Unveiling the Hidden Stage at Soulton Hall
James D. Wenn, a consultant at Byrga Geniht Ltd., has recently set out insights into the hidden meanings embedded within the architecture of Soulton Hall, the historic residence of Sir Rowland Hill.
This blog post, the first of three concerning linked themes (this one is next), explores Mr. Wenn’s research on the theatrical references encoded within Soulton Hall’s design.
Mr. Wenn’s emphasizes the historical understanding, particularly amongst the ancient Greeks, that medicine and theatre were closely intertwined disciplines.
This connection, in turn, linked both practices to the divine.
Here we are concerned with theatrical references, specifically focusing on a connection to the ancient theatre at Epidaurus.
Mr. Wenn shows how Soulton Hall’s central court strongly implies a Tudor performance space, with a strong association to the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus. He explains how that central square of the nine grid precinct shows a chorus location, while the hall itself functioned as a backdrop, framing a stage positioned just below the eastern façade.
This image depicts a scholarly reconstruction of Soulton Hall, highlighting its architectural elements inspired by the ancient theater of Epidaurus. The yellow lines trace these features, revealing the Rowland Hill’s homage to the renowned Greek structure.
For a complete understanding of Mr. Wenn’s argument, we encourage readers to view the accompanying video. This visual resource allows for a deeper exploration of the intricate details Mr. Wenn meticulously unpacks.
Part 1: A Foundation Laid
This blog post asks you to look at theatrical references woven into the design of Soulton Hall.
In the upcoming second part, we will look at the medical symbolism Mr. Wenn identifies -testament to the interconnectedness of these disciplines in the early modern worldview.
