North West

Greater Manchester

• Bolton Octagon Theatre

  At a time when many regional theatres struggle for audiences, the Octagon is seeing an upward trend in visitor numbers. The Octagon usually has two seasons of shows per year, as well as the best of the UK’s touring companies, including children’s theatre and stand-up comedy and exhibits art installations in the bar.

  
• Contact Theatre

  Contact is a young people’s theatre. Participation is at the heart of its work, and it runs a huge range of activities where young people and artists can join in, learn and develop. These activities range from outreach projects with a wide range of communities, to drop in sessions, to intensive artistic development programmes such as Young Actors and Young Writers groups.

  
  
• Didsbury Studio Theatre

  Studio theatre with retractable seats and a capacity of 75. Can be hired by both professional and amateur groups.

• Doo Cot

  Founded in 1991, doo-cot is a collaboration between puppeteer Nenagh Watson and painter Rachael Field.

  
  
• Feelgood Theatre Productions

  Feelgood is renowned for innovative productions at traditional and site-specific venues. (Often found hanging around local parks).

• Gorse Hill

  Gorse Hill Studios is a creative space for young people, offering exciting activities in music and the arts.

• Greenroom

  Greenroom is a leading centre for contemporary performance, developing and presenting new creative talent in live art, contemporary dance, theatre, spoken word and performance for the very young.

  
  
• GW Theatre Company

  With over 18 years of experience, this touring company has a reputation for producing theatrically inventive drama that tackles pressing social issues with passion and humour. To date over 400,000 people have seen the company perform in 22 different productions.

• Library Theatre

  One of the oldest continuously performing repertory theatre companies in the UK, established in 1952. Housed in an intimate 312-seat theatre in the basement of the city’s historic central library. The theatre also stages visits from some of the country’s leading touring theatre companies, and one-off poetry, literature, and comedy events.

• LipService Theatre Company

  LipService produces original comedies for the stage, which tour both nationally in the UK and internationally. The company has a commitment to giving hands-on technical experience to young people who want a foot on the employment ladder.

• M6 Theatre Company

  Rochdale-based M6 reaches over 15,000 young people a year, touring to schools, community centres and arts venues throughout the north west and beyond. M6 launched its own studio theatre in 2004.

• Oldham Coliseum Theatre

  Located in the heart of Oldham, the Coliseum Theatre has both an intimate 585-seat auditorium and a smaller studio space for more contemporary plays. Patrons of the theatre love the old world quality of the building.

  
  
• Palace Theatre and Opera House

  Two top provincial touring venues, now owned by Live Nation. The Palace opened in 1891 and has a capacity of 2,600. The Opera House has a similar capacity and has stood on Quay Street since 1912.

• Peshkar Productions

  Peshkar exists to push the boundaries of young British Asian Theatre. It is the north west's leading theatre and production company specialising in new writing experiences with a uniquely young British Asian voice. Young Peshkar youth groups for ages 7-25, including female only sessions, meet weekly in Oldham.

• Pigeon Theatre

  Pigeon Theatre is a highly physical, theatrical performance company. Firmly based in a devised theatre tradition, Pigeon Theatre's work also crosses boundaries with dance and live art and is based on bodily interaction between performers and spectators.

• Quarantine

  Quarantine has fast developed a reputation as one of the most distinctive creators of new theatre in Britain.

  
  
• Rasa Theatre

  Rasa develops and produces new narrative drama that explores complex cultural, social and political issues and shows that every personal story, cultural ritual or unfamiliar history has a universal resonance.

• Rocket Theatre Company

  Rocket Theatre was established in 1995 and has won several Manchester Evening News theatre awards for its innovative shows.

• Royal Exchange Theatre

  The Exchange's seven-sided steel and glass theatre module squats within the Great Hall of a former cotton exchange. It can seat up to 700 people on three levels, making it the largest theatre in the round in Britain. There is also a 120-seater studio theatre. The theatre was greatly damaged by an IRA bomb in 1996 and took over two years to refurbish. Royal Exchange has produced produced 118 new plays since 1976.

  
• Salford Studio

  Studio Salford is an umbrella group representing and promoting several theatre companies, raising the profile of Salford as a viable artistic location and promoting artists from all over Salford and Manchester. Its performance venue is the intimate and unique space upstairs at The King's Arms.

• Stockport Plaza

  A unique 75-year-old Grade II*-listed building which houses a theatre and cinema. Operated as a bingo hall from the 60s until 2000, when it was bought by Stockport Plaza Trust, which is currently operating the theatre and has massive refurbishment plans in mind.

• The Dancehouse

  The Dancehouse Theatre and its sister company The Northern Ballet School have brought a mix of comedy, dance, music and drama to audiences across the North West since 1994.

• The Lowry

  Set in a magnificent waterside location at the heart of the redeveloped Salford Quays in Greater Manchester, The Lowry is an architectural flagship. The Lowry opened in 2000, bringing together a wide variety of performing and visual arts under one roof.

  
• The Met, Bury

  The Met presents contemporary and classic theatre, music and comedy touring nationally and internationally. Audiences at The Met have enjoyed a pre-Partridge Steve Coogan, legendary performances by Joy Division and The Pixies, pre-Elbow Elbow and pre-Hollywood Lee Evans.

• TiPP

  TiPP works with theatre to engage with a diverse range of groups including young people at risk of offending, adult drug users and adult prisoners.

• Waterside Arts Centre

  The site of Waterside Arts Centre was originally Sale Civic Theatre which was an important facility for residents of Sale and Trafford. The centre was rebuilt and updated and was 10 years in the planning, Waterside is now seen as a major touring venue for visual and performing arts, whilst offering a wide range of resources to the local community.

  
  
• Zion Arts

  Zion Arts is a youth and community arts venue in Manchester.

  
  

Merseyside

• Brouhaha

  Each year the Brouhaha International Street Festival hosts a mix of local, national and international arts and cultural events that take place on the streets, in parks, on stages, inside conventional arts buildings, in site specific outdoor venues, schools and community centres.

• Citadel Arts Centre

  In 2003/04 The Citadel celebrated its fifteenth birthday by being voted by The Independent as one of the top ten jazz and blues venues in the UK. It also hosts live theatre, comedy, dance and fine art events.

• Fittings Multimedia Arts

  Fittings makes new performance and theatre art works addressing serious issues in the language of variety theatre. Its work has been performed in a variety of settings including theatres, castles, tents and toilets. Fittings tours regionally, nationally and internationally.

• Fuse

  Fuse is an innovative theatre company that produces memorable theatre experiences for children and young people. Fuse evolved out of Merseyside Young People’s Theatre Company.

• Hope Street

  Hope Street is dedicated to the development of artists, artforms and arts in the community. Celebrating 20 years of innovation, this award-winning organisation has been central to the development of physical theatre, carnival arts, participatory arts, young people’s theatre international arts and cross art form collaboration.

• Liverpool Empire

  the largest two-tier theatre in the country and hosts a variety of shows including opera, ballet, music concerts, children's shows and major West End productions.

• Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse

  The mission of the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse is to create theatre of the highest quality which is firmly rooted in its community, yet both national and international in scope and ambition. They are the city’s major employer of theatre artists, artisans and skilled support staff.

• Neptune Theatre

  400-seat Grade II-listed Edwardian-style theatre which was due to reopen after extensive refurbishment at the end of 2007. At last glance, it doesn't look like there's going to be bums on seats any time soon. A dispute between the building's owners and Liverpool City Council is believed to be responsible for the delay.

• Osun Arts Foundation

  Osun, founded in 1992, aims to create awareness of neglected traditional African arts and culture. It runs workshops and tours a performance every year.

• Rejects Revenge Theatre Company

  Rejects Revenge creates original new physical comedies forsmall-scale venues. The company has been laughed at in Albania – where it was the first foreign theatre company to ever officially tour – Belgium, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Pakistan, Singapore, Spain, Turkey and most nooks and almost all crannies of the UK.

• Royal Court Theatre

  Puts on comedy and comic plays to an audience seated at cabaret-style tables. Formerly an excellent live band venue and once hosted a four-month continuous run of the Ken Dodd Laughter Show.

  
• Southport Theatre and Floral Hall Complex

  The Southport Theatre & Floral Hall Complex is the largest multi-purpose venue in Merseyside. It consists of a 1631-seater traditional theatre, a domed ballroom and a variety of smaller function suites.

• Spike Theatre

  A small-scale, touring, theatre company that creates accessible, engaging and visually exciting work. The company also has a thriving education wing (and for some reason a picture of a hedgehog in a viking helmet on its website).

• St Helens Theatre Royal

  Hosts a mixture of professional and amateur companies. Mainly musicals, bands and comedy.

• The Bluecoat

  Liverpool arts centre due to open 2008. Promises to engage, inspire and stimulate visitors, whether they come to create, view, listen, eat, shop, talk - or simply be. Can't vouch for all that, but it certainly used to have a brilliant discount bookshop.

• The New Works

  The New Works Theatre Co. is the only pure new writing theatre company in Liverpool and the north west.

• Unity Theatre

  Unity has a reputation for staging innovative, high quality work in a friendly and enthusiastic atmosphere. It has an excellent track record in encouraging new writing and supporting new companies at a time when many theatres are relying upon the classics to guarantee audiences.

• Valley Community Theatre

  The Valley Community Theatre was opened in 2000 as part of the regeneration of Netherley & Valley. Its aim was to become an arts focal point for the local community with specific reference to young people.

• Walk the Plank

  Walk the Plank creates arts events, fireshows, firework displays and community-based work and owns and operates Britain’s only touring theatre ship. Yes really, a ship.

  
  

Lancashire

• Action Factory

  For over 20 years Action Factory has developed, managed and delivered participatory arts projects in a range of settings, including work in education, with youth and community groups, at festivals and events, voluntary and campaign groups, with health agencies and housing and regeneration initiatives.

• Bluestreak Arts

  A Preston-based theatre company

• Burnley Mechanics

  The former Mechanics Institute reopened in 1986 as Burnley's premier arts and entertainments centre. Programme includes drama, music, comedy and family shows.

• Civic Theatre Oswaldtwistle

  This venue is known as the Friendly Theatre and has a capacity of 473 set in stall, tiered and balcony seating. Hosts professional and amateur productions.

• Grand Theatre Blackpool

  The Grand Theatre is an 1,100-seat theatre designed by Frank Matcham in 1894. This amazing space is a wonder of restoration and revival, presenting a full range of every performing artform, as Blackpool's community theatre, Lancashire's preferred opera house and Britain's national theatre of variety.

• Grange Arts Centre, The Oldham College

  Fully professional theatre which is owned and operated by The Oldham College. The centre is used extensively by performing arts and technical students, both for training and showcasing their productions. The venue can also be hired.

• Horse + Bamboo Theatre

  Horse + Bamboo Theatre creates visual theatre in which music and story-telling are central. The use of masks, film and puppetry are also key to its work. Currently developing The Boo, a theatre space for a wide range of arts activities including events for the local community.

• Jago Juggling Arts

  Jago embraces the widest possible interpretation of the juggling art and gives it a contemporary twist. From Maori fire chains and Chinese staff-spinning to magical crystal ball manipulation, futuristic LED (glo) juggling and funky leftfield routines with traditional props, Jago presents unique acts to the highest technical standard. Previously known as Full Moon Performers.

• Nuffield Theatre, Lancaster University

  The Nuffield Theatre has a long and respected tradition of staging and commissioning experimental performance from across the UK and abroad. It also works closely with the department of theatre studies at Lancaster University.

• Pressed on Players

  We present unique theatre comedic works combining old fashioned and contemporary styles for adult audiences and young like. We seek laughs from the intellectual satirical to the simple slapstick and highly physicalised notions of commedia and mime.

• Preston Charter Theatre

  780 capacity theatre hosting over 400 events a year including professional and amateur theatrical productions.

• Preston Guild Hall and Charter Theatre

  A large theatre complex in the centre of Preston with two main performance spaces.

• The Albert Halls, Bolton

  670-seat theatre set within Bolton’s town hall. Offers a programme including one of the region’s most successful pantomimes, dance, drama, comedy and music.

• The Dukes

  The Dukes is Lancashire's professional producing theatre and Dukes Cinema is one of the most successful independent screens in the country. Dukes also features a youth arts centre and a gallery.

Cumbria

• Ashgill Forest Theatre

  An open air theatre with natural scenery thrown in. Set in a picturesque woodland quarry in Wigton, West Cumbria.

• Brewery Arts

  Former Grade III-listed brewery building in Kendal which now houses a 250-seat theatre alongside galleries, cinema screens and a music space.

• Carnegie Arts Centre

  A varied weekly programme of activities and events ensure that a regular diet of popular entertainment and art forms are enjoyed by the local community and visitors to Workington.

• Forum 28, Barrow

  Has a varied programme of music, dance, comedy and drama events, staged by touring and local companies.

• Highlights Rural Touring Scheme

  Highlights works in partnership with over 50 voluntary promoting groups to bring high-quality professional theatre, music, dance and craft events to village halls, schools and community centres.

• Old Laundry Theatre

  With around 260 seats, this Bowness-on-Windermere theatre provides an intimate venue which has hosted many famous names and renowned theatre companies.

• Quondam

  Quondam is dedicated to new theatre writing and encouraging participation in the arts by enabling people to produce and perform work they have created themselves. In 2000 Quondam moved into its lottery-funded HQ building in Penrith, called The Play Station.

• Rosehill Theatre

  Opened by a Hungarian silk mill owner and arts patron in 1959, the Rosehill has been described as a rose-red silk lined jewel box. The next door Rosehill Barn was redeveloped in 1998 and now also hosts performances as well as a youth theatre.

• The Ashton Group Theatre

  A professional theatre company specialising in developing new theatre works which come directly from the stories and experiences of the communities where it is based.

• The Coro, Ulverston

  Coronation Hall is south Lakeland's largest arts and events venue. Hosts mainly theatre, music and opera.

• The Heron

  This tiny (80 seats) theatre is situated just off the A6 at Beetham between Milnthorpe and Carnforth. A lottery award has helped to improve its facilities and it now has a full programme running from September to May. Theatre, music and comedy are programmed.

• The Kirkgate

  Cockermouth's main arts venue with an exhibition space and 125 seat theatre/cinema. Converted from the former derelict All Saints School and managed and run entirely by volunteers and supported by over 200 members

• The Miner's Lamp Theatre Company

  Set up in 2001 to promote and develop a well-defined Cumbrian theatrical identity and to produce and perform plays with a strong Cumbrian language content.

• Theatre by the Lake

  Cumbria’s only year-round professional producing theatre. Offers opportunities to get involved including the chance to take part in productions and to create and write new pieces of work.

  

Cheshire

• Action Transport

  Founded in 1986, Action Transport is a new writing theatre company creating plays for, by and with young people.

  
• Chester Performs

  Chester Performs is responsible for the performing arts in Chester and Cheshire. It is leading on the development of a new performing arts centre in Chester, due to open 2011

• Crewe Lyceum

  Edwardian Theatre which claims to be home to three ghosts.

• Little Actors Theatre

  Little Actors Theatre Company specialises in drama for young people. We believe that drama is an excellent way for children to learn social, communication and literacy skills; to build confidence and to have fun.