The old Victoria Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent was the first permanent home of the Studio Theatre Company, set up by the theatre director, designer and academic Stephen Joseph in 1954. Joseph was a passionate advocate of the open stage in general and of theatre in the round in particular. His touring company always played in the round and Joseph had a significant influence on the development of the open stage in Britain. In 1962 he handed over direction of his company to Peter Cheeseman who dedicated his subsequent career to developing Joseph's policies in the more fruitful context of a stable base in a large industrial community. New work was the first priority, complemented by the production of major dramatic classics and outstanding contemporary plays in the developing traditions of the British repertory Movement.
Peter Cheeseman stayed at the old Victoria Theatre, initiating and leading the design and fundraising process for the New Victoria Theatre, Europe's first purpose-built theatre in the round. The archive coverage extends to Cheeseman's retirement from his post as Theatre Director in January 1998. The New Victoria Theatre remains in production, with different policy priorities, under a new Director.
Reference: Deposit information for the New Victoria Theatre Archive.
From the guide to the The New Victoria Theatre Archive, 1955-1998, (Special Collections, Information Services, Thompson Library, Staffordshire University)
