Brief History

Situated in the heart of the North Yorkshire dales market town of Pateley Bridge, the Playhouse is the home of the Pateley Bridge Dramatic Society. The society, an amateur group with charity status, owns and runs the theatre on box office takings, membership fees and charitable donations.

The Salvation Army Citadel on Ben Lane pre 1930

Established originally as an evening class, Pateley Bridge Dramatic Society presented it's first full length play in 1937. Since then it has given a continuous programme of up to four full length productions a year. As a founder member of the Nidderdale Drama Association, it enters the local festival of one act plays each year, with several successes to its credit. The standard of play selection and presentation is high.

In addition to the normal dramatic productions, social events and visits from guest performers also take place through the year. For many years there has been a flourishing junior group.

Playhouse Interior 1968

Playhouse Exterior 1968 (street renamed Church Lane)

Since June 1968 the Society has rehearsed and put on productions in it's own, unique little theatre. The Playhouse, delightfully converted from a Victorian chapel which was built in 1859. It seats 73 people in comfort and has a full range of equipment and facilities rarely found in a small community.

It is the Society's proud boast that it has never owed a penny on the theatre development and maintenance money is always raised before work is undertaken. Currently the Society is engaged in a £100,000 refurbishment programme. A grant of £60,000 was obtained from the Foundation for Sport and the Arts and £40,000 was raised by the Society from a variety of fund raising events. Refurbishment was completed in early 2001.

The Auditorium During Rebuilding 1968