Netherton Arts Centre

Originally named the Netherton Institute, this building is a handsome, locally listed, Victorian public hall. Its foundation stone was laid by the Countess of Dudley on 5 July 1883. The building was in cinema use between 1910 and 1939 after which there was a short period of closure. It reopened after WWII as Netherton Arts Centre. The venue was operated by the council and hosted a range of professional and amateur performances, the mainstay of which was a popular repertory season by professional touring company, the Midland Theatre Company. When the Midland Theatre Company disbanded in 1955, Netherton Arts Centre became home to amateur groups, including Dudley Little Theatre that had also performed at the building’s civic opening on 20 October 1947. The building remained an active local venue used by amateur and community groups, including Dudley Little Theatre, until its closure in 2021.