The Romany Rye is a melodramatic play, by George R. Sims, first produced in London in 1882 at the Princess's Theatre, produced by and starring Wilson Barrett. The play was staged following the hugely successful The Lights o' London by the same author and producer. Whilst it failed to gather the same positive critical reception, and did not reach the success of the predecessor, it still ran for 138 performances in London before setting out on a regional tour.
During the opening night of the play at the Theatre Royal, Exeter, scenery caught fire during the performance, causing the Exeter Theatre Royal fire, which remains the deadliest ever building fire and worst theatre disaster in the UK.