Community theatre hire
Bring your production to our professional stage
We proudly welcome local community performance groups, dance schools, and amateur dramatics societies to share the magic of our professional stage. As one of the longest surviving cine‑variety theatres of its kind in the UK, our gorgeous Edwardian auditorium offers an unmatched atmosphere for performers and audiences alike.
The Auditorium at a glance
- Capacity: Seats up to 400 audience members across two beautifully designed levels (Stalls and Circle).
- Backstage: Includes three dressing rooms as standard (accommodating up to 16 performers). If you have a larger cast, our backstage Meeting Room can be hired as an additional dressing room.
- Cast limits: Maximum capacity of 100 people on stage at any one time, with a total limit of 120 people allowed across the stage and backstage areas combined.
Two ways to work with us
To make our theatre accessible to local talent, we offer two distinct pathways for community performances:
- Independent venue hire: You hire the auditorium at our heavily discounted community rate and independently manage and promote your own show.
- Community partnership: For groups with whom we have an established relationship, we can co-promote the event with you, sharing both the ticket proceeds and the risks via a negotiated box office split.
In both scenarios, your tickets will be sold securely through our professional box office system, and your show will be featured on our website and in our seasonal print listings (subject to copy deadlines).
Theatre hire pricing (From 1st April 2026)
Rates are for up to 12 hours of use and exclude VAT. Basic hire includes essential front‑of‑house, bar, box office, and safe building staff.
| Hire type | Mon – Thu (max. 12 hours) | Fri – Sun & Bank Hols (max. 12 hours) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Hire (Commercial) | £1,800 | £2,400 |
| Community Hire (25% Charity Discount) | £1,350 | £1,800 |
| Loyalty Hire (30% Discount for 5+ days a year) | £1,260 | £1,680 |
Extra show fee: £250 + VAT for each additional performance beyond one per day.
Overtime: £100 + VAT for every half‑hour utilised beyond the initial 12 hours.
Non-ticketed events: Free or non‑ticketed community shows are subject to an additional £500 + VAT fee per performance to balance lost restoration levy funding.
Meeting Room add‑on
To add‑on the Meeting Room as an additional dressing room space the following additional charges apply, excluding VAT.
| Meeting Room add-on | Mon – Thu (max. 12 hours) | Fri – Sun & Bank Hols (max. 12 hours) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Hire (Commercial) | £280 | £350 |
| Community Hire (25% Charity Discount) | £210 | £260 |
| Loyalty Hire (30% Discount for 5+ days a year) | £195 | £245 |
Technical infrastructure & ticketing notes
Your basic hire includes two venue technicians for your initial get‑in and first‑day setup, alongside a Duty Technician and a Front of House Duty Manager for performances.
Please note that our Duty Technician is there to ensure building safety and guide your team, rather than operate your show. If you require our technical staff to actively program or run your lighting and sound, or if you need an advanced, custom lighting rig, additional charges will apply.
Ticketing fees: To cover our administrative and heritage preservation costs, all public ticket prices include an integrated £1 booking fee and a £2 restoration levy. These are seamlessly deducted before your final box office settlement, meaning no surprise credit card or commission fees are passed on to you.
