| Stoke-on-Trent Repertory Theatre | |
|---|---|
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 Interactive map of Stoke-on-Trent Repertory Theatre | |
| General information | |
| Location | Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2TR, United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 53°0′45″N2°10′18″W / 53.01250°N 2.17167°W /53.01250; -2.17167 |
| Opened | 1997 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architects | Hulme Upright and Partners |
| Website | |
| https://stokerep.co.uk/ | |
Stoke-on-Trent Repertory Theatre is a theatre inStoke-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.
A group of amateur actors and actresses in Stoke-on-Trent met in 1920 to stage the playCaste byT. W. Robertson, which they performed in February 1921 at theEmpire Theatre, Longton. They later created a theatre, converted from a mission church in Beresford Street inShelton; it opened in March 1933 with the playLean Harvest byRonald Jeans. They subsequently presented a season of varied plays each year. The theatre in Beresford Street closed in May 1997.[1]
In 1992 the Stoke Repertory 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 theNational Lottery Community Fund. The theatre was designed by Hulme Upright and Partners. It opened in November 1997, with a production ofNoises Off byMichael Frayn.[1]
The theatre seats 235. The Rep is a limited company with charitable status, and is staffed by volunteers. The theatre presents five plays per year produced by the in-house Stoke Rep Players but it is also hired by local dance, drama, musicians and musical theatre companies and is busy throughout the year.[4][5]