PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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PLYMOUTH'S FIRST THEATRE The earliest reference to what we would call "Theatre" was in 1515 when a troupe of strolling players called the King's Joculars appeared at the Town Gates. They obviously found their visit rewarding as it is said that from then onwards companies of players arrived at the Town several times a year. Far from pleasing everybody, however, the pious leaders of the Town thought the gates should be slammed shut in the faces of itinerant actors and some groups were even paid not to appear. Many of the groups were sponsored by the nobility and carried their sponsors name, e.g. "Lord Dodlei's Players", and "Erell of Warwickeys Plears", who both played in Plymouth in 1560 and 1563 respectively. Performances were usually in the open-air but sometimes in places like St Andrew's Church. Opposition to things theatrical grew steadily worse as the age of Puritanism found great support in Plymouth, particularly through the Civil War period. It raged so long and strong that it was not until the year 1745 that Plymouth saw its first theatre, two rooms in a dilapidated house in Broad Hoe Lane (later known as Hoegate Street). It held about 100 people. Sadly the audiences -- and indeed, the players -- became known for their riotous behaviour and the structure of the building became so unsafe that it had to be abandoned in 1758. Not long afterwards a lease was taken on three partly-built houses in Frankfort Street and these were turned into Plymouth's first Theatre Royal.
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