Chads Theatre was founded just after the First World War as Cheadle Hulme Amateur Dramatic Society, performing in different venues in the Cheadle Hulme area. In October 1959 the members opened their own premises and have continued to develop the Theatre ever since, providing a first class venue for its members and patrons. We currently perform six main stage and two studio plays each season, and the theatre and its members are the recipients of many awards.
Our history
1920 – The society is formed and the first play, A Bunch of Violets, is performed at the Parish Hall.
1923 – An ex-army hut is acquired as a rehearsal room and store.
1935 – Headquarters upgraded into a clubhouse for meetings and play readings.
1936 – First production held at the Elysian Cinema.
1938 – Building fund opened.
1939/40 – No plays performed due to the outbreak of World War II.
1952 – Land acquired for the current theatre building.
1954-58 – The current theatre is built.
1959 – The original club house burns down.
1959 – The current theatre is opened with a performance of “Dinner with the Family”.
1960 – The 100th main stage production, “An Ideal Husband” is performed.
1963/64 – A store room and workshop are built.
1969 – The long room and bar are built.
1983 – The 200th main stage production, “Crown Matrimonial” is performed.
1983 – The auditorium is raked.
1990 – The stage is lowered, and a new scenery store and workshop are built.
1994 – The wardrobe is built over the dressing room.
1998 – The current logo is introduced.
1999 – The 300th main stage production, “The Servant of Two Masters” is performed.
2000 – Chads website first launched.
2002 – The front entrance is extended forward with a new lounge area, kitchen, box office and toilets. Upstairs a new rehearsal room is built.
2013 – The rehearsal room is converted into a studio space, with the first studio performance of “A Tender Thing”.
2015 – The 400th main stage production, “The Snow Queen” is performed.
2018 – Numerous alterations are made to the auditorium including a new roof and lighting rig, and new technical control room.
2020/21 – Performances are suspended and the theatre is closed during the Covid-19 pandemic. The foyer, bar and lounge areas are renovated with new seating, a new box office and refreshments counter, and new décor.
2021 – The theatre re-opens after a year and a half with “Relatively Speaking”.
2023 – The first play in the round is performed in the auditorium, “She Stoops to Conquer”.