Joseph Rowntree Theatre celebrates 90th anniversary

A York theatre “won’t be standing still” as it approaches its 90th anniversary with celebrations of their community connections and heritage.

The Joseph Rowntree Theatre, in Haxby Road, is celebrating nine decades since first opening its doors on November 18, 1935.

It has continued to operate as a theatre after being set up for workers at the Rowntree Factory as a place of leisure – offering shows on lunchtimes for those at the factory

Outside Joseph Rowntree theatre (Image: Harry Booth) Some of the original features in the art deco style building, such as a flying system created by the workers at the factory, is still an active part of the theatre to this day.

Coming up to the 90th year, this heritage is something that the team celebrates with an expansion of its archives, a summer show paying homage to the plays of the past, anniversary events, and hopefully an expansion of the front of house itself.

One of the team’s key goals is to complete building work on a ‘garden room’ – a project which will give the theatre three more toilets and room for a bar, having run its current alcohol facilities from a caravan on the theatre’s drive due to a lack of room.

Joanne Wood and Carol Stephenson (1980) (Image: Joseph Rowntree Theatre) “That’s something we’d like to get done in our 90th year – it’ll be nice anyway but it’ll be a special thing to do now,” said Helen Lay, the theatre’s box office director.

The team at the theatre is also working with in-house company JRTtheatre to create a summer concert showing what’s been on at the theatre over the years, with volunteer Alex Schofield going through the archives to source material.

This history is important to theatre goers and volunteers alike.

Janet McTeer and Sally Hammond in Babes in the Wood (1980) (Image: Joseph Rowntree Theatre)

“We’ve got people who volunteer now who came as children to see shows, people in their 70s/80s who remember performing as children and young people – it’s been a part of their lives for a long time,” said Helen.

“One of things for us that’s important is to look at how the theatre has benefited people so obviously people have performed with us as part of their growing up. There’s a lot of people who performed here over the years and went on to be professionals.

The view of the stage from the upper deck at Joseph Rowntree theatre (Image: Harry Booth) “We’re also volunteer run and love the fact that volunteers get a benefit from it too – we’ve had people we know who come to volunteer who have met new friends and it’s given them a purpose. It’s been an important part of their life, and we want to record some of that as well.

“It’s a really nice and important thing, the heritage and uniqueness but also the social aspect. We’re going from strength to strength and we’re not standing still, but we’ve also got the side of things where it’s important for the volunteers and we can benefit the community in other ways.”

Ballet Rambert (1946) (Image: Joseph Rowntree Theatre) In summer, the theatre will be throwing a ball at The Milner with a performance from York band HUGE, who have strong connections to the theatre. The event will serve as both a celebration and fundraiser with all money raised going back into the theatre.

There will also be a repeat of last year’s ceilidh and events inspired by the archive taking place throughout the year.

“We will have more for the year but we’re just at the start of it now,” promised Helen.