Chowringhee Road. Theatre Road. Theatre

This lithograph is taken from plate 22 from William Wood's 'Views of Calcutta'.In the early 19th century, the grand houses of the lower Chowringhee area of Calcutta were a mix of private residences and government departments. This image shows the imposing theatre on the corner of Theatre Street and Lower Chowringhee Road. A working theatre from 1813, it was the principal theatrical venue in the city until it was destroyed by fire in 1839.

Interestingly, the female roles at the theatre were played by professional actresses but male roles were taken by amateurs, such as William Princep, whose memoirs describe his theatre work in detail, both as actor and set designer, and give us insights into the running of the building.