Angles Theatre

The Licensing Act 1737 created the office of Examiner of Plays, whose activities included censoring all plays. [6]^:4 The office holder when the theatre was built was John Larpent (1741-1824).In November 1778 he was appointed inspector of plays by the Marquis of Hertford, who was then Lord Chamberlain. He is said to have been strict and careful, and to have left behind him manuscript copies of all the plays submitted to the inspector from 1737 till 1824.[7] He died 18 January 1824.

The Theatrical Representations Act 1788 allowed local magistrates to licence occasional performances for periods of up to 60 days.

Earlier theatres are referred to in newspapers and other documents however these appear in some cases to have only been temporary structures such as that erected near the High street by the (Jemmy) Whitley (c1724-1781) company for a season in 1779, it stated that 'the company goes annually to Leicester, Nottingham, Darby (sic) and Stamford', although it announces on 5 May 1779, an intention to build a permanent structure for the 1780 season, however with the death of James Augustus Whitley in 1781, the way was left open for the James Edward Miller and Thomas Shaftoe Robertson (1773-1831) development.[8] or other buildings adapted for theatrical productions.[9]

In 1778/1779 Italian author and poet Giuseppe Marc'Antonio Baretti (also known as Joseph Baretti; 1718-1789) took up residence with a family living at Wisbech Castle for about a fortnight. Afterwards he published a series of letters Lettere Familiari de Giuseppe Baretti including a description of his Wisbech visit. He attended horse races, the theatre, public balls, public suppers and assemblies.[10]

The earliest reference to a theatre on Deadman's Lane (later Great Church street and now Alexandra Road ) is a benefit performance for Mr and Mrs Miller, with the play 'The Battle of Hexham'. The play was performed on Friday 20 May 1791 and was the last performance of the 1791 season.[11] The theatre was built by Mr Miller,[12] who managed the theatre jointly with Tom Robertson until 2 May 1796 when Mr Robertson purchased his right in all properties of the Lincoln circuit.[13]

When not in use for performances the theatre regularly held auctions, with the most prominent being the sale of Household Furniture, Linen and China from Wisbech Castle, belonging to the late Edward Southwell. This was most likely the first auction held at the 'New Theatre' in November 1791, with the sale of the mentioned items not being permitted on the castle premises.[14] Previous to the erection of this theatre, a building in Pickard's Lane, afterwards purchased by Mr.Jonathan Peckover, sen., and converted into a barn, has been used for theatrical purposes.[15] A large building also, on the Sutton road, was afterwards used for the like purpose, previous to the present erection in Deadman's Lane.[16]

A son of portrait painter William Hilton the elder of Lincoln, one of the Robertson company's scenery painters, William Hilton RA (1786-1839), was encouraged by Fanny Robertson to pursue a career as an artist, he rose to become a Royal Academician and later painted Fanny in the role of "Beatrice", in 1866 the painting was in the Wisbech Working Men's Institute. [17]

Child actor William Henry West Betty (1791-1874) performed here in 1808.[18]

William Hilton the elder was still being credited on theatre handbills for creating scenery for the Robertsons in 1818, 1819 and the 1820s. The handbill for The Carib Chief production on 5 May, 1820 is in Wisbech & Fenland museum's collection, others are in town and regional archives and this theatre's collection.

Madame Tussaud brought her touring waxwork show to the theatre, which opened on 14 November 1825.[19] The pit was covered over to enable the display of her works and the exhibition was regarded as a huge success.[20] Tickets cost one shilling and the theatre was crowded each evening, which included a performance from a military band. The display closed on 10 December 1825.[21]

The 'Infant Roscius' Master Herbert performed in Wisbech in 1829.[22] Edmund Kean performed on the Lincoln Circuit, in Boston and then came to Wisbech for the nights of 19 to 22 April 1831.[23] Tom Robertson (1829-1871), son of William Robertson performed here aged five as 'Hamish', the infant son of 'Rob Roy'.[24]

James Hill (banker) (father of Octavia Hill & Miranda Hill) bought the theatre in 1835, it was sold when he became bankrupt in 1840.[25][26]

William Macready (1793-1873) performed here in June, 1836.[27] He dined with Caroline and her father Dr Thomas Southwood Smith, her sister Emily and half brother Herman. A school (aka as the school for infidels) was erected in front of the theatre by James Hill in 1838, this was destined to become part of the theatre in the 20th century.[28]

Another West End actor brought by Mrs T. Fanny Robertson to perform at Wisbech and other Lincoln circuit venues was Henry Compton (actor). Although the audiences at Wisbech were thin, his performance as Touchstone in As You Like It and Mawwarm in Isaac Bickerstaff's The Hypocrite "was capital, he kept the audience in one tumult of laughter from beginning to end"[29]

The theatre had not long been 'lately fitted up and decorated at great expense, for the purpose of public assemblies and concerts' when it was offered for sale by auction at the White Hart Inn on 2 May 1843.[30]

The Act of 1737 was modified by the Theatres Act 1843. On 3 July, 1846 Robertson's Theatrical company performed a play 'Mind how you Wed!' written by Dr Whitsed, a local GP and later mayor.[31]

The building ceased being used as a regular theatrical venue by 1850.[32]

'In July, 1897, the School of Science and Art acquired the Old Theatre property on lease, and made considerable alterations. When it came into their possession, it had four whitewashed walls and a roof, with the time worn remains of the stage and gallery just as it was left after having been used as a theatre'. A previous user was Mr.Saunders, a tent and marquee maker. The School of Art occupied the former infant school.[33]

A poster in Wisbech & Fenland Museum printed by Poyser's records it was put up for auction as 'The Old Theatre', to be sold by Johnson & Easter at 7PM on Thursday 7 July 1921 at the White Lion hotel. At this time it has a pedestrian entrance from Crescent Passage. The Stable, Coach House and yard are in the occupation of Dr.C.H.Gunson.

In 1978, the theatre building was 'rediscovered' by several drama enthusiasts looking for a space to rehearse their productions and after uncovering the history of the building, brought it back into use as the Angles theatre.[34]

On 25 November 1978 a civic opening was attended by the Mayor of Wisbech and chairman of Fenland District Council and presided over by Anton Rogers. Richard Leacroft, architect and theatre historian gave a lecture on the development of regional theatre. Another speaker was Gregor MacGregor of the Georgian Theatre Royal in Richmond, Yorkshire. Four days later the Angles Theatre Company staged Oliver Goldsmith's She Stoops to Conquer. [35] This was an appropriate choice, it being one of the most popular and regularly staged plays in Wisbech Theatre's heyday. This may be in part because Oliver Goldsmith stayed with the Lumpkin family at Park House, Leverington and lampooned his friend Nicholas Lumpkin (1748-1825), he may even have written part of the play whilst at Park House. After spending much of his wealth Lumpkin moved to Wisbech where he died on 24 November 1825.[36][37]

On 23 September 1979 the cast of the West End show, Songbook (musical) performed for one night at the theatre, relocating from the Gielgud Theatre for the single performance. This event was arranged by cast member and president of the Angles Theatre Anton Rodgers.[38]

The Wisbech Players's first production at the theatre was Pygmalion (play) in 1979, they then used other venues until their production of Agatha Christie's play The Unexpected Guest in 1988.[39]

The architecture of the building was documented in 1980 by Richard Leacroft, who used the timbers and doorways to deduce the original design of the building which was documented in his book 'Theatre and Playhouse', page 98 contains a cut-away diagram of the theatre as it may have been c1795.[40][41] He noted that the size, shape and layout of the auditorium was similar to that of the Georgian Theatre Royal in Richmond, Yorkshire, however, the current design does not reflect the original form.[42]

The Stage of 1 August 1991 reported on a fire at the theatre.[43]

Currently (2020) the theatre are fund raising for refurbishment of the existing seating. Sponsors are sought to donate £180 to have a chair refurbished.[44]

The 2019 pantomime production was 'Cinderella- the Fairy Godmother of pantomimes' by Tom Whalley.[45]

Ratz the in-house company have nominated for NODA awards for their 2019 productions [46]