IT would ‘make the West End green with envy’, ran the headline in the Daily Mirror about York’s newest theatre.

That was 75 years ago – and in many ways the Joseph Rowntree Theatre today is as unique and special as the day it was opened.

It is, after all, a fully equipped, purpose-built theatre that is run entirely by volunteers. If David Cameron ever needed a concrete example of what the ‘Big Society’ might mean, here it is: a theatre run by the community, for the community.

The Joseph Rowntree Hall, as it was called back then, was officially opened by Seebohm Rowntree on November 18, 1935. Seebohm, in his forward to the opening programme, said: “It cost £12,000 to build – money provided by the Joseph Rowntree Village Trust. The aim has been to build a hall which may be a fitting centre of those recreational and educational activities which make for a full and happy life.”

And so, for 75 years, it has proved to be. That opening programme set the tone. It began with an overture by the Rowntree Orchestra, followed by Dawn, a symbolic dance, and some music by Wagner. A gymnastics display brought the first half to a close – and after the interval, the audience was treated to a showing of a film about a visit to the cocoa works by the Prince of Wales (the future Edward VIII) and a performance of the stage play Hassan by the Rowntree Players.

The programme these days is every bit as diverse. The next show to be staged will be the Rowntree Players panto Mother Goose, which opens on Saturday. But in the last three months alone, the theatre has hosted a breathtaking variety of shows and performances – everything from a gala night in aid of SNAPPY, to Jorvik Gilbert and Sullivan Company’s The Mikado, the Steve Cassidy Band, York Musical Theatre Company in The Rodgers and Hammerstein Story, New Earswick Musical Society’s production of Annie, and many more.

“There are 26 different groups that use us at the moment,” admitted the theatre’s company secretary Vivien Tweddell. “There have been people setting up, rehearsing or doing shows here for 180 out of the 365 days of the year!”

It’s astonishing that a theatre this busy is run solely by volunteers. But, ever since the theatre’s manager David Bushby retired in 2001, that’s the way it has been done. A new management committee was set up.

And now the only people paid to work here are the cleaners. The nine-strong management committee, the backstage people, those who run front of house – they’re all volunteers. Money from hiring out the theatre is used to meet the running costs; and for everything else, there is fundraising.

Some committee members, like Vivien, prefer to restrict their involvement in the theatre to behind-the-scenes work. “I don’t perform!” she said. “The only time I go on that stage is to tell someone to move their car!”

Dan Shrimpton, pictured, the 33-year-old management committee chairman, is similar. He restricts his contribution to shows to sound and lighting. “Performing doesn’t appeal,” he says. “I can’t sing, I can’t act, I can’t dance.”

Others, like Vivien and Dan’s fellow committee member Brenda Batty, enjoy the bright lights. “It’s a drug, a buzz!” says the veteran of countless shows, starting with the Black & White Minstrels back in 1968. “There’s the excitement, the sound of the crowd, the camaraderie backstage, putting on your makeup, the curtain going up – I love them all.”

That’s the magic of the stage, which keeps so many groups – adults and children, musical and theatrical – returning to this wonderful stage so often.

One of the things Vivien loves about this theatre is watching the way the children who come here to perform grow. “You hear people say things like ‘my God, that child’s got confidence!’” she said. “And they get discipline too. Theatre can be quite tough. They need discipline!”

The theatre has been celebrating its 75 birthday throughout the year, with specially themed music nights and a black tie anniversary ball. Yesterday, there was an open day, which gave members of the public the chance to visit the theatre, and see a selection of photographs of old performances that are being put on permanent display.

Moira Tait, another volunteer who is the theatre’s public relations director, said the aim of the day was to show off this “gem of a theatre”. “We want to ensure that the theatre is around for the people of York to enjoy for another 75 years,” she said.

Starting with Mother Goose on Saturday.

• To find out more about Joseph Rowntree Theatre, or to book tickets to shows, visit jrtheatre.co.uk