Vokes Theatre

The theatre is located on the estate of Herford and her husband, Sidney Hayward.

[1] Herford built the theatre as a tribute to the London music halls that were typical for monologist's performances and in 1946, Herford donated the theatre to the Vokes Players, a local non-profit group.

Rather, Herford would invite her friends, who included leading actors on the English-speaking stage, singers, New England artists, and others (it was an eclectic mix) to be her guests at her estate in Wayland.

A wall exists showing the signatures of some of those who came to Wayland including Ellen Terry, George Arliss, Florence Arliss, Katharine Cornell; the house archives show that other guests included diva Geraldine Farrar, and actors Ethel Barrymore, John Drew, Nora Bayes, and others.

From 1937, the Vokes Players have evolved into one of the premier community theater companies in New England, drawing many artists who work professionally in theater elsewhere.