Arts Theatre Workshop And Store

This building is an arts theatre workshop and store, originally built in 1816 as a theatre. It was located in Barnwell due to restrictions on entertainment in Cambridge University town. The interior represents a remarkably complete example of a Georgian theatre, featuring a three-tiered horseshoe-shaped auditorium supported by cast iron columns. While the original decoration on the gallery fronts is no longer present, a painting of the Royal Arms remains above the proscenium. The theatre was closed during the 19th century and later used as a Nonconformist chapel before being reopened and subsequently closed again between the two World Wars. Around 1926, it was altered by Terence Gray, with architectural work led by Harold Ridge and Norman Marshall. These changes included removing the original proscenium arch and introducing a cyclorama and a revolving stage, reflecting early adoption of modern stage technology pioneered by Gordon Craig in the 1920s.