Grove Theatre

Located in the town centre Grove Park, the Grove Theatre was opened in April 2007, designed by Glenn Howells Architects, main consultants TheatrePlan LLP, built by SDC Construction.
At ground level there is a very spacious box office, extending to the stalls bar, ample floor space and seating provided. Above this is an equivalent circle foyer, also with a bar. The auditorium seats 780 in a horseshoe configuration on three levels, raked stalls with a raised rear and side stalls, and circle, also with side seats in stepped and projecting boxes extending down to the unstressed proscenium. Interior consultants were Arts Architecture International and fitting out was largely by Richardson & Peat. Balcony fronts are slatted hardwood, tip-up seating is used throughout is a shade of grey, with accented walls painted red. There is a dark, unstressed proscenium arch with a lift in front which can be configured as an orchestra pit, forestage or at stalls level for seating. The stage is large, designed for drama, musicals and community events, the main stalls seating is retractable in under 2 hours to allow the capacity to be increased to 1,000 in a part seated, part standing format. At the rear of the stage is a large scene dock an excellent access to facilitate loading. There are four principal dressing rooms at ground floor level, 2 large chorus rooms at 1st floor, and a green room on the 2nd floor, all fully accessible.The theatre maintains a largely touring schedule with film (digital) when there is no live show (large screen flown).