Daneside Theatre

Daneside Theatre stands in the market town of Congleton in Cheshire. It was built in 1984 on the site of the old open-air swimming baths, part of the Daneside Leisure Development. The theatre replaced the Players Hall on Eaton’s Bank, which closed when the Mountbatten Way relief road was constructed. Local people raised money by naming seats after family members. The first sod was cut on 4 October 1980 and the theatre opened on 3 October 1984 with a production called Curtain Up. The theatre is used by several local dramatic and musical societies. The Congleton Players Amateur Theatre Club and Congleton Musical Theatre both stage regular shows there. The Congleton Gang Show, formed in 1972, performs every two years. A donated projector from Barclays Bank allowed the theatre to begin film screenings, with Desperately Seeking Susan shown first. The theatre has also hosted visits from local MPs and mayors. A major refurbishment in 1997 added a foyer and disabled toilets. In 1998 an arson attack destroyed props stored in containers outside. The building was expanded in 2001, adding rehearsal rooms, a meeting room and extra storage. The Congleton Players and other groups continue to use the theatre for performances and rehearsals.