The Playhouse, Whitstable
Tuesday: 10:00 - 12:00
Wednesday: 10:00 - 12:00
Thursday: 10:00 - 12:00
Friday: 10:00 - 12:00
Saturday: 10:00 - 12:00
Sunday: -
About The Playhouse, Whitstable
The Playhouse is owned and managed by in-house dramatic company The Lindley Players.
As well as 7 Lindley shows a year, many local companies hire our theatre & we are also a National Theatre screening venue.
The Playhouse, Whitstable Description
Towards the end of 1945 thoughts were turning to renewing the various social activities of the pre-war days. The Vicar of Whitstable, Canon Hillyard, invited Ralph Lindley to form a drama group from within the congregation of All Saints Church. Early in 1946 such a group formed, together with a committee of Officers and members. The drama group, naturally called The Lindley Players, also performed an annual pageant at the Summer Fete held by All Saints Church. They were, after all, an integral part of the social activities of the Church. This, in addition to two productions each year, continued until Ralph Lindley retired and left Whitstable in 1955.
During the next 20 years the Players continued to thrive and expand their activities, putting on productions at various different venues. However, there was always an ambition for the Lindleys to have their own theatre and a building fund was created to save towards that dream. In 1978 the United Reformed Church in Whitstable High Street was put on the market and a small group of Lindleys realised the potential of the building to convert into a theatre.
By the end of 1980, enough money had been raised in order to start negotiations with the United Reform Church for the purchase of the building. Conversion work on the auditorium and balcony began in April 1981 and was completed a year later. Productions were to continue at St Mary’s Hall in 1981 and 1982. The members working at weekends and one evening every week did the bulk of this conversion work. The work involved building a stage, removing the balcony from the side walls, installing a stepped auditorium floor, building a lighting control and sound control room in the balcony and additional seating. The lower floor was converted into a bar, club room and dressing rooms.
Since the opening production “Voyage Round My Father” in 1982, (with John Mortimer the playwright present), the Playhouse has been expanded, re-furbished and fitted out with the latest state of the art sound and lighting equipment. The hard work by volunteers over the years has resulted in The Playhouse Theatre being a performance venue suitable for a wide range of live entertainment. The Playhouse Theatre is home to owners and operators the Lindley Players, but it is also a high specification performance venue used by many external amateur groups and professional acts.
Reviews
Wow! Went to see Jack The Ripper last night and loved every minute! The cast was amazing and the amount of work that goes into a production like this must be immense! Thank you for a fantastic time 😁
What a lovely little place this is, the pantomime was fantastic, the staff were lovely and friendly and the sweets & bar are an amazing value for money. Will definitely go again �
Went to the Open Day and it was really interesting. Very informative and great to see all the costumes. Looking forward to The Lion in Winter later this month.
Whitstable is fortunate to have the Playhouse.
Went to see Avenue Q , fantastic show so funny 😊 And in a lovely theatre . Tickets were so cheap will be going again to watch other shows .
We went to see a preview of beauty and the beast for my birthday � absolutely brilliant and so so funny will def be back x well done to all
We went to see Beauty and the Beast on Wednesday night and it was just fantastic! A fully entertaining and fun production, well done to all those involved :)
Thoroughly enjoyed Beauty and the Beast. Sadly our enjoyment was marred by the family behind us who criticised the whole performance and continually talked all the way through it. Will Endeavour to sit in the back row next time!
The jewel in Whitstable's crown great local drama and live screenings we are so lucky to have this on our doorstep ❤️
The best theatre for miles around and the prettiest too! The productions are fantastic and the Lindley Players are the most dedicated people who give their very best! I couldn't recommend it more.
The Whitstable Playhouse is a wonderful little gem of a theatre that hosts brilliant productions with amazing dedicated casts and theatre staff. I have and would highly recommend a visit to this unique venue.
Such a lovely little theatre and the production was amazing. Some really funny moments with a bit of heartbreak (I defy any parent not to sob "that's not happening to my baby" during the Mama song!). Fantastic direction from Jamie Mount who is a superb talent in his own right. I'm a bit of an esthetics queen and so the set and lighting arrangements were also brilliant! Well done!
Saw Little Voice last night....superb! The acting and the singing were both a joy, I thoroughly recommend it.
Our first visit to the Playhouse Theatre last night did not disappoint, what a gem of a venue. We saw Alan Ayckbourn's "Snake in the Grass", and all three actresses were excellent. A thoroughly enjoyable evening.
My first visit to this lovely little theatre. I think it's a great venue and Avenue Q was excellent. However, the show used strobe lighting at one point. There wasn't any warning at the time of booking or in the programme about lighting; I went with a friend who suffers migraines brought on by this. It wasn't until we were leaving that I noticed a handwritten A4 sign telling the audience there would be flashing lights - on our way in, the sign had been obscured by an usher standing in front of it. For someone with photosensitive epilepsy this could have been a huge issue.
Lovely little theatre that always produces great shows. Have great memories from the time I was a member there 10 years before I went off to college for technical theatre training. Always gives a lovely friendly atmosphere and the staff always willing to help.
I went to see Nunscense (mostly against my will as I'm not really an AnDram fan) but I was blown away. The show was brilliant, the singing was brilliant and the theatre is great. I will definitely be returning
Came to see Genesis Legacy and thoroughly enjoyed our visit. Staff are friendly and welcoming and members of the public are so welcoming too. Beautiful decor and and cosy feel.
An excellent theatre, with an exceptional in-house company. A pearl in the town crown. (Also the bar is more than reasonable)
The show got off to a slow start but managed to recover and actually becam a very good show. Talented musicians and a very enjoyable evening :)
More about The Playhouse, Whitstable
Tuesday: 10:00 - 12:00
Wednesday: 10:00 - 12:00
Thursday: 10:00 - 12:00
Friday: 10:00 - 12:00
Saturday: 10:00 - 12:00
Sunday: -