New canal-side theatre taking shape in Staffordshire

The charity behind a brand-new theatre in Staffordshire have given people a glimpse inside and now asking what should be taking place there when it opens its doors.

New interior photographs show the scale of Crown Wharf Theatre – which will be able to seat 200 people in an octagonal auditorium, including in balcony seating – and the beautiful Crown ceiling design. Artist’s impressions, meanwhile, give a taste of what the auditorium will look like when completed.

The charity is currently applying for major grant funding to transform the building into a functioning, professional theatre. As part of this, trustees want to hear from local people about what they would like to see happening at the theatre when it opens its doors as well as anyone who would be interested in using the space. All the seats will be moveable to create the flexibility for a huge range of events.

The outer shell of Crown Wharf Theatre – the first new theatre build in Staffordshire for nearly a quarter of a century – has almost been completed by Joule’s Brewery as a gift to the community as part of their Crown Wharf development in the town.

The building will be handed over to the Crown Wharf Theatre charity later this year – and it will then be down to the charity to take the project the rest of the way, with an internal fit-out of the auditorium, back of house and workshop areas estimated to cost around £750,000.

Crown Wharf Theatre trustee Leo Capernaros said: “Despite the huge challenges thrown up by the pandemic, real progress has been made at the site and the project is alive and well. We’re all thrilled with how the theatre is looking – it certainly feels much bigger than we’d expected – and we can’t wait to take the building on.

“As things really start to develop, we need local people to support our funding bids by completing our community survey to help us showcase what a great asset this will be to the town, and what a difference it will make to people in and beyond Stone. We’re also looking to hear from individuals, groups and businesses who are interested in using the space.”

To complete the survey and to find out how to support the Crown Wharf Theatre go to www.crownwharftheatre.org.uk