The Playhouse (Cheltenham)

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The Playhouse Theatre Cheltenham is a theatre in Cheltenham, United Kingdom. It is run as a charity and is mainly used for amateur dramatics.

[edit] Societies

There are currently 13 societies based at The Playhouse:

Bel Canto Opera
Bishops Cleeve Players
Celtic Circle
Cheltenham Children's Theatre Association
Cheltenham Operatic and Dramatic Society (CODS)CODS Website
The Cotswold Savoyards
Deep End Theatre Company
Dreamshed Theatre Company [1]
Focus Theatre Company [2]
Friends Theatre Company
Jacob's Well Productions
The Playhouse Company
Theatre Studio

[edit] The building & History

For full details please see official version on the theatre website.

The Playhouse Theatre started life as the Montpellier Baths in 1806. The building was converted to a swimming pool c.1900 and then to a theatre in 1945.

In 1716, the first Mineral springs were discovered in Cheltenham, transforming it into a spa. Lords and ladies from all over the country came to drink the waters because it was so healthy. In 1788, His Majesty King George III came to Cheltenham to drink the waters.

1806 saw the opening of the Baths built by Henry Thompson. It boasted 14 warm baths, fitted with marble and Dutch tile, one large cold bath plus smaller ones and a boiler capable of heating up to 190°F.

In 1898, the baths were bought by the Cheltenham Corporation and converted into a swimming pool and slipper baths. Just before the end of the second World War, the Cheltenham Council realised the town’s lack of theatrical facilities, and converted the swimming pool into a theatre.

In April 1945, the first play was performed - Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw.