Theatre makes 'mind boggling' Shakespeare discovery
A 600-year-old doorway that may have once led to William Shakespeare’s dressing room has been revealed in the UK’s oldest working theatre.
The archway was found in St George’s Guildhall, in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, during archaeological investigations.
It was discovered when two noticeboards and layers of plasterboard were removed from a ground-floor wall.
Tim FitzHigham, creative director of the theatre, said: "It is simply staggering that a weird shape in the wall has turned out to be something frankly extraordinary."
"This room was used by the highest level of Guild members to dress in their finery before feasting upstairs.
"The Guilds, akin to 1400s membership clubs, ceased using the hall, and the room likely took on the role of a dressing room or 'tiring house' for visiting actors," he said.
| Shakespeare is believed to have trod the boards which were discovered at the theatre last year (Jill Bennet/BBC)
The theatre claims documents show The Bard acted there in 1592 or 1593.
It is believed the Queen Elizabeth's Men, a troupe of actors formed in 1583, performed at the theatre 10 times in the late 1500s.
He said: "We've got a door that would definitely have been here in the years we think Shakespeare played here and, in all likelihood, was the door to a room where the players changed and stored props."
| Research carried out by archaeologist Dr Jonathan Clarke could pinpoint the location of a stairway (Jill Bennet/BBC)
The Grade I-listed theatre, described as the largest intact medieval guildhall in England, is undergoing major conservation work.
Dr Jonathan Clarke is part of the group who made the discovery and his research may have pinpointed the location of a stairway that once led to the dressing room.
He said: "It is the type of room where travelling groups of players might change due to its location within the Guildhall.
"It would have given them a private space where they could put things, change and then travel up the staircase to appear on the first floor in their costume."
Source: bbc.com
Trending Entertainment
Per biblical principle, you have a responsibility to sexually satisfy your spouse – Brother Sammy
17:33'Nothing Lasts Forever (NFL)': Camidoh announces star-studded remix for new hit
16:14Ohemaa Mercy lied, God never spoke to her, she seeks freedom from ‘the cage of marriage’ to enjoy life – Brother Sammy
17:06Trigmatic on ‘divine’, ‘intentional’ curation of My Life Remix after disappointment by Kuami Eugene, KiDi
16:56Brother Sammy asserts he's not divorced; 'I'm the only Gospel artiste with an intact, vibrant marriage'
17:16Kuami Eugene: Singer announces self-named record label, first single 'Belinda' after exiting Lynx
14:18Trigmatic on meeting, becoming friends, collaborating with ‘master of the art’ Ebo Taylor
16:57New Harry Potter series launches casting call
00:57Kendrick Lamar to headline Super Bowl halftime show
14:29Paris Paralympics 2024 ends with electro-party
15:07