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Cinema, Theatre & The Arts
Cheltenham is blessed with a whole host of theatres, cinemas and venues, that provide a packed calendar of performances all year round. Many also support our enviable Festival programme, and in fact during our Festival weeks, we get a whole host of pop-up venues too. From classics to comedy, musicals to mystery, play to pantomime, Cheltenham is blessed with a unique programme; not only that but many of the theatres also offer architectural wonders too.
Some of the main theatres and entertainment venues include:
Home to a theatre designed by reknowned architect Frank Matcham, and another that was once a Regency Spa, Cheltenham boasts a variety of fantastic venues, from the historic to the purpose built. With a variety of fantastic venues across the town, Cheltenham is spoilt for the year-round schedule of fantastic theatre performances on offer.
The Everyman Theatre, a Grade II listed building designed by Frank Matcham opened in October 1891 with a performance by Lilly Langtry in 'Lady Clancarty', and is described as an "architectural masterpiece". It is believed to be the oldest surviving complete Frank Matcham theatre, originally opened as the New Theatre and renamed as The Everyman Theatre in 1960. Cheltenham Town Hall is host to a year-round hive of activity and entertainment, offering not just theatre, but functions, festivals, exhibitions and performing arts. It was built at the turn of the twentieth century to accommodate many of the town's balls and social events - it was, quite literally built for celebrations! It incorporates the Regency Cafe and Imperial Garden Bar. Now, the two venues - which are worth a visit in their own right - host West End productions and famous names, alongside musicals, traditional Christmas panto, comedy, live bands, famous faces and children's productions.
The Bacon Theatre is set in the grounds of Dean Close School and, completed in 1991, is Cheltenham's most contemporary venue. Dean Close s also home to an original outdoor Amphitheatre which hosts a small number of plays each year, and the Prince Michael's Hall which is an intimate music hall. With free on-site parking and reasonable ticket prices, it offers a quality yet affordable experience.
The Screening Rooms are located within The Brewery Quarter and offer a contemporary alternative to a traditional cinema. With a meet and greet from the Concierge it's somewhere a little bit special, and also a great place to meet friends for drinks too. You can even get your meal brought to your seat! They are located within the same complex as Cineworld, an 11-screen state of the art cinema showing the latest movie releases, and a brand new IMAX screen to give that all round movie experience. With plenty of nearby parking and a variety of restaurants and bars within easy reach, it's a great place for an evening out with friends or the family.
Whether it’s an evening performance with friends or a loved one, or a matinee performance with the family or as part of a group visit to Cheltenham, not a day goes by when there isn’t a theatre performance going on somewhere!
If it’s comedy you enjoy, this year we look forward to welcoming the likes of Jason Manford, Rob Brydon, David Mitchell and Lee Mack, Sarah Millican and Joel Dommett. We also see some of the country’s best tribute acts including The Rocket Man – A Tribute to Elton John, Rumours Fleetwood Mac, The Dire Straits Experience and The Bootleg Beatles, as well as Musicals from Hairspray to Blood Brothers.
During school holidays there are always plenty of children’s theatre performances such as Dear Zoo, Sing-a-Long Beauty and The Beast and David Walliams’ Gansta Granny! Of course, every year The Everyman Theatre is host to the annual Christmas Pantomime, which has been announced for this year as Aladdin. It’s curtains up on 30th November and tickets are already on sale, so don’t miss out!
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