About Us: A Brief History
1981
The Brentwood Theatre Trust is formally established. Margaret Hutton turns the first sod on our current site, launching the campaign to build a theatre in Brentwood.
1987
Fundraising stands at £90,000 but the campaign is rumoured to be failing.
1992
With over £300,000 now raised, more than half from personal donations and events, the Theatre build commenced. A second-hand portacabin is purchased and converted into two dressing rooms, with toilets, and an office is rented in the Hermitage building. David McLuckie is appointed as Theatre Manager.
1993
On 2 December 1993, Brentwood Theatre opens its doors for the first time, with a double bill including a play written by Jeff Merrifield. Shenfield Operatic Society follow with an Old Time Music Hall on 3 December, before Hutton Players produce our first full-length play, Charley’s Aunt, later that month.
1994
Brentwood Operatic Society produce Godspell in January 1994, the first full musical here.
1995
Brentwood Shakespeare Company is formed and presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
1996
The donation to the Theatre of the Frank Jackson Cup, sparks the formation of an annual Awards Evening, with non-professional productions being assessed by a team of adjudicators.
1997
The Brents, our first annual awards night, is launched on 17 September 1997. With the resignation of David McLuckie, Karen Fisher is appointed as Administrator, with Scott Norman as Chief Technician.
2001
Karen Fisher moves to The Theatre Royal, Stratford East. David Zelly is appointed as Production Manager and Mark Reed as Administrator (in addition to his role as House and Bar Manager).
2002
Brentwood Theatre Company is formed to present an annual children’s Christmas Show. The first show produced is David Wood’s Meg and Mog Show.
2003
The 10th Anniversary Year of Brentwood Theatre and talks begin about the next phase of building works.
2005
The ‘Reaching Out, Building On’ campaign is launched on 14 September to expand the building. Provisions will include internal dressing rooms, backstage toilets, a small workshop, office space, disabled access and a multi-purpose studio on the upper floor.
2006
Over 50 non-professional groups are now using Brentwood Theatre on a regular basis.
2007
Former Brentwood actor, Stephen Moyer, now working in Hollywood is appointed as our Patron and our local fundraising goes international as his fans in the USA support our appeal.
2008
Preparations begin for the close-down of the Theatre for the summer. Work starts in June and the new-look Brentwood Theatre reopens for BOSSY’s production of Fame in November, attended by True Blood star Stephen Moyer and his co-star Ann Pacquin.
2009
‘Reaching Out, Building On’ campaign reaches its conclusion and the new extension is fully operational. Brentwood Theatre now has two performance spaces and significantly improved facilities.
2014
After more fundraising, a new retractable seating system is installed in our main auditorium, increasing our capacity to 113 seats and allowing us to change the use of space in under 30 minutes, instead of more than a day.
2015
Our Box Office goes online for the first time. Audiences can now book tickets 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
2016
Brentwood Theatre is now hosting nearly 250 performances each year, with an estimated 20,000 people coming through our doors. Many shows now sell-out and the space is constantly in high demand from hirers looking for a suitable performance space.
2017
Production Manager, David Zelly, retires at the end of July and Administrator, Mark Reed, also leaves Brentwood Theatre after 16 years working together. Jon Hare is appointed as Theatre Manager, with Peter Taylor as Technical Supervisor and Bex Foreman as Front of House Supervisor. The Theatre also takes on an Apprentice, Tianna Mullings, in Digital & Social Media on a 15-month contract.
This brief history was compiled from ‘Brentwood Theatre…the first 21 years’, written by Audrey Longman and published in December 2014. This book is available in paperback form on request from the Production Office or Front of House.
Next Show
William Shakespeare’s Henry V
21st March @ 7:30 pm|Recurring Event (See all)One event on 22nd March 2024 at 7:30pm
One event on 23rd March 2024 at 7:30pm
One event on 23rd March 2024 at 2:00pm
One event on 22nd March 2024 at 7:30pm
One event on 23rd March 2024 at 7:30pm
One event on 23rd March 2024 at 2:00pm