Roman Theatre, St Albans

Built around 140 AD within the Roman walled city of Verulamium, this is the only known Roman theatre with a stage (as opposed to an amphitheatre) in Britain. Originally used for religious processions, wrestling, and beast shows, the stage grew in prominence from 180 AD. By 300 AD, renovations expanded seating capacity to 2,000 spectators with excellent acoustics for dramatic performances. First excavated in 1847 and again in the 1930s by Kathleen Kenyon, the site also revealed surrounding shops occupied by blacksmiths and bronze workers.