Stoke-on-Trent Repertory Theatre
| Stoke-on-Trent Repertory Theatre | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Address | Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2TR |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 53°0′45″N 2°10′18″W / 53.01250°N 2.17167°W |
| Opened | 1997 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Hulme Upright and Partners |
| Website | |
| https://stokerep.info/ | |
Stoke-on-Trent Repertory Theatre is a theatre in Stoke-on-Trent, England. It opened in 1997.
The Stoke Repertory Theatre Players present a season of plays each year. The theatre is also a venue for local dance, drama and musical theatre companies.
History
[edit]Stoke Repertory Theatre Players
[edit]A group of amateur actors and actresses in Stoke-on-Trent met in 1920 to stage the play Caste by T. W. Robertson, which they performed in February 1921 at the Empire Theatre, Longton. They later created a theatre, converted from a mission church in Beresford Street in Shelton; it opened in March 1933 with the play Lean Harvest by Ronald Jeans. They subsequently presented a season of varied plays each year. The theatre in Beresford Street closed in May 1997.[1]
New theatre
[edit]In 1992 the Stoke Repertory Theatre Players were on the verge of purchasing the former Empire Theatre in Longton where the group had performed some years prior, more recently converted into a bingo hall. There were plans to renovate the building back to its original state as a theatre. On New Year's Eve 1992, days before the purchase was due to be completed, the building was destroyed by fire.[2][3]
The building of the new theatre was subsequently proposed to replace the deteriorating theatre in Shelton. Funds received for the project included donations from local businesses, and a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund. The theatre was designed by Hulme Upright and Partners. It opened in November 1997, with a production of Noises Off by Michael Frayn.[1]
The theatre today
[edit]The theatre seats 250. The Rep is a limited company with charitable status, and is staffed by volunteers. The theatre normally presents during the year a season of six plays. It is also hired by local dance, drama and musical theatre companies.[4][5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "The Repertory Players 1920–2017". Rep at 20. Stoke-on-Trent Repertory Theatre. (Brochure for 2017–2018)
- ^ "Repertory" Theatres Trust. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
- ^ "Empire Theatre" Theatres Trust. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
- ^ "About" Stoke-on-Trent Repertory Theatre. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ "Stoke Repertory Theatre" Visit Stoke. Retrieved 28 October 2020.