Theatre (Guildford)

• Theatre ID
  772
• Built / Converted
  1800
• Dates of use
  • 1800 - 1861: (possibly not continuously)
• Current state
  Demolished
• Current use
  demolished
• Address
  Market Street, Guildford, Surrey, England

Details

Henry Thornton (b. Ford), manager of a theatre circuit which included Andover, Reading, Newbury, Chichester, Croydon, Gosport and elsewhere, held a theatre licence in Guildford which enabled him to open a fit-up in the Session House in Market Street in April 1789. He built a permanent theatre next door in 1800. This was a standard circuit theatre with pit and gallery, dressing rooms under stage and a main entrance, scene door and stage door all in the plain brick street front. It was sold to a Capt Pearson in 1802. A number of well-known actors graced its stage. It was last used as a theatre in 1861, became a warehouse and was demolished in 1889.

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• Other names
  Market Street Theatre
• Events
  • 1800 - 1861 Use: (possibly not continuously)
  • 1800 Design/Construction:
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1800 Owner/Management: Henry Thornton, owner
  • 1802 Owner/Management: Capt Pearson
• Capacities
  • Original: 400
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed
• Dimensions
  • Building dimensions: 38ft x 63ft max (indenture of 1729)
• Unreliable anecdotes
  The recurring suggestion that a wall of the theatre was incorporated into the building now on the site is incorrect. The wall in question was part of the Green Market.