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The Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company was established in 1908 as the British Empire Shakespeare Society (Derby branch) and has performed every year since, except when prevented by the two world wars.

Its venues have included the Temperance Hall and Railway Institute, the Grand Theatre from 1927-39 and the old Playhouse from 1958-73. All the pre-war productions were directed by George Revill, either on his own or with someone else.

In 1949, one of Derby’s most famous sons, Alan Bates, performed with the company.

Due to a fire at its rehearsal room on Friar Gate, the society moved to a new home on Kedleston Road in 1964, named Shakespeare House, which is still in use today. It also changed its name to the Derby Shakespeare Society.

With the closure of the old Playhouse, performances moved to the Guildhall and then back to the new Playhouse in 1987.

In 1979, the society became the Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company and began doing outdoor performances, including ones at the superb Minack Theatre in Cornwall, where it will be returning next year with Henry V to celebrate the company’s centenary, as well as performing King Lear at the Guildhall Theatre in February.

• The last of the Shakespearean Lauries recalls her family's love affair with the Bard

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County:  Derbyshire