New Clarence Theatre

In 1795, Samuel Seward converted a residence into a Marionette Theatre, Sadlers' Wells or English Fantoccini. Seward was a talented actor, a member of Watson's Company and very successful Harlequin, a scene painter of renown, and fashioner of automaton figures and marionettes. About 1850, the building became known as the New Clarence Theatre. At least part of the building is believed to survive, although not easily identifiable from James Winston's drawing. It later served as a garage snd then a shop, until permission for demolition was granted in 2004.