Running through the maze of warrens at the Old Nick Theatre really has left me with a sense of tumbling down the rabbit hole.
The building, with the exception of the auditorium, is eerily cold. I can hear the sounds of a working environment, there’s a computer whirring to the side and I hear voices coming from the auditorium. Everyone seems anxious to get things write, The Show Must Go On I suppose.
After a while of screaming and shouting the actors and directors go off to do whatever is it they do and I’m left by myself, in the company of Gainsborough’s past. An excellent opportunity to have a little wonder around.
The building is old, I couldn’t find when it was made but it is a Listed building and a former Police Station, hence ‘The Old Nick’. The box office where I’m sat was the desk Sargent’s office, someone reporting a crime would come to my window but instead of buying a ticket for the show might have a gruesome tale to tell.
There are lots of different rooms, separate areas for the men and women, both officers and criminals. Walking through the preserved metal prison style gates into what would have been the holding area for Gainsborough’s newly detained. Walking a little further I find the dank and dingy cells complete with authentic 1970′s graffiti. Although this area is preserved for tours of the place as well as being part of the Gainsborough Ghost Trail the rest of the building’s interior has been transformed into a working theatre.
It seems that justice used to be swift and powerful in these parts with what is now the auditorium being previously the court for the town, so no chance of the arrested escaping on route to Lincoln then.
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[...] nick theatre I started some volunteering at The Gainsborough Theatre Company in the town’s Old Nick Theatre. Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Qype: Gainsborough Old Hall in GainsboroughMisty [...]