Repertory Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent

Stoke-on-Trent Repertory Theatre stands in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent, a city shaped by its pottery industry. The building opened in 1997 to replace an earlier theatre in Shelton that had served the community since 1933. Before that, amateur actors had staged plays in a converted mission church. The current theatre was designed by Hulme Upright and Partners after plans to restore an old Empire Theatre ended in fire. It now hosts productions by the Stoke Rep Players and visiting companies. The theatre is worth the journey because it carries a century of local theatre tradition. The Stoke Repertory Players began in 1920 with a production of T. W. Robertson’s Caste. Their first purpose-built home opened in 1933 with Ronald Jeans’s Lean Harvest. The new theatre was built with help from local businesses and a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund. Today it remains a lively venue for drama, dance and music. Inside, the auditorium seats 235 and is run by volunteers. Five plays are produced each year by the in-house company. The stage is also hired by visiting groups throughout the year. The theatre keeps the tradition alive while welcoming new audiences to its performances.