So you've convinced me. The University of Cambridge has probably the best equipped and most professionally run university theatre in the country, and it is run and maintained entirely for your benefit as a student in Cambridge. The Theatre runs roughly according to the University year - presenting eight or nine weeks of shows each term. Mainshows are almost all full-length plays or musicals, both old and new.
Late Shows can be comedy, short drama, dance or anything, really.
Almost all acting, design, technical and backstage work in these shows is done by students. The Amateur Dramatic Club was formed in 1855 by a group of gentlemen students of the University of Cambridge. In the face of considerable opposition from University authoritites they raised sufficient funds to buy the freehold on a small building on Park Street to use as a theatre in which to perform. The Club's fortunes varied over the years, seeing the theatre through the disasterous fire of 1933 and subsequent rebuilding until 1973 when, due to financial problems, the Club was practically bankrupt. The University stepped in and paid off the Club's debts, leasing the building from the Club for a shilling a year for 50 years.