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Georgian Theatre

1652

Built as Stockton’s tithe barn, the theatre conversion of 1766 was quite radical, raising the original sandstone walls in brickwork (a fact recorded by Winston in The Theatric Tourist, 1805). From 1874-1893 it was used by the Salvation Army and afterwards became a confectionery factory. Gabled with pantiled roof, approached at the south end from the cobbled passage called Green Dragon Yard. A lean-to structure at the southern end is relatively modern, dating from the 1980s. Adjoining is a cottage which was used as a drawing room, actors entering the theatre through a door at the stage end of the east wall. Internally, an uninterrupted volume with an open timber roof and no architectural features of note. The evidence of the Georgian theatre is now of an archaeological nature (theatre historian Richard Southern found traces of a former balcony). A ten month refurbishment completed in 2017 saw the 250 year old theatre combined with the grade II listed former Courtyard Hotel next door, which was purchased by the Council in 2013. A glass atrium now encloses an external staircase connecting the ground, first and second floors of the Courtyard Hotel building and forming the principle entrance to both buildings. It is constructed from curtain walling with two opposing mono pitched roofs. The redevelopment and addition of a second floor has allowed the Georgian Theatre to add a two storey foyer, kitchen, enlarged bar area, and new toilets. Standing capacity for the audience has increased from 200 to 300.

Built / Converted
1766
Dates of use
Current state
Extant
Current use
Music venue
Address
Green Dragon Yard, Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, TS18 1AT, England
Further details
Other names
Theatre , Theatre Royal , Stockton Theatre , Oxford Music Hall , Oxford Theatre of Varieties , Royal Concert Hall
Events
  • 1600 - 1699 Design/Construction: as a tithe barn
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1766 Alteration: converted to a theatre
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1766 Owner/Management: Thomas Bates
  • 1787 Owner/Management: Thomas Cawdell
  • 1798 Owner/Management: George Graham & James Field Stanfield
  • 1802 Owner/Management: Stephen George Kemble
  • 1805 Owner/Management: Anderson & Samuel Faulkner
  • 1813 Owner/Management: Henry Stephen Kemble
  • 1815 Owner/Management: Anderson & Faulkener
  • 1818 Alteration: repaired and twelve boxes added
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1820 Owner/Management: Mr Anderson
  • 1822 Owner/Management: Thomas Sheffield
  • 1824 Owner/Management: Edward Hillingdon & John Bland
  • 1825 Owner/Management: John Bland
  • 1827 Owner/Management: John Bland & Edward Crook
  • 1828 Owner/Management: Edward Crook
  • 1829 Owner/Management: William Mitchell
  • 1831 Owner/Management: Mitchell-J E Parry
  • 1832 Owner/Management: Samuel Roxby & William Roxby Beverley Jnr
  • 1848 Owner/Management: Charles Frederick Marshall & Alfred Davis
  • 1851 Owner/Management: J W Benson
  • 1858 Owner/Management: George Owen
  • 1860 Owner/Management: J F Rogers
  • 1861 Owner/Management: Henry Powell
  • 1863 Owner/Management: Henry Powell
  • 1863 Owner/Management: Catherine Lucette & Morton Price
  • 1863 Owner/Management: Richard & Robert Stoddard
  • 1864 Owner/Management: Lucette & Price
  • 1864 Owner/Management: W R Waldron
  • 1865 - 1866 Owner/Management: Robert Douglas
  • 1866 Owner/Management: Frank H Hall
  • 1866 Owner/Management: J Samuels
  • 1867 Owner/Management: W Sullivan & J Samuels
  • 1867 Owner/Management: Joseph & Thomas Dufour with Harry Davis
  • 1869 Owner/Management: F H Hall
  • 1869 Owner/Management: Richard Stoddart
  • 1870 Owner/Management: George Mustard and others
  • 1870 Owner/Management: James & Agnes Spence with H Trippas
  • 1874 Owner/Management: Jenny Lewis
  • 1874 Owner/Management: W R Waldron
  • 1874 Owner/Management: Ennis Lawson
  • 1874 - 1893 Alteration: Converted to Salvation Army citadel
    Unknown
    - Architect
  • 1920 - 1970 Owner/Management: Nebo Confectionery Factory, owner 
  • 1980 Owner/Management: Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, owner  
  • 1993 Owner/Management: Stockton Music & Arts Collective, lessee 
  • 2003 Owner/Management: Continuing as the Tees Music Alliance, lessee 
  • 2016 Alteration: Refurbishment
    DKS Architects
    - Architect
Capacities
  • Capacity
    Later
    Description
    100
  • Capacity
    Later
    Description
    200
  • Capacity
    Current
    Description
    300
    Comment
    standing in 2016
Listings
  • Listing
    II
Stage type
-
Building dimensions: -
Stage dimensions: -
Proscenium width: -
Height to grid: -
Inside proscenium: -
Orchestra pit: -