Monument record 11330 - 18th century Puppet Theatre, Puppet Show Entry

Record of an 18th century marionette theatre sited along the former Puppet Show Entry. The theatre comprised a single large room capable of holding at least 100 people. The theatre exploded in 1772 when a sizeable store of gunpowder held in the warehouse below blew up killing 23 and injuring a further 83. (1)

It is said that the theatre was owned by a George Williams and was held at Eaton's Room below which 800 weight of gunpowder was stored. (2) The undercroft in which the gunpowder was held possessed walls 3ft thick which meant the main force of the explosion travelled straight up through the house above. (3)

The buildings to either side of the Puppet Show Entry were demolished in the late 19th century when a medieval crypt was recorded (CHER 10372) and again in the 20th century when the present modern office/shops were built (CHER 10487).

Note that (5) references Pennent and states that the warehouse in question was formerly part of the Carmelite Friary complex, and that the building was rented by a 'puppet show man'. This source also refers to a slightly higher number of casualties (5).

<1> Hughes, T., 1855, The Stranger's Handbook to Chester and its Environs, p57 (Book). SCH7031.

<2> Earwaker J P, 1898, The History of the Church & Parish of St Mary-on-the-Hill (Book). SCH3157.

<3> Hanshall, J. H., 1817-1823, The History of the County Palatine of Chester (Book). SCH1382.

<4> Tasker. W. W, 1918, Matthew Henry’s Chapel, p183 (Article in Journal). SCH5675.

<5> n/a, 1935, The White Friars of Chester (Article in Journal). SCH5678.