Friargate Theatre

Housed in a 19th century building, formerly the home of the Friargate Wax Museum until its closure in 1996, Friargate Theatre opened in May 2000 with a production of Ben Jonson’s classic satire, The Alchemist. The theatre is owned and managed by Riding Lights Theatre Company which was founded in York over 30 years ago. In addition to an average of five professional productions a year, Riding Lights has a thriving youth theatre and a dedicated company for young people with special and additional needs. It takes innovative, accessible theatre into communities far and wide. The building features a 100-seat studio theatre on the first floor, a ground-floor rehearsal room which doubles as a 50-seat cafe-style performance space, administration and workshop space.