The Cheltenham Playhouse Theatre

Playhouse started life as the Henry Thompson's Montpellier Baths in 1806 and quickly became a highly fashionable venue at which the waters could be enjoyed. The Baths maintained their prominent status for nearly a century. In March 1898 the medicinal baths were purchased by the Cheltenham Corporation and later converted to a swimming pool and slipper baths. The tiled swimming pool still exists beneath the floor of the main auditorium and serves as a store for stage rostra and other theatrical properties. In 1945, just before the end of the Second World War, an enlightened Cheltenham Council recognised the lack of facilities in Cheltenham for the expression of drama and converted the swimming pool, which had become rather drab, into a cheerful and intimate theatre. Despite the post war shortages of labour and materials, the cultural needs of Cheltenham won through and a new Theatre was born...

Today's 'Playhouse Cheltenham' is a community theatre. It is a registered charity and has been run by volunteers since 1957. For 60 years, the people of Cheltenham have enjoyed the notable facility of their own theatre. The Playhouse is owned by the Cheltenham Borough Council but the management of the building and its activities are undertaken entirely voluntarily. The Playhouse Theatre Cheltenham, which leases the building from the Council, has currently around 200 members who are represented by an elected committee which administers the facilities of the building.

It is in the evenings that the theatre comes alive; performances to the general public change every other week, groups utilise rehearsal rooms to work on their current productions, members meet to plan and design future shows, backstage crews construct and paint scenery and those members not actually involved in a show may meet for a social drink in the members' club bar. The Cheltenham Playhouse Theatre is indeed a thriving and important amenity to the people of Cheltenham. It gives pleasure to literally thousands of people who regularly demonstrate their support by continuing to enjoy the performances staged here. Truly this is Cheltenham's own Theatre, managed, supported and maintained by the people of Cheltenham, for the people of Cheltenham.

Visit the official site of The Playhouse Theatre HERE.