This drama played out, on and off, for six years. Our plucky, not to say awkward, proprietor of the Circus of Varieties, Thomas Askham first applied to the Cambridgeshire Theatres Committee for a licence to perform stage plays in the Auckland Road building on 27 March 1902. Ranged against him were:
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Sundry bowings and other preliminaries over, the musicians get to work, but are soon interrupted, and from this point onward the ‘turn’ is a farce. Instrumentation is forsaken in favour of the dance, interspersed with somersaults, and high revelry is held (CEX 5 September 1896 p 8.)
The business-minded Thomas Askham , along with the Conservative Club and the ADC theatres. The council met on Thursday 3 April 1902. Perhaps anticipating problems Askham presented a petition in support from 900 Barnwell residents
We, the undersigned ratepayers, hereby declare that we are in favour of a dramatic licence being granted for the Circus of Varieties, Auckland Road, Cambridge, and we further beg to say that, having known Mr. T. Askham for a considerable period as a resident amongst us, we believe him to be a person who, if permitted to hold the same, will conduct the proceedings in a way calculated to satisfy your honourable Council in every respect. CDN, 3 April 1902, p 3
The Committee recommended that a licence be granted on condition that the building be pulled down and rebuilt with electric light throughout, fire hydrants supplied, various fees paid and no application made for an Excise licence (for alcohol). Askham was to supply plans by the 19th so that the application could be considered by the Council.
At the County Council meeting on May 2nd it was proposed that, following visits by members to the site, licence be approved. However there was spirited opposition from Alderman W K Vawser who claimed this had been sprung upon the respectable inhabitants of Barnwell and ‘a theatre in this poor neighbourhood would not be likely to be of such a character as would uplift the inhabitants’ (CDN, 1 May 1902, p 3). The matter was adjourned until 24 May.
By then a storm of opposition had been raised and the reports took up two and a half columns in the local papers. The University joined forces with the Church as two Missions, three chapels, two schools , the Town Missionary and the vicar of St Andrew the Less to fight it.
Dr Cooper, for Askham, presented a case in support suggesting that Askham’s theatre would not affect the New Theatre as Askham aimed to provide cheap rate theatrical entertainment for the masses. At that time the University had the power to prohibit theatrical events within a 15 mile radius and there was much concern that the morals of the young undergraduates might be corrupted by low class entertainment. If, in a year’s time, the Council felt that the theatre caused sin and vice, they could choose not to renew the licence.
When questioned Askham replied that he wished to attract the working classes, not the undergraduates. The Arcadia theatre, the Sturton Town Hall and the Barnwell Theatre had all closed so there was little entertainment for the masses. He had never seen any disorder or drinking in the Circus and, asked whether he knew beer when he saw it, he stated `I drink nothing else`
There had never been one complaint of the Circus of Varieties from any resident, and the applicant was of the opinion that the introduction of stage plays would make it a great deal more respectable. …
Do any women attend your entertainment?–I should think so,sir ; some of them do church and chapel.
From all parts of Barnwell?–Why Barnwell is as good as other places. They come from all places. I had one from South Africa there last night. …
CDN, 24 May 1902, p 3
The University objections were on the grounds that the dark surroundings of Midsummer Common would encourage any ‘weak-minded young men’ (presumably the undergraduates) ‘to be guilty of improprieties’ with the ‘loose characters who lived in the neighbourhood’ (CDN, 24 May 1902, p 3).
Mr Vawser of the Barnwell Mission felt that the theatre would ‘demoralise the neighbourhood’. Rev. Allen thought it would not raise the moral tone of the neighbourhood while Revd Jull thought it would be a moral danger to the people of the neighbourhood.
The power of the University and the Church and their concern over the low morals of the masses was too much and the application was rejecetd.
Addenda: Against: Dr Walker Fellow of Peterhouse and Senior University proctor
Mr W K Vawser (on council, also Barnwell Mission and new Theatre connections)
Rev. T K Allen, Vicar of St Andrew-the-less
Rev. J Jull, Minister Eden Baptist Chapel
The River Lane Mission
Rev. Harris Lloyd
Nelson-street morning School
Eden Street Chapel
Zion Chapel
The Ragged School,
The Town Missionary
Tenison Road Chapel
