- Cambridge Arts Theatre
Cambridge Arts Theatre is a 666 seat theatre in
Cambridge , presenting a varied mix ofdrama ,dance ,opera andpantomime . It attracts some of the highest quality touring productions in the country, as well as many shows direct from and prior to seasons in the West End. Its annual Christmaspantomime is an established tradition in the city. It also holds excellent links with the university and its dramatic societies such as the Footlights and the University Music Society (53 of the Footlights' revues to date have been held at the Theatre, and it provides a venue for the triannualCambridge Greek Play ).History
The Theatre opened in early 1936 under the control of a Trust 'which is fully representative of the Town and the University' and of the Trust's board of trustees (the first of which included the Provost of King's College, its English and Music professors, the mayor and the deputy mayor). Its initial construction was paid for by renowned economist
John Maynard Keynes , a fellow of King's College (his wifeLydia Lopokova also supported the Theatre's foundation), and another fellow of King's - George Rylands - was also a Trustee. Rylands went on to be the Theatre's chairman from 1946 to 1982. The Theatre hosted the world premiere ofHarold Pinter 's "The Birthday Party" in 1958 (other premieres include "Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know " and "Someone Like You"), and in September 2008 it will host the world premiere of a new stage adaptation of Tracey Chevalier's"Girl with a Pearl Earring" prior to a transfer to theWest End . Artists to have appeared here includeSir Ian McKellen (in a Marlowe Society production of Cymbeline),Sir Derek Jacobi and more recently,Susan Hampshire ,Nigel Havers ,Simon Callow andWarren Mitchell .External links
* [http://www.cambridgeartstheatre.com/ Cambridge Arts Theatre homepage]
* [http://footlights.org/history.html History of the Footlights]
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