Published: Friday, 16th May 2025
Archaeologists have made a landmark discovery at St George’s Guildhall in King’s Lynn: the earliest known theatrical stage in the UK.
Dating back to the 1740s and built out of the medieval floor structure from circa 1419. Experts now believe this extraordinary find could be a stage made of the very boards used by Shakespeare’s company during the plague closures of 1592/3, making it a site of international cultural significance.
This once-in-a-generation discovery has unveiled centuries of hidden theatre history, revealing layered evidence of multiple stage layouts, spanning early medieval, Tudor, Stuart, Georgian and modern periods - all under one roof.
St George’s Guildhall, which is owned by the National Trust and managed by King’s Lynn Borough Council is now confirmed to be oldest working theatre space in the country.
From 26 May to the end of July, the public will be able to see the newly discovered stage before it is carefully re-covered as part of a major restoration project.
Visitors can also view layers of historical flooring and explore the venue’s extraordinary past - including its tantalising Shakespeare connection.
“This is the largest known 15th-century timber first floor in the country,” says Tim FitzHigham, Creative Director of St George’s Guildhall.
“We’ve stripped away centuries of additions and, for a limited time, people can walk into this building and see the stage that may have hosted Shakespeare himself.
“The oral history of Shakespeare performing here was known to the Georgians and they raised these specific boards up for some significant reason. It’s an emotional, spine-tingling experience.
“Having got a clear picture of the theatrical lay out in the venue from 1766 onwards we are now working hard to understand the even earlier phases of theatre and use.
“There is no other working theatre in the country that has these earlier phases so the work we are doing is critical to our understanding of theatre.”
The stage, raised from the medieval floorboards and adapted in the 1740s appears to allow for trap doors and scenery, is evidence of sophisticated theatrical practices long before the West End era.
Dr Jonathan Clark, architectural historian, explains: “This stage was created by cutting into the 1419 floor and raising the boards - creating what appears to be the earliest surviving playhouse staging in the UK.
“Its position suggests it reused an even earlier stage - possibly the one associated with Shakespeare’s company during their known visit in the 1590s,” he added.
The Guildhall has hosted performances since at least 1445. Royals, playwrights, and performers - including Elizabeth I’s company and Georgian actors - have all graced its boards.
Angus Wainwright, National Trust Archaeologist, said: “The detailed research in the archives and of the building itself has revolutionised our understanding of the history of this magnificent and internationally important building.
“The fact that traces of 600 years of theatre in the centre of Kings Lynn survive is particularly amazing,” he added.
This rare opportunity to see the stage ends in July, after which it will be conserved as part of the Guildhall’s extensive regeneration.