Dials, Covent Garden) shop was broken into early on the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 13. Some goods were stolen, but the main problem was caused by a deliberately started fire in the basement that has caused considerable smoke damage.

The shop hopes to be back in business as soon as loss adjusters and police have finished their investigation. Dress Circle's website, with full details of stock and how to order, is at www.dresscircle.co.uk and the shop can be reached by e-mail (the phone is currently out of order due to the fire) at [email protected].

Regular London theatregoers, not to mention a large number of visiting Americans, love Dress Circle's atmosphere. It is a lively but relaxed place, easy to get to, and with a knowledgeable and helpful staff who are always a good source of information about up-and-coming musicals, who is in them and which ones to see.

—By Paul Webb Theatrenow