This year marks 50 years of The Edward Alderton Theatre. As our 50^th Anniversary Season draws to a close, we’re celebrating with a special Gala Performance to mark the occasion, featuring some of our founder members performing alongside our very newest recruits. We’re showcasing the very best of the EAT in an evening of scenes, monologues and songs.

How It All Began

The theatre was built, financed and publicly licensed by drama students, first opening our doors in May 1976 with a production of Oh What a Lovely War, directed by Derek Goulding, the drama tutor who was to become the theatre’s first Artistic Director.

Converted from an old fire station, the theatre was built to allow the maximum stage space possible, with the small and intimate auditorium designed to increase contact between actors and audience, creating the ideal atmosphere for modern theatrical performances. Our 74 seats offer no restricted views, allowing audiences to enjoy performances so close to the actors that they feel fully immersed in the worlds that we create on stage – taking you from Ancient Greece to Dibley Parish Council’s chaotic meetings!

Who was Edward Alderton I hear you cry? Find out more here.

Since first opening our doors in 1976, we have staged over 300 productions, including classic and modern dramas, stage adaptations of popular TV shows and even the occasional musical. In recent years, we’ve had to close our doors twice – once in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic and then in 2024, when damage to the theatre’s roof brought everything to a halt. Thankfully, the roof has been replaced and our building is now safe and secure.

So, as we celebrate fifty years, huge thanks go to all the people who volunteer to be part of the Edward Alderton Theatre in any capacity. You are the heart and soul of our wonderful little theatre and we would not exist without you. Whether you have been with us since 1976 or only discovered the EAT recently, thank you for your support.