Continuing the theatre theme from yesterday here is our 2nd theatre, the Chesil Theatre . It is just opposite the Chesil Rectory, in - you've guessed it - Chesil Street. The theatre occupies St Peter’s Church which once stood outside the City gates in a row of houses serving a bustling community of tradesmen and craftsmen in Chesil Street.
The earliest mention of the church was in 1148. After the Second World War the church fell out of use and by 1960 was structurally unsafe. The Winchester Preservation Trust was formed at that time and its first objective was to save the building. Winchester Dramatic Society accepted an offer of the building rent free but with the responsibility of maintaining it. Ever since then this has been the home of the Chesil Theatre Company which is the premier amateur company in the Winchester area. With over 200 members the company produces 6 plays each year. Their current play is Wait Until Dark.
My girlfriend keeps wanting to paint her front door red. Some say it will look like a whorehouse. But I think it would look really cool!
ReplyDeleteHow charming. I love love love that red door!
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It's great that the company has somewhere so nice to use. I like the red door too.
ReplyDeleteRed doors are very popular, even for places that aren't brothels!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great use for a redundant church, plenty of room for them.
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