View Historic Boards Linked to Shakespeare

Unique Opportunity to View Historic Boards Linked to Shakespeare – Open to Public FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY from 27th May to 31st July 2025.

“The largest area of 15th-century timber floor in the UK is on show for a limited time only: it was built in 1419. ‘It’s so important: it’s the dry equivalent of the famous ship the Mary Rose!”

“These are the boards used by Shakespeare’s company during the plague closures of 1592/3, making it a site of international cultural significance. And you can see all of them for a limited time only before we start work to conserve them for another 600 years! Come and enjoy this once in a lifetime chance” Tim FitzHigham, Creative Director.

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.

The floor includes the earliest known fixed stage arrangement in a working theatre from the 1740s 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.

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,”

This rare opportunity to see the stage ends in July, after which it will be conserved as part of the Guildhall’s extensive regeneration.
Open Monday-Saturday May 26th to July 31st (Please note: on Wednesdays in term-time, the Guildhall is only open to schools and access patrons).

Access patrons and schools please book in advance by contacting learning@west-norfolk.gov.uk.