From 10 – 19 September across the country you can access and learn about a huge number of buildings you can’t often get in to.
The popular annual Heritage Open Days event embraces a very wide mix of events and activities, and this year it returns with a mix of in-person and online activities to enjoy wherever you are in the country.
Here’s my Top 25 events that will be most of interest to theatre-lovers. See what’s near you-or online!
IN-PERSON The Stables Theatre Building Tour
The Stables Theatre, Stockwell Lane, Wavendon, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK17 8LU Tour and behind the scenes look at the building that is one of the UK’s most successful music venues, led by the original architect. Details here
IN-PERSON People’s Museum
Hippodrome Bingo, 27 Railway Street, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 7LR Memorabilia of Bishop Auckland on display at the Old Hippodrome Theatre. Details here
IN-PERSON AND ONLINE Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ Visits
North East Theatre Organ Association, New Victoria Centre, High Street, Howden Le Wear, Crook, County Durham, DL15 8EZ Find out the amazing story of the only remaining Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ in the North East (& one of the largest in Europe) – and hear it in action (online option via information on the page with details). Details here
IN-PERSON Exeter’s Northcott Theatre – opening the archive
Northcott Theatre, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4QB For the first time, the Exeter Northcott Theatre will be sharing items from its archive and launching a fantastic new mural. Details here
IN-PERSON The Rescue of the National Picture Theatre -Speaker Hilary Byers
Stepney Station, Beverley Road, Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, HU3 1TY The National Civilian WW2 Memorial Trust has for over 20 years been working towards saving the remains of the National Picture Theatre on Beverley Road in Hull. Hear about the history and recent strides forward. Details here
IN-PERSON Royal Hippodrome Theatre Tours
Royal Hippodrome Theatre, 108-112 Seaside Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 3PF The Hippodrome Theatre opened in 1883. Catch a behind-the-scenes look at the stage and backstage areas through guided 30 minute tours and take a look inside the Victorian auditorium! Details here
IN-PERSON Mercury Theatre Tours
Balkerne Gate, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1PT Colchester’s Mercury Theatre has recently undergone a major redevelopment. Be amongst the first to see inside -and backstage! Details here
ONLINE Wivenhoe and the Theatre
Wivenhoe, Essex. A film looking at the homes of two of Wivenhoe’s most famous residents: Sir John Martin-Harvey, a successful actor and theatre manager, and Joan Hickson OBE, best known for her portrayal of Miss Marple. Link available from Sept 10th. Details here
IN-PERSON Cheltenham Playhouse Tours
Playhouse Theatre, 47-53 Bath Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL53 7HG Guided tours around the ground floor of the grade-II listed building including scenery workshop and stage, while learning about its pre-theatre past as salt works, slipper baths and swimming pool – which you will descend into! Details here
IN-PERSON Stockport Plaza Super Cinema and Variety Theatre Open Day
Plaza Theatre, Mersey Square, Stockport, Greater Manchester, SK1 1SP The beautifully restored 1932 Stockport Plaza throws open her doors at 11.00am for a full day of FREE to attend events, including performances of the mighty Compton Theatre Organ. Details here
IN-PERSON Watford Palace Theatre
20 Clarendon Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD17 1JZ As part of Heritage Open Days, we will be opening up our home to you for a day of fun, facts and fabulousness. Details here
IN-PERSON Playhouse Theatre Whitstable Tours
Playhouse Theatre, 104 High Street, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 1AZ This is an opportunity to see how a theatre operates. Tours of all backstage areas are on offer as well as demonstrations covering the many aspects of how we put on a show. Details here
IN-PERSON AND ONLINE Lancaster Grand Theatre Heritage Weekend
Lancaster Grand Theatre, St Leonardgate, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 1NL Offering a Tour of the Grade II listed, 237 year old theatre. If you can’t attend in person – there is a virtual tour of the public areas of the theatre on their website. Link available from Sept 10th. Details here
IN-PERSON AND ONLINE Pavilion Theatre Gorleston – Backstage Tours
Pavilion Theatre, Pier Gardens, Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR31 6PP The Pavilion Theatre in Gorleston celebrates its 120th birthday this year and to celebrate we’ll be running informative tours of the building including to areas that are usually closed to the public, including backstage! As part of their commitment to making the tour accessible to all, they’ll be live-streaming at least one of our tours for people to access online. Details here
IN-PERSON Tours of De Grey Rooms and York Theatre Royal
Entrance to De Grey Rooms, St. Leonards Place, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 7HD Learn about York Conservation Trust and take a guided tour of the De Grey Rooms and York Theatre Royal. Details here
IN-PERSON Tours of The Old Savoy – The home of The Deco Theatre
Abington Square, Next to The Press Restaurant, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 4AE The Deco Theatre, Northampton’s hidden gem, is host to a wide variety of shows, the Christmas pantomime, and many training events. Explore its spaces and history on a guided tour. Details here
IN-PERSON Palace Theatre Centre Stage
Palace Theatre, Appleton Gate, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 1JY Visit the pop-up exhibition about Newark Palace Theatre’s first 100 years. Details here
IN-PERSON Tours of The Majestic Theatre, Retford
Retford Theatre Trust, Majestic Theatre, Coronation Street, Retford, Nottinghamshire, DN22 6DX Part of Retford Heritage Open Day 2021. The Majestic Theatre will be open for free guided tours between 10am and 2pm, of both front of house and backstage. Details here
ONLINE Virtual Tours of Blakehay Theatre
Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, BS23 1JZ Virtual Tour of Weston-Super-Mare’s Blakehay Theatre, a 207- seater converted from an early Victorian Baptist church in the 1980s. With this online tour, you will be guided around the Front of House, Auditorium, the Upper Studios and also the backstage areas including one of the Juliet balconies and two Dressing Rooms. Links available from Sept 10th. Details here
IN-PERSON A Brief History of Professional Theatre in Sheffield
Lyceum Theatre , Tudor Square, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S1 2LA A linear walk round the city centre, visiting sites of the surviving and former theatres and concert halls of Sheffield. Details here
IN-PERSON Marina Theatre Lowestoft Tours
Marina Theatre, The Marina, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32 1HH Take one of our guided heritage tours and learn more about the Marina Theatre’s history. Details here
IN-PERSON Tyne Theatre & Opera House Tours
Tyne Theatre & Opera House, 109-119 Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, NE1 4AG Narrated guided tour of the Grade I listed Victorian Theatre which was built in 1867. The Theatre houses a fully restored stage machinery, a rarity in the UK. Tours last approximately 60-70 mins. Details here
IN-PERSON Sunderland Empire Theatre Tour
Sunderland Empire, 4-5 High Street West, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, SR1 3EX Join the Creative Learning Team at Sunderland Empire Theatre for a free tour inside the Edwardian theatre building, exploring its architecture and rich history. Details here
IN-PERSON Tours at the Lawrence Batley Theatre
Lawrence Batley Theatre, Queen Street, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD1 2SP Join us for a special backstage tour, taking in the stories of our historic building and a look behind-the-scenes, guided by one of our expert team. Be the first to see our redeveloped spaces following our A Theatre For Tomorrow campaign this summer. Details here
IN-PERSON Yvonne Arnaud Theatre events
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Millbrook, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 3UX A rare opportunity to see behind the scenes at this grade II listed venue. Celebrate theatre food and snacks through the ages with our fun and family friendly activities. Details here
