Complex sentence: Craig and Shaw decided to rent lodgings near Nannie Dryhurst while they prepared their first production, and moved into a house at 8 Downshire Hill which was to serve as their living quarters, studio, and the offices of the Purcell Operatic Society.
Split into simpler sentences: Craig and Shaw decided to rent lodgings near Nannie Dryhurst while they prepared their first production. The house at 8 Downshire Hill was to serve as their living quarters, studio, and the offices of the Purcell Operatic Society.