Pomegranate Theatre, Chesterfield

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The Pomegranate is a delightful Victorian 546-seat proscenium arch theatre housed in the Grade II listed [George] Stephenson Memorial Hall. Established in 1949 this is the country’s oldest civic theatre with Chesterfield Borough Council continuing the proud tradition of providing a year round programme of professional touring theatre and high quality local amateur productions.

The George Stephenson Memorial Hall, which now houses Chesterfield’s Pomegranate Theatre and Museum, was opened in 1879 as a tribute to one of the town’s most famous residents and remained in private hands until 1889 when it was purchased by Chesterfield Corporation. The addition of a ’fly’ tower and dressing rooms in 1904 created the building we know today and expanded its possible uses. Leased for many years to a cinema company it became known to regular filmgoers as ‘The Ranch-house’. Chesterfield Council became the first local authority to take advantage of new regulations allowing them to fund a permanent professional theatre and Britain’s first Civic Theatre opened on February 19th 1949. Repertory Seasons continued until the end of March 1981 and in February 1982 Chesterfield Theatre Limited came into being with its policy of housing incoming touring companies. In June of the same year, following a public appeal for suggestions, the Civic became the Pomegranate Theatre.

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External Links

http://www.pomegranatetheatre.co.uk

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