The
Crescent Theatre Company - from the early years to present day
Written
by Jane Mather, Crescent Theatre Co. |
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| The
Crescent Theatre |
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The
Crescent Theatre Company has three quarters of a century of history
behind them. Find out all about the history of the company below. |
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No 18, The Crescent - 'The Municipal Players' first home.
On 31st January 1924, thirty members drawn from various civic departments
of the Council met and decided to constitute themselves The Municipal
Players.
This followed their successful organisation of various dramatic societies
who provided entertainment for the Council staff at functions.
| Where
to store our props? |
A notice of eviction for the few bits of scenery and ‘props’ that
were stored in the Council House cellar first brought despair, then
opportunity.
Accommodation
for storage was offered at an old house at No 18 the Crescent, but
when seen, something more than storage room was immediately envisaged.
Built shortly before the Napoleonic Wars, this house was later named
Baskerville Hall (in 1877) out of compliment to that brilliant painter
John Baskerville.
It became in turn; a warehouse and a factory, until finally it was
rediscovered by The Municipal Players.
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| Baskerville
House |
To many
it seemed incredible that this derelict building, with it's high walls
covered with crumbling plaster, it's rotten floor and it's leaking
roof, could be converted into a theatre.
But in July 1931 the work began - with clerks and school teachers
taking up the spade, the trowel, saw and paint brush - as well as
becoming excavators, bricklayers, painters and carpenters (all under
the leadership of the technically qualified).
Nine months after the commencement of operations, the Theatre was
officially opened on 8th April 1932 by the Lord Mayor, Alderman Sir
John Burman, MP,JP, and the Society staged its first production: "The
Romantics" by Edmond Rostand.
Membership was now opened to everyone not just Council employees.
They enjoyed considerable success until the outbreak of war in 1939
when Government restrictions closed theatres.
Restrictions were relaxed in 1940 and despite the blackout and air
raids the theatre remained open, intending to help the war effort.
A decision was taken that the Crescent should become the City’s Garrison
Theatre, solely for the entertainment of troops and auxiliary services.
Fitting in rehearsals and performances between daily work and voluntary
Civil Defence duties, the depleted Company embarked on a programme
of revues, comedies and chiller/thrillers until the end of hostilities.
In 1946 the theatre was one of the first to join the newly formed
Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain, the brainchild of Norman Leaker,
founder member and first Crescent Chairman.
Plans were made to double the size of the auditorium, shows went on
tour and all was set for expansion when the Council dealt a stunning
blow.
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| The
present day Crescent Theatre in Brindley Place |
The land
was needed for development and the Company was given notice to quit.
The company now opted for a purpose-built theatre. The Council offered
a site in Cumberland Street and an interest-free loan.
Ownership of the building was vested in The Crescent Theatre (New
Building) Trust Ltd and a limited company formed to run the theatre.
That building (our previous home) opened in October 1964, with it's
revolutionary design of the revolving auditorium/stage. However it
was minus the top storey as costs had risen and the money ran out.
The number of productions was increased and musicals were now a regular
item in the programme. Studio productions ensured that new members
were given opportunities and experience.
A new Youth Theatre was formed in the 1980s, which has gone from strength
to strength and built a reputation for innovative artistry.
In the late 1980s history appeared to repeat itself as the Council
disposed of the ground lease to developers and the theatre’s 1960s
architecture did not fit in the with the proposed prestigious scheme.
The Company once more faced the prospect of losing its home. After
long and delicate negotiations, the developers, Brindleyplace plc
agreed to finance a new building on a canal-side site fronting onto
Sheepcote Street (our present home).
If you're interested in joining the theatre company, click
here for details.
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