The last surviving stage used by William Shakespeare is at Nonsuch Park, it has been claimed

It is thought there are no stages Shakespeare would have used that still survive today. But a local historian says the bard is highly likely to have used this stage on the site of the Banqueting Hall in Nonsuch Park.

Gerald Smith, an expert on the history of Nonsuch Park says the Banqueting Hall, at the Ewell end of the park, would have featured an outside stage of the sort popular with The King's Men, the playing company in which Shakespeare was a member.

Nonsuch Park was a royal park at the time Shakespeare was active with the King's Men, formerly known as The Lord Chamberlain's Men, in the 16th and 17th centuries.

The park was often used as a hunting venue and the Banqueting Hall would have been used in the evenings for meals and entertainment.  

Mr Smith said: "As part of the entertainment they used to fetch companies down from London.

Different companies will have come down and it is entirely possible the King's men will have come.

"We can't say for sure, I don't think we will ever be able to, but there is a strong possibility Shakespeare could have performed there."

The Banqueting Hall no longer stands but Mr Smith said the stage would have been outside the hall, which would have acted as a decorative backdrop, facing west to catch light from the setting sun. he said the stage would have been on the raised area which still exists.

Councillor Mary Burstow called the prospect of Shakespeare having performed in the area "terribly exciting".

The revelation comes as a theatre group prepares to bring Shakespeare back to Nonsuch. The mayhem Musical Theatre Company will perform the bard's work Much Ado About Nothing there on July 17 and 18.

Tickets cost £13 or £10 for concessions and are available by calling 07976 872127 or visiting www.ticketsource.co.uk/mmtc or www.mayhemmusicaltheatrecompany.co.uk.