Pioneering Theatre-in-the-Round

Offering a comprehensive examination into the Victoria Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent under its then director Peter Cheeseman, this book provides the first detailed history of a theatre-in-the-round and demonstrates its profound influence on the careers of prominent actors, directors, and writers throughout the UK.

As the longest serving director of a regional theatre and creator of verbatim theatre, Peter Cheeseman’s contribution to the arts is undeniable. He was a pioneering director, having been described as ‘the most influential practitioner of theatre-in-the-round’, and yet his contribution has not received the attention it warrants. This book offers a comprehensive critical history of Cheeseman’s work at the Victoria Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent and of the establishment of Europe’s first theatre-in-the-round in the industrial region of 1960s Staffordshire.

Offering an initial explanation of the formative years of the theatre under Cheeseman, right up until the establishment of the New Vic in 1986, Pioneering Theatre-in-the-Round provides a fascinating insight into the importance of the work that took place under Cheeseman’s direction. It addresses his innovation of the documentary style, and the theatre’s commitment to its regional audience, as well as its development of new writers and theatre for children.

The book also offers a detailed exploration of the building of Europe’s first permanent theatre-in-the-round, the New Vic. Drawing on largely untouched archival resources and original interview material, the book recovers Cheeseman's significance, the formation of theatre-in-the-round at the Victoria Theatre, and highlights the significance of work taking place in theatres outside London during the period 1962-1986.