Stamford’s Assembly Rooms was built in 1727, leased from the Earl of Exeter. The theatre was built in 1766 – 8 and opened in March 1786. In 1969, the Marquis of Exeter suggested that three of his building in St. George’s Square could form a hub for the Arts and offered to rent them out at £5 p.a. 1972 saw the official opening of the Arts’Centre. Eventually, the Stamford Theatre Co. and the Arts’ Centre were merged. The centre underwent another refurbishment in 2o16.
“Very extensive alterations are being made in the Theatre at Stamford, at the joint expense of the landlord and the lessee (Mr. Caple.) A new stage is to be laid down, ata lower altitude than that of the old one; and the pit also is to be lowered, thus effecting a greater separation between the pit and the boxes. The entire house is to be re-decoration, and ample provision is to be made for rendering it warm and comfortable. Mr. Caple seemed determined to revive, if possible, the patronage of the drama in Stamford, as he has done in other towns which he hqas visited with his company.”
The dulness of the ‘long evenings before Christmas’ in Stamford is to be relieved on Monday and Tuesday next by the performances of a party of femail serenaders, for whom the banquetting-room at the Stamford Hotel has been engaged. ~We perceive that all the popular Ethiopian ballads and glees are announced in the programme, and that the “sable sisters of song” have published a broad sheet of favorable criticisms upon their performances.”
Stamford Mercury, 15th December, 1848.
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