Art Theatre

The Art Theatre, formally New Mills Art Theatre, is a community theatre in New Mills, Derbyshire, England, with a history dating back to 1911. It was originally opened as the New Mills Empire and Hippodrome, a mixed cinema and live performance venue, and later became the Art Picture Playhouse. Today it operates as a volunteer-based organisation under New Mills Art Theatre Limited, promoting quality community theatre experiences for the people of New Mills and the High Peak District. The theatre has an occupancy of 455, with 235 stalls and 220 circle seats, and serves as a creative hub for the local community and beyond. It hosts a range of productions, including pantomimes, youth theatre, and performances by local amateur operatic and dramatic societies. The venue is valued for its accessibility and its role in nurturing home-grown talent in stage performance, lighting, and backstage crafts. The mission of New Mills Art Theatre Limited is to remain a volunteer-based organisation representative of all segments of the community, increase awareness of community theatre and its benefits, expand quality programming, and improve the theatre facility to enhance production quality. The theatre relies on donations and support to continue its work.

The Art Theatre, originally known as the New Mills Empire and Hippodrome, was established in 1911 in New Mills, Derbyshire. The first sod for its foundations was cut in March 1911, and it held its grand opening on Saturday, June 24th, 1911. The opening afternoon featured two films, "Into the Jaws of Death" and "The Cleaning of Scroggin's House," along with songs by Little Ivy Francis, Miss Hilda Newsome, Miss Marie Francis, and Mr. Matt Ray. David Macintosh Taylor served as the first lessee and manager, known as a flamboyant showman who booked unusual acts, such as two young ladies who performed feats like knitting, eating bananas, and blowing a post horn while submerged in a tank of water on stage. After nine years as manager, Taylor bought the theatre but sold it two days later to Messrs. Walters and Law on November 22nd, 1920. Walters and Law closed the theatre on Saturday, April 9th, 1921, for "entire reconstruction, decoration and general improvements." These alterations included building an upper story with a lounge (now the licensed bar) featuring an exquisite marble fireplace still visible in the foyer, and a new circle with a box at either side. The theatre reopened on August 29th, 1921, as The Art Picture Playhouse, continuing a mix of cinema and live performances. Over the decades, it evolved into a community theatre, and today it operates as New Mills Art Theatre Limited, a volunteer-based organisation. The theatre has an occupancy of 455 (235 stalls, 220 circle) and remains a creative hub for the New Mills and District community, hosting productions by local groups such as New Mills AODS, Friends Panto, and BTW Youth Theatre.

• 1921

  Theatre closed April 9 for reconstruction; reopened August 29 as The Art Picture Playhouse.

• 1920

  David Macintosh Taylor sells theatre to Messrs. Walters and Law on November 22.

• 1911

  First sod cut for foundations in March; grand opening on June 24 as New Mills Empire and Hippodrome.

A volunteer-based community theatre promoting quality community theatre experiences and educational opportunities in the theatrical arts for New Mills and the High Peak District.

Product categories. Community theatre productions · Pantomimes · Youth theatre · Amateur operatic and dramatic society performances · Live entertainment · Film screenings (historically)

1. 1New Mills Art Theatre – New Mills Art Theatre Websitenewmillsarttheatre.co.uk
2. 2History – New Mills Art Theatrenewmillsarttheatre.co.uk
3. 3About Us – New Mills Art Theatrenewmillsarttheatre.co.uk
4. 4Art Theatrewikidata.org