Theatre to close as operator steps away from venue

The Stratford Play House will shut temporarily on 1 February 2025

A community theatre in Stratford is set to close temporarily after its operator decided to step away.

The Stratford Play House will shut on 1 February 2025 following the decision by The Stratford Play House Limited, which runs the venue.

Site owner Stratford Town Trust said it was "disappointed" by the move.

A process to find new operators would be launched in the new year, the trust said.

Sara Aspley, trust chief executive, said the venue would temporarily close while that process took place.

In a post on social media, the play house's artistic director Rebecca Hallworth said: "Quite simply we love The Play House and the events which it hosts.

"My colleagues and I have worked tirelessly over the past six years to build a successful venue and will greatly miss our involvement with it."

The company said all tickets for shows scheduled for after the closure would be refunded "with immediate effect".

Ms Aspley said the the two bodies had worked to find an agreement that would allow the operator to continue.

"The town trust, as the landlord of the building, is completely committed to this building remaining a community resource - I cannot state that enough," she said.

"We completely understand it is a Stratford landmark.

"It's a much-loved venue. People have very fond memories of shows they've enjoyed, either watching or performing."

She said there was "no truth" to rumours of a falling out between the two organisations.