Derby Theatre

Derby Theatre stands inside the Derbion shopping centre in the centre of Derby. The building was designed by Roderick Ham, who had already created the Thorndike Theatre in Leatherhead. It opened in 1975 as the Derby Playhouse with a 531-seat main auditorium and a smaller studio space. The theatre was run by Derby Playhouse Ltd until financial difficulties led to its closure in 2008. After a year’s closure it reopened in 2009 under the University of Derby, which still owns and operates it today. The theatre is worth visiting because it combines professional productions with training for students. The University of Derby uses the building as both a working theatre and a learning space for performers and technicians. Arts Council England has provided grants totalling over £1 million to support its learning programmes. The theatre has also won awards for its partnership with the university and for productions such as Blanche McIntyre’s direction of The Seagull. Inside, visitors find the main auditorium with its refurbished seating and carpets. The smaller studio theatre seats 110 people and hosts new writing and community shows. Rehearsal rooms and wardrobe departments occupy the restored Arts College and Metro Cinema building nearby. Productions range from classic plays to family shows and touring musicals. The Christmas season regularly features an adaptation of a well-known children’s story.