Temporary Dartford theatre planned after dangerous concrete closure

The Orchard Theatre in Dartford suspended all performances in September

A temporary replacement for a Kent theatre that was shut due to fears over reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) will reopen in time for the pantomime season, a council has said.

Performances at the Orchard Theatre in Dartford were initially suspended for a month after an inspection in September.

Documents from Dartford Borough Council now say it will be closed for a year.

A temporary venue, to be known as Orchard West, will operate for the duration of the closure.

Orchard West is scheduled to open in late November as a fully-functional, temporary, enclosed performance space with 1,000 seats, the council said.

It will have heating and cooling systems and full backstage and front-of-house facilities including indoor toilets and bars, a council spokesman said.

Jeremy Kite, leader of Dartford Borough Council, said: "Our theatre is such an important part of life for so many Dartford residents that when we were forced to close the venue, we were determined to find a way for the show to go on."

Building work to replace the auditorium roof at the Orchard Theatre is set to begin this month with works expected to be completed in late 2024.

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