Shakespeare floorboards could secure theatre's future

Abigail Rawlings (left) was at the theatre the day the floorboards were discovered

One of the oldest working theatres in the UK is hoping a rediscovered piece of history will help secure its future.

The only surviving stage on which William Shakespeare performed was unearthed at the St George's Guildhall in King's Lynn, Norfolk.

Simon Ring, of West Norfolk Borough Council, said he hoped the discovery would boost tourism and make residents proud of the town.

He said: "We are grinning from ear to ear, and so should King's Lynn."

The stretch of 15th Century floorboards were found under the existing auditorium and the theatre claims documents show the Bard acted at the venue with his company, the Earl of Pembroke's Men, in 1592 or 1593.

The St George's Theatre received £9m from the Levelling Up fund, which has been used to help make the discovery

Abigail Rawlings, project support officer at the theatre, said the historical findings were one of the best days at work.

She said: "As soon as that first board came off we knew what we were dealing with, we took off a few more and just we were all in silence, we were stunned... it was a dusty floor but to us that's one of the most exciting things we could ever have seen."

Councillor Ring, cabinet member for tourism and heritage, said the fact that Shakespeare performed there will bring national and international attention.

Simon Ring hopes the discovery has already given the theatre national and international fame

The theatre has received £9m from the government's Levelling Up fund, but the council said it hoped the famous floorboards would help secure cash from the National Lottery.

He said: "We have funding to develop the Guildhall and reinstate a lot of the features and develop its purpose but a lot more would mean we could take this to a new level - and secure this building for more generations to come."

He said he hoped it would propel projects at other historic buildings across Norfolk, including Castle Rising, the South Gates and the Customs House.

"We need more locals to understand how wonderful this town is... we need to be proud of it and if we can demonstrate that pride in what we have here then visitors will come," he said.