The Barn Theatre Chairs 

The way in which the barn theatre chairs were required his of some interest add in Terry's daughter Edith Craig had long held A wish to convert the barn into a theatre but her mother constantly vetoed the suggestion it was only after her mother's death that she was able to carry out this wish and accordingly the barn was converted and the first performance was held on July the 21st 1929 just one year after Ellen Terry's death. 

Anthony Thomas recounted recently in “the story of the barn theatre” as follows: 

“unfortunately no record exists of the members of the audience at the first performance who was seated on the chair still in use today these chairs themselves are historic having been presented by supporters whose names were burnt on the back and provide a fascinating record not only of many of the most famous players of the period but also friends neighbours and servants even Ellen Terry's cat who died some years later at the remarkable age of 23. Adie had invited supporters to subscribe 1 LB for a chair commemorating themselves or a friend it is worth recording that these charming if not very comfortable chairs cost only 5 shillings each and so provided a useful contribution to the funds originally all rush seated at least half the seats have had to be replaced with would the cost of re rushing being now quite prohibitive” 

Since then, all the chairs have been re rushed some by Charles Trewby and the majority by Jenny hovey both members of the society. 

Work Experience

July 2024 - May 2025

January 2023 - June 2024