MADS Theatre

MADS Theatre stands in Macclesfield, Cheshire, on the site of a former Sunday School built in 1822. The building still shows the date of that first structure above its main entrance. Founded in 1947, the theatre has staged hundreds of productions over the decades. In 1976 it moved to the ground floor to meet fire regulations. A full rebuild followed, completed in 1984 when Nicholas Winterton MP reopened the theatre. The company is known for ambitious stagings of classic plays. In 2016 it presented six short works by Tennessee Williams. That same year it took part in the Barnaby Festival. At the 2016 British All Winners Drama Festival its adaptation of The Hound of the Baskervilles won two trophies. In 2017 its production of Jerusalem won best production at the Greater Manchester Drama Festival. Former members include Marshall Lancaster and Jonathon Morris. Visitors find a single auditorium with modern staging equipment and comfortable seating. The interior keeps the original 1822 inscription above the entrance. The stage hosts plays, readings and community events throughout the year. The theatre sits on Lord Street, close to Macclesfield’s town centre. Its programme balances well-known titles with fresh local talent.