The Bradleian Theatre

The Bradleian is named after George Bradley who was appointed to succeed Bishop Cotton as Master of Marlborough in 1858. Today, it is a theatre and home to the Drama Department although this was not its original function.

 
The Changing Face of the Bradleian
A Note on George Bradley
 
 

The Changing Face of the Bradleian

The Bradleian and part of its adjacent arches were built between 1871 and 1873 as a result of an appeal to create a fitting memorial to George Bradley`s achievements at Marlborough. The sum of about £1,000 was raised and the Hall was opened with a dinner on December 22nd, 1873.

The Bradleian was first used as a place of study for scholars and later on functioned as a History Library and as a room for debates and lectures.

From 1874 the building was also used for the so-called Penny Readings. These were entertainments organised by the boys during which pennies would be thrown onto the stage while the Senior Prefect gave a dramatic reading.

In 1958 The Bradleian was converted into a small theatre – an appropriate use, perhaps, since the Penny Readings were to evolve into the major theatrical production of the Lent Term.

The Bradleian Theatre was much used for the staging of house plays during the period 1960-1990. 

During the 1990s it was given a major face-lift and an extra building was added onto its eastern side. It is now a modern and flexible drama workshop and theatre in which much of the work of the Theatre Studies Department is centred.

A Note on George Bradley

George Bradley was a charismatic leader and a teacher of the highest quality. When Lord Tennyson sent his son, Hallam, to the College in 1866, he was quoted as saying, “I sent my son to Bradley rather than to Marlborough!”

By the time Bradley left Marlborough in 1870 to become Master of University College Oxford, he had ensured that Marlborough`s reputation both for scholarship and as a progressive school was universally acknowledged and admired.

George Bradley's initials may be seen high up on the north gable, while, a little below these and on the same wall is an angel which was moved from the Old Chapel when it was demolished in 1884.