Yorkshire Philosophical Society

Event Information

In 1734 Thomas Keregan, one of the Duke of Norfolk’s men and an actor, founded the original theatre in Minster Yard. Theatre was banned by order of the Puritan Parliament and was not legally established until Charles II granted Royal patents to two theatres.   Thomas Keregan died in 1740 and his wife rebuilt the theatre in its present position, on the site of the 12th century St Leonard’s Hospitium. Remains can be seen in the Keregan Room.   Tate Wilkinson took over in 1769 and brought respectability to the company by buying a Royal patent for £500 which meant that actors could now perform legally.