The Theatre Chipping Norton

The Theatre Chipping Norton stands in the Oxfordshire town of Chipping Norton. It began life in 1888 as a Salvation Army citadel before becoming a furniture warehouse. In 1968 two actors from the Royal Shakespeare Company bought the building and turned it into a theatre. Fundraising started in 1973 and the theatre opened in 1975. Over the years it has added a bar, gallery, green rooms, offices and rehearsal space. A major refurbishment in 1996 with Arts Council England support refreshed the building. The theatre produces its own shows and hosts touring companies. In 2016 it co-produced a 20th-anniversary touring version of Stones in His Pockets with The Dukes. Each year it stages an original traditional family pantomime. There are usually around one hundred performances annually. Graeme Garden, formerly of The Goody and I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue panels, wrote several pantomimes for the theatre in the 1980s. Visitors find a proscenium arch theatre with 217 seats in stalls and balcony. The auditorium retains its original character while offering modern comforts. The bar serves drinks and light refreshments. The gallery hosts exhibitions of visual art. The building’s adjoining spaces provide foyers and rehearsal areas. Outside, Chipping Norton’s market square and local shops are close at hand.