Rugby Theatre - Henry Street, Rugby
On Henry Street in Rugby.
A bit of history of the theatre.
Rugby Amateur Theatre Society was established in 1946 under the control of a Board of Trustees. It had two initial goals: first to discuss the possibility of large scale mergers with other societies in Rugby; and second to obtain a permanent Theatre.
After lengthy discussions and successful amalgamations, the Society presented its first production: Fisherman's Rest, written by founder Dr. Raymond Owen. It was presented in New Big School in 1947.
In 1949 the second goal was achieved when the Society moved into a former cinema in Henry Street and started the job of converting it to a Theatre. Today, Rugby Theatre is a flourishing society with around 500 members.
They are no longer solely a Theatre they are now as much a small business with our own Management structure. Each year they stage 10 live productions (to a strict timetable) and several concerts, we present around 20 films and host a number of outside lettings. For the past few years we have also run a Summer Youth Theatre. To achieve all of this we have a comprehensive Group structure.
Rugby Theatre at Cinema Treasures
The 600-seat Empire Cinema De Luxe opened on 6th September 1913 with Mdlle. Regina Badet in "Zoe – A Woman’s Last Card". It is a rather plain building, originally the projection box was above the circle. Re-named Empire Cinema in 1914, variety acts appeared on the stage, as well as stage shows. From 5th March 1923, under new ownership it was re-named Scala Cinema, it continued as a full time cinema. It was closed after a fire in the projection box in June 1946.
The Scala Cinema was taken over by the Granada Theatres chain, but it was never re-opened. It was sold by Granada Theatres in 1947, and after refurbishment, was re-opened as the Rugby Theatre with the play "Fisherman’s Rest" on 5th December 1949. After the town’s Granada Theatre (former Plaza Cinema) closed in 1976, there was no operating cinema in Rugby. So in September 1976, films returned to the Rugby Theatre when a 16mm print of "Puppet on a Chain" was screened. Later 35mm projection was installed and on 19th February 1992, "Tess" starring Nastassja Kinski was screened. Films continue today, together with live amateur theatre productions making up most of the programming.
Rugby Theatre - Henry Street, Rugby
On Henry Street in Rugby.
A bit of history of the theatre.
Rugby Amateur Theatre Society was established in 1946 under the control of a Board of Trustees. It had two initial goals: first to discuss the possibility of large scale mergers with other societies in Rugby; and second to obtain a permanent Theatre.
After lengthy discussions and successful amalgamations, the Society presented its first production: Fisherman's Rest, written by founder Dr. Raymond Owen. It was presented in New Big School in 1947.
In 1949 the second goal was achieved when the Society moved into a former cinema in Henry Street and started the job of converting it to a Theatre. Today, Rugby Theatre is a flourishing society with around 500 members.
They are no longer solely a Theatre they are now as much a small business with our own Management structure. Each year they stage 10 live productions (to a strict timetable) and several concerts, we present around 20 films and host a number of outside lettings. For the past few years we have also run a Summer Youth Theatre. To achieve all of this we have a comprehensive Group structure.
Rugby Theatre at Cinema Treasures
The 600-seat Empire Cinema De Luxe opened on 6th September 1913 with Mdlle. Regina Badet in "Zoe – A Woman’s Last Card". It is a rather plain building, originally the projection box was above the circle. Re-named Empire Cinema in 1914, variety acts appeared on the stage, as well as stage shows. From 5th March 1923, under new ownership it was re-named Scala Cinema, it continued as a full time cinema. It was closed after a fire in the projection box in June 1946.
The Scala Cinema was taken over by the Granada Theatres chain, but it was never re-opened. It was sold by Granada Theatres in 1947, and after refurbishment, was re-opened as the Rugby Theatre with the play "Fisherman’s Rest" on 5th December 1949. After the town’s Granada Theatre (former Plaza Cinema) closed in 1976, there was no operating cinema in Rugby. So in September 1976, films returned to the Rugby Theatre when a 16mm print of "Puppet on a Chain" was screened. Later 35mm projection was installed and on 19th February 1992, "Tess" starring Nastassja Kinski was screened. Films continue today, together with live amateur theatre productions making up most of the programming.