This week’s CADOS play, Lovesong, takes place in Chorley Theatre’s Studio so here’s some information on the new space.
The Studio is in the building on Dole Lane that previously housed The Hyatt restaurant. Directly next to the rear of Chorley Theatre, it was built in 1878 and has been various businesses over the years, but when the Hyatt closed in November 2017 Chorley Council bought it for us, and we now have a very long lease with Chorley Council. We have spent over £100,000 converting the restaurant into a flexible arts space, which thanks to COVID and various unforeseen building issues took four years. Chorley Theatre Studio held it’s first performance in October 2021, and was officially opened by Mayor of Chorley Steve Holgate.
The aim of the space is to be as flexible as possible. It can hold around 100 people, depending on the stage size and will enable us to stage shows ‘in the round’ and in different layouts. CADOS will be staging four productions a year in the room, some by new directors and writers, and some that make use of the space in the way our traditional stage can not. Audiences are close to the actors (and fellow audience member) which makes for a great communal experience.
For Lovesong the layout is the traditional ‘end on’ but the intimate nature of the room makes the drama very affecting, and all the more real.
Seating in the Studio is all the same level, and currently unreserved. This is because we’re not entirely sure of the layout until rehearsals are underway, but as we use the building we hope to be able to plan this better. Audiences pick their seats as they arrive on the night.
The venue is self-contained, with 6 gender-neutral toilet cubicles (including one for disabled) and a bar. The main area is step-free, with full disabled access. Entrance to the Studio is on Dole Lane, just down from the main theatre. If you walked from the Theatre’s entrance to the direction of Chorley Town Hall you’ll find the entrance to the Studio (just don’t confuse it with the theatre’s Stage Door!)
In addition to plays, the Studio has already hosted comedy and music nights, where it has an exciting feel of a Fringe show. It’s also the home of Chorley Youth Theatre and Evolve, running children’s drama classes every week. We also hire out to other groups, and the room has become an invaluable rehearsal space for CADOS, letting us rehearse and plan several shows at the same time. It’s also been used for arts and crafts activities and special events such as the Jubilee coffee morning.
If anyone would be interested in a daytime hire of the room please get in touch.
There is still work to be done, and like everything at the theatre any profits go back into the improvement and upkeep of the venues. For the Studio we are getting new seats at the end of the Summer, as well as new sound and light installations and the ability to show films. We are also working on little building finishes around the room, and solutions to any problems that are coming up now the building is in regular use.
Here’s a list of upcoming events in the Studio:
Lovesong – Wednesday 10th-Saturday 13th August
Terence Blacker: Shock of the Old – Thursday 29th September
Macmillan Coffee Morning – Friday 30th September (10am)
The Totally Improvised Musical – Friday 30th September (8pm)
Mitch Benn – Saturday 8th October
Private Peaceful & Unicorns, Almost – Wednesday 2nd-Saturday 5th November
ComedySportz – Saturday 3rd December
Tom Houghton – Friday 17th February
Rob Auton – Thursday 23rd February
Ray Bradshaw – Saturday 25th February
