BRICK IN THE NEWS: AN EARLY THEATRE IN LONDON

摘要

Archaeologists excavating at 85 Stepney Way, London El, in advance of the construction of a block of flats, have uncovered evidence of what may be the earliest theatre in London, a playhouse attached to the 'Red Lion' inn. Documentary evidence records that John Brayne had a playhouse behind his establishment, but the exact location of the 'Red Lion' in London's East End was unknown prior to the excavation. A potential date for the inn and its playhouse is 1567 but this is subject to dendrochronological investigation of the timbers discovered. The 'Red Lion' was described in a lawsuit as having a stage 40 feet (12.2 metres) from north to south by 30 feet (9.1 metres) from east to west and 5 feet (1.5 metres) high. The documents describe the stage as having timber scaffolds or galleries round it.