Stamford Arts Centre

• Theatre ID
  406
• Built / Converted
  1768
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Arts Centre (theatre and arts centre)
• Address
  27 St Mary’s Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 2DL, England
• Website
  • http://www.stamfordartscentre.com

Details

Now part of an Arts complex of which the theatre is the right-hand element. Built in 1768, only the original shell and ashlar façe remain as a consequence of the interior being stripped out in 1871 and a further remodelling in 1978 to provide the present interior. The façe is a rare and valuable surviving example of the front of a Georgian playhouse. It is of two storeys and five bays under a continuous bracketed cornice and straight parapet. There is a large pedimented central doorway with an arched window over and two small side doorways. The 1978 works provided a theatre for amateur use and occasional professional tours. Repeated pleas for an authentic reconstruction were rejected on the assumption that insufficient evidence remained. The present interior bears no resemblance whatsoever to a Georgian playhouse. However, the evidence still extant in the 1970s and the lesson learned at Richmond, Yorks, and King’s Lynn would have made restoration possible. A description of the theatre as it existed before 1978 may be found in the RCHM volume for the Town of Stamford, 1977.

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• Other names
  Theatre, Stamford Theatre
• Events
  • 1768 Design/Construction:
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1848 Alteration: extensive alterations
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1853 Alteration: auditorium altered (possibly as a concert hall)
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1871 Alteration: converted to gentlemen’s club
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1972 Alteration: converted to arts centre
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1978 Alteration: new theatre opened
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1992 Alteration: foyer altered and provision made for film projection
    • Borough Architect’s Dept - Architect
  • 1768 Owner/Management: Marquis of Exeter, owner; Jeremy Whitely & William Clark, lessees
  • Owner/Management: Manley, lessee and manager
  • 1846 Owner/Management: Thomas Robertson, lessee & manager
  • 1853 Owner/Management: Cople (or Caple),lessee & manager
  • 1863 Owner/Management: E L Edwards, lessee & manager
  • 1993 Owner/Management: South Kesteven District Council, lessees
  • 1993 Owner/Management: Burghley Estate, owners
• Capacities
  • Later: 1978/91: 170
  • Current: 166
• Listings
  • Grade II* - 22.5.54
• Stage type
  • Pros flat
• Dimensions
  • Building dimensions: 1846: 92ft x 37ft 1993: 37ft 6in
  • Stage dimensions: Depth: 21ft Width SL: 16ft 9.5in SR: 16ft 9.5in
  • Proscenium width: 27ft 5in x 14ft 4in high
  • Height to grid: 16ft 6in