Roman Theatre, St Albans

Looking across the Roman theatre towards St Michael's Church, St Albans

The Roman Theatre at St Albans, Hertfordshire, England is an excavated site within the Roman walled city of Verulamium. Although there are other Roman theatres in Britain (for example at Camulodunum), the one at Verulamium is claimed to be the only example of its kind, being a theatre with a stage rather than an amphitheatre. ^{[1] [2]}

The theatre differs from the typical Roman theatre in being built on a site that is only slightly sloping (where possible Roman theatres took advantage of the natural terrain), and in its plan (although there are theatres with similar plans in Northern Gaul). The theatre was built in about 140AD. Urban life continued in Verulamium into the 5th century. However, by that time the theatre had fallen into disuse. It was used as a rubbish dump in the 4th century.

Excavation

It was excavated in the 19th century, ^[3] and again in the 1930s by Kathleen Kenyon.

Access and use

The theatre is on land belonging to the Earl of Verulam and is regularly opened to the public. ^[1]

It was sometimes used for theatrical performances, ^[4] and these have now become regular with a Roman Theatre Open Air Festival. ^[5]

See also

• List of Roman theatres
• St Albans Museums

References

1. "The Roman Theatre". www.gorhamburyestate.co.uk. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
2. Becker, J. "Places: 113035707 (Verulamium Roman theater)". Pleiades. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
3. "Remains of the Roman theatre at St Albans, Hertfordshire (excavated 1847)". victorianweb.org. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
4. Davies, Alan (12 July 2017). "Ancient Greek play..." Herts Advertiser. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
5. "OVO director reveals vision behind St Albans' newest theatre". 2023.

External links

• https://ovo.org.uk/roman-theatre