Angles Theatre

Angles Theatre is a historic Georgian playhouse and arts venue in the market town of Wisbech, in the Cambridgeshire area historically associated with the Isle of Ely. It is regarded as one of the oldest surviving theatres in Britain. The venue developed within the late-eighteenth-century theatre circuit serving Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and surrounding communities, and was generally known in its early period as the Wisbech Theatre. The theatre is believed to have been built around 1790, although theatrical activity in Wisbech predates the present building. Earlier performances took place in temporary or other local structures, including venues in Pickard's Lane and near the Sutton Road. The present playhouse emerged after the Theatrical Representations Act 1788 enabled local magistrates to license occasional theatrical performances, and it became associated with James Edward Miller and Thomas Shaftoe Robertson, who operated it as part of the Lincoln theatre circuit. A contemporary report described the newly fitted theatre as elegant and suitable for productions such as As You Like It and No Song, No Supper. During the first half of the nineteenth century, the theatre hosted a varied programme. Its principal activity was spoken drama, but the building also accommodated concerts, lectures, auctions, exhibitions, panoramas, circus performances, public assemblies and dances. Touring companies and notable performers appeared there, including William Henry West Betty, Edmund Kean, William Macready, Sarah Booth, Charles Kean, Kate Terry and members of the Holman family. Madame Tussaud's touring waxwork exhibition also visited in 1825. The venue's flexible design allowed the pit and stage areas to be adapted for non-theatrical events. The property underwent repeated improvements. James Hill, a Wisbech banker and the father of social reformers Octavia Hill and Miranda Hill, acquired the theatre and adjoining land in 1835. He invested in the building and promoted productions through his newspaper, The Star in the East. A progressive infant school was constructed in front of the theatre in 1838. The school building later became part of the theatre complex, and the current premises comprise both the original Georgian playhouse and the former school or library building. Both structures are Grade II listed. The theatre experienced increasing financial pressure during the 1840s, when smaller provincial and suburban venues faced competition and managers sought local subscriptions to sustain seasons. Regular theatrical performances ended around 1850. The building subsequently served for many years as a concert room and as a venue for lectures and other public events. In the late nineteenth century, part of the property was occupied by the School of Science and Art, while the historic theatre retained elements including its stage and gallery. The site was returned to use as a theatre and arts venue in the twentieth century and was renamed The Angles in 1978. The modern Angles Theatre therefore represents both a continuing performance venue and a surviving architectural record of Britain's travelling theatre circuit. Its programme and institutional activities are associated with theatre and wider arts presentation, while its historic fabric links the venue to Georgian playgoing, nineteenth-century touring entertainment and the civic cultural life of Wisbech. The theatre's named patrons include Sir Derek Jacobi, Jo Brand, Claire Tomalin and Dame Cleo Laine.

The history of Angles Theatre is rooted in Wisbech's eighteenth-century theatrical culture. Before the present building was established, performances took place in temporary or adapted structures around the town. Companies including the Whitley and Herbert comedians visited during Wisbech Race Week, while James Augustus Whitley erected a temporary theatre near the High Street for a 1779 season. His proposed permanent building did not proceed, leaving an opportunity for a more durable theatre development. The present theatre is generally believed to date from about 1790 and was built by James Edward Miller. It formed part of the Lincoln theatre circuit and was commonly called the Wisbech Theatre. A benefit performance was recorded in May 1791, and a newspaper announcement in February 1792 described the newly fitted theatre and advertised its opening with As You Like It and No Song, No Supper. Miller initially managed the theatre with Thomas Shaftoe Robertson. In 1796 Robertson acquired Miller's rights in the properties of the wider Lincoln circuit. The theatre was not used exclusively for drama. Auctions were held there, including a notable sale of furnishings and household goods from Wisbech Castle in 1791. During the early nineteenth century the venue received touring actors, companies and attractions. Robertson announced improvements in 1806, including new chandeliers. William Henry West Betty performed in 1808, and Joseph George Holman and Amelia Holman Gilfert appeared in a series of celebrated roles in 1812. The period also illustrates the hazards of theatrical production: candles, oil lamps, fireworks, weapons and other effects could cause serious accidents, and a former member of the Wisbech company later died after her clothing caught fire at another theatre. The venue continued to attract nationally known performers and travelling exhibitions. Madame Tussaud's waxwork show occupied the theatre in late 1825, with the pit covered to create display space. Sarah Booth appeared in 1827, the young performer known as Master Herbert visited in 1829, and Edmund Kean performed in 1831. After Robertson's death in 1831, his widow Fanny took charge of the Robertson company. The theatre also provided an early setting for the young T. W. Robertson, who later became known as a dramatist. James Hill bought the theatre and adjacent land in 1835. He funded substantial improvements, and the 1836 season was marketed as a newly enhanced theatre with ambitious scenic and operational arrangements. William Macready appeared that year, while Robert Owen lectured at the venue in 1837. The theatre's interior was described as highly decorative, with painted elements, mythological groups, drapery and chandeliers. Hill used his newspaper, The Star in the East, to publicise productions and engagements. In 1838 he built an infant school in front of the theatre, creating the second major structure that would eventually become part of the present complex. The theatre's programme expanded further in the late 1830s and 1840s. Local dramatic societies presented plays, circus acts appeared for short engagements, concerts featured touring families and musicians, and lecturers and exhibitors used the building. The pit could be boarded over for balls, while the stage and auditorium could be rearranged for lectures, assemblies and exhibitions. The venue also hosted moving panoramas and other popular visual entertainments. Such flexibility was commercially useful, but the theatre faced mounting financial difficulty. James and Thomas Hill became bankrupt in 1840, and the theatre was offered for sale. Fanny Robertson gave her farewell benefit in 1843 after relinquishing management, although the Robertson company continued as a tenant for a period. By the mid-1840s, managers were seeking subscriptions from local residents to maintain regular seasons. Touring stars including Charles Kean and Kate Terry appeared, but the economics of provincial theatre were increasingly challenging. In 1847 another manager took a season at Wisbech, and in 1848 Robertson used a cheaper portable theatre elsewhere in town rather than relying solely on the permanent building. Regular theatrical performances ended around 1850. The property then functioned principally as a concert room and hosted lectures, exhibitions and other public gatherings. A related building, probably the former school, was referred to as a concert room in the early 1850s. Later in the nineteenth century the theatre property had a range of occupants and uses. A tent and marquee maker was among the lessees, and in 1891 the School of Science and Art leased the site. The Georgian theatre still contained its stage and gallery, while the former infant school at the front accommodated educational use. The building was subsequently returned to theatrical and arts use in the twentieth century. In 1978 it was renamed The Angles, marking its modern identity as a theatre and arts venue. The surviving complex consists of the original theatre and the former school or library building. Both are Grade II listed, preserving an unusual combination of performance, educational and civic cultural history. Today the venue's significance rests on its long association with touring theatre, its survival as a Georgian playhouse and its continued role in the cultural life of Wisbech. Its patrons include Sir Derek Jacobi, Jo Brand, Claire Tomalin and Dame Cleo Laine.

• 1978

  Renamed The Angles

  [1]Angles Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The building was returned to use as a theatre and arts venue and adopted the name The Angles.

• 1891

  School of Science and Art tenancy

  [1]Angles Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The School of Science and Art leased the theatre property, occupying the former school while the historic theatre retained its stage and gallery.

• 1850

  Regular theatre performances end

  [1]Angles Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The building ceased to host regular theatrical seasons and was used primarily as a concert room and public venue.

• 1838

  Infant school built in front of the theatre

  [1]Angles Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  James Hill constructed a progressive infant school in front of the playhouse; the building later became part of the theatre complex.

• 1835

  James Hill acquires the theatre

  [1]Angles Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  Banker James Hill purchased the theatre and adjoining land and began investing in improvements to the site.

• 1825

  Madame Tussaud exhibition

  [1]Angles Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  Madame Tussaud's touring waxwork exhibition used the theatre, with the pit adapted for the display.

• 1796

  Robertson acquires Miller's circuit interests

  [1]Angles Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  Thomas Shaftoe Robertson acquired James Edward Miller's rights in the properties of the Lincoln theatre circuit.

• 1792

  Public opening described in the press

  [1]Angles Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  A newspaper announced the opening of an elegantly fitted theatre with As You Like It and No Song, No Supper.

• 1791

  Early recorded benefit performance

  [1]Angles Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  A benefit performance of The Battle of Hexham was held at the theatre in May, providing an early documentary reference to the venue.

• 1790

  Probable construction of the Wisbech Theatre

  [1]Angles Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The present Georgian theatre is generally believed to have been built around this time as part of the Lincoln theatre circuit.

A historic local theatre and arts venue combining Georgian architectural heritage with live performance and community cultural use.

• Performing arts

  Live theatre performances

  The venue's core activity is the presentation of drama and other live theatrical work. Historically, its programme was built around touring companies, repertory seasons, benefit performances and appearances by prominent performers. The theatre's Georgian auditorium and stage preserve the spatial character of a small provincial playhouse.

• Live entertainment

  Concerts and music events

  Music has been an important complementary use of the venue since the nineteenth century. The building hosted vocalists, instrumental groups, cathedral choirs, touring musical families and concert entertainments, and it was used as a concert room after regular theatre seasons ended around 1850.

• Cultural events

  Lectures, exhibitions and community events

  The adaptable building has accommodated lectures, public assemblies, exhibitions, panoramas, auctions, balls and other civic events. This multi-purpose role reflects the historical importance of provincial theatres as shared cultural and social spaces rather than venues devoted exclusively to drama.

1. 1Angles Theatreen.wikipedia.org