The Playhouse is a theatre in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, England. It is a Grade II listed Georgian building dating from 1820.

Venue: Playhouse
Address: 54 Westgate (Playhouse Yard), Sleaford, Lincolnshire, NG34 7PP, England
Town: Sleaford, GB

The Playhouse is a theatre in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, England. It is a Grade II listed Georgian building dating from 1820. The building became a school in the 1850s, and after serving several other purposes reopened as a theatre in 2000. The Grade II listed Playhouse started life as a theatre and was built for Joseph Close Smedley (1784-1863) manager of a number of theatres in Lincolnshire and the surrounding counties. His first visit to Sleaford was about 1814. He had trained as a lawyer. In May 1803 whilst they were members of Thomas Shaftoe Robertson's Lincoln company he had married the actress Melinda Bullen (1781-1870) in the actors' church of St.Peter Mancroft in Norwich. They had at least nine children, Melinda, Anna and Joseph joined them on stage or in the theatre. Some of the other towns on the circuit included at various times Alford, Bourne, Caistor, Folkingham, Grimsby, Holbeach, Holden, March (also built for him), Melton Mowbray, Mildenhall, Southwell and Upwell. At least one earlier theatre existed in Sleaford, before Smedley had even visited the town, Mr.J. Sims brought a company in November 1806 to open the theatre on 1 December with The Soldier's Daughter and The Wags of Windsor. Mr Smedley announced the opening of the 1826 season at the New Theatre on Monday 26 March 1826 with the Comedy of Speed the Plough and My Spouse and I. Days of Playing, Monday, Wednesday & Friday. The 1827 season opened for a fortnight on Monday 16 April with the comedy A Bold Stroke for a Husband and The Forty Thieves, Paul Pry and The Liar on Wednesday, and Romeo and Juliet with Return'd Killed on Friday. The newspaper report for the April start of the 1828 season stated "It is nearly 14 years since Mr. Smedley first managed the theatre in this town". The Stamford Mercury of Friday 20 May 1836 carried an advert. THEATRE, SLEAFORD.- For Three Weeks only. On Saturday Evening, May 21st, at Half-price (for that night only), GEORGE BARNWELL, and the SPECTRE BRIDEGROOM. On Mon