Today's Object of the Week is a model of the theatre that lit the comedy spark for a world-famous comedian.

A model of the Eden Theatre is one of several artworks now on display at an exhibition in the County Durham town where it once stood.

Once managed by Stan Laurel's father, Bishop Auckland's Eden Theatre has a history as colourful as its on-stage performances

Established as the New Royalty Theatre by William Bowerville Hargreaves, it later became the Masonic Music Hall, the Theatre Royal, and finally the Eden Theatre - a journey filled with drama paralleling its own productions.

The first lot for a theatre was rented in 1863 behind a beerhouse owned by spinster Charlotte Fairless. When Charlotte decided to sell, John Watson built a £600 music hall on the site.

Watson, a freemason, called his establishment the Masonic Music Hall.

Later in 1871, Alfred Sandy Boyd, a Scottish mason, erected a proper theatre beside it.

In a bid to serve the classes, one establishment catered to up-market plays while the other managed the low-brow music hall.

However, both services suffered, primarily due to poor management and the economic turbulence of the 1870s and 1880s.

The fortunes of the theatre turned in 1889 when it came under the management of Thomas M Thorne - and one Arthur "AJ" Jefferson.

The Northern Echo: Arthur AJ Jefferson, father of legendary comedian Stan, who ran The Eden Theatre in Bishop AucklandArthur AJ Jefferson, father of legendary comedian Stan, who ran The Eden Theatre in Bishop Auckland (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Jefferson - who came from Ulverston, in Cumbria, where he managed a tent theatre called Denville's Gaff - became the sole owner two years later.

He created an instant a PR success in Bishop by inviting children from the local workhouse to see the pantomime Little Bo Peep. 

But it turned into a small scandal, when three 11-year-old boys later ran away from the workhouse, pawned their boots in Shildon and ended up in Darlington - behaviour that was blamed on the malign influence of the theatre.

But the scales soon tipped back into AJ's favour when Lieutenant Colonel Sir William Eden -  who lived in Windlestone Hall, in Rushyford - graced the theatre with his distinguished presence in 1890.

The site's link to comedy legend Stan Laurel was cemented when AJ's wife Madge Metcalfe gave birth to their second child, named Arthur Stanley Jefferson, in Ulverton - when Madge had returned to stay with her parents - on June 16, 1890.

The world came to recognise the baby as Stan Laurel.

The Northern Echo: Stan Laurel, centre, with his father, Arthur Jefferson and his stepmother, VenetiaStan Laurel, centre, with his father, Arthur Jefferson and his stepmother, Venetia (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Madge returned to Bishop to resume her career but baby Stanley - a sickly child - stayed with his grandparents. In the autumn of 1891 he was well enough to join his family who lived close to the theatre in 66 Princes Street, Bishop Auckland, and spent some of his childhood years in the town.

In the summer of 1892 Sir William, a passionate patron of the arts,  allowed his name to be associated with the theatre - and so AJ renamed it the Eden Theatre.

His endorsement lent a fresh sense of respectability, which AJ capitalised upon by redecorating the venue and extending its capacity to 200 people.

Renowned West End actress Kate Vaughan made an unforgettable appearance in AJ's newly refurbished theatre, while orchestrated spectacles such as a horse-dog race topped off the theatre's lively repertoire.

After progressing to larger establishments, AJ announced in 1896 that the Jefferson family would leave the Eden Theatre. They were to move to North Shields to concentrate on AJ's Northumbrian theatres and where they would live together properly as a family.

The Northern Echo: The Eden Theatre in Bishop Auckland shortly before it was demolished in 1974The Eden Theatre in Bishop Auckland shortly before it was demolished in 1974 (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Read about some previous Objects of the Week here:

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The Eden Theatre was the main theatre in Bishop Auckland for many years, but it did have some use as a cinema. It was taken over by the Newcastle based Essoldo group of cinemas in 1947, operate it as a theatre, with some cinema use.

The Eden Theatre was finally closed in 1963. It became a bingo club until 1969 then remained empty and unused for five years before it was demolished in 1974.

Today there is a plaque on a wall commemorating the site of the theatre.

  • The Open Call Exhibition, which includes the theatre model, is on show in Bishop Auckland Town Hall’s gallery from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday (excluding bank holidays), until Saturday, February 17. Admission is free.