Stamford Arts Centre

Stamford Arts Centre is comprised of three separate buildings. These are the Theatre, the Ballroom and the centre section, which now houses the tea room, gallery and information centre.

Originally opened on 14th March 1768, this is one of the oldest purpose-built theatres in the provinces. It was built by Jeremy Whitley, an Irishman with an extensive theatrical circuit, and Alderman William Clark, a local mason. It cost £806 to erect and contemporary commentators described it as being ‘wonderfully grand and ‘the completest place of its size in the Kingdom’.

During the 100 years following its opening, many famous names from the English stage performed here. Amongst them were William Charles McCready, Charles Kemble, Mrs Siddons, Edmund Keen, Sheridan Knowles and Miss Ellen Tree. Eventually though, the visits of touring companies became less frequent, due to the decline in coach traffic on the Great North Road, and gaps in its calendar had to be filled with charity shows.

The decline continued and eventually the building was converted into a Gentlemen’s club. This remained until the Second World War when it became a rendezvous for service men and women. Later still, it was used for a variety of purposes, including badminton, flower shows, jumble sales, discos and dog training.

The Ballroom (or Blue Room)

What is now known as the Ballroom was formerly called the Assembly Rooms. Assembly rooms were extremely popular during the eighteenth century as places where people could meet to take tea, play cards, gossip, and attend grand balls.

The site was originally leased in 1727 from the Earl of Exeter by Askew Kirk, who was a dancing master. It was a condition of the lease was that the Assembly Room be built. Kirk died in 1738, but assemblies continued. One such event took place in 1816 when, for a price of 5 shillings patrons were able to enjoy a cup of tea, a game of cards and an evening of dancing. The event was attended by The Marchioness of Exeter, her son The Marquess, the Earl and Countess of Lonsdale, the Earl of Harborough, The Earl of Winchilsea and Miss Finch, Lord Brudenell and many others from the fashionable society of that period.

In 1824, the Assembly Rooms played host to Madame Tussauds, where visitors could see effigies of royal persons and military figures dressed in spectacular costumes.

The Coffee Shop/Information Area

Modern Times

In 1969 the Marquess of Exeter made all three of the Georgian buildings available to a group of enthusiasts, led by the noted artist, the late Wilfred Wood, who was seeking to establish an Arts Centre in the town. As a result of their efforts, the Arts Centre we see today was opened in 1972. The restored theatre was opened in1978 by the Duchess of Gloucester.

In 1990 South Kesteven District Council assumed responsibility for the buildings and for administering the Arts Centre under a long-term lease. They implemented a major programme of much-needed repairs, which saw the whole building cleaned and the theatre completely refurbished, including a new sound system and lighting.

The exterior of the Arts Centre has featured prominently in several major film and TV productions, including Middlemarch and Pride & Prejudice.

For more information and further historical details, visit the Stamford Arts Centre web site.

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