York’s Joseph Rowntree Theatre has been awarded £10,000 in a nationwide competition run by the Theatres Trust and international stage equipment company, J & C Joel.

J & C Joel has replaced all of the theatre’s stage curtains and upgraded scenery-moving equipment to enable even bigger and better shows to be produced at the gem of an Art Deco community theatre on Haxby Road.

Dan Shrimpton, the chair of the charity which runs the award-winning theatre, said: “This will make a huge difference to our operation. Our audiences will be able to see ever more imaginative settings for plays and musicals, and, of course, the annual pantomime.”

Trustee Graham Mitchell added: “We are very grateful to everyone at J & C Joel and at the Theatres Trust for the work done.

"The award’s timing could not be better, as we are expanding the range and number of shows we host. Coming just after being voted York’s 'Best Entertainment Venue' in Minster FM’s 'Listener Choice' awards, this is an immense boost.”

James Wheelwright, Chief Executive of J & C Joel, said the theatre had won out against competition against a 'very wide field of theatres from up and down the country'.

"We loved what they are doing as a community run theatre, providing affordable entertainment to the people of York and beyond," he said. "We also loved the big plans for the theatre’s future."

The Joseph Rowntree Theatre was built in 1935 by Rowntrees for the benefit of their employees and the citizens of York.

It was opened on Monday November 18, 1935, by Seebohm Rowntree, then Chairman of Rowntree & Co Limited, with the aim of ‘providing a hall which may be a fitting centre for those recreational and educational activities which make for a full and happy life’.

Built for £12,000, which was provided by the Joseph Rowntree Village Trustees, it combined simple architectural features with a warm colour scheme and hidden lighting, designed to give an intimate and welcoming atmosphere to the 450-seat auditorium.

The hall was equipped with the most up to date acoustics, lighting and heating system and a magnificent curved cyclorama. The stage was designed to accommodate a sixteen-piece orchestra.

The idea was that everyone should be able to experience a wide variety of affordable entertainment, either by taking part or by just coming to watch shows, concerts and films.

Originally known as The Joseph Rowntree Hall, it was renamed The Joseph Rowntree Theatre in 1946.

Today, the theatre is run entirely by volunteers. It is used by a core of more than 35 York- based groups, as well as several touring professionals.

"We have big plans to improve our facilities over the next few years to make the theatre a truly vibrant asset for York, as originally intended by Seebohm and Joseph Rowntree," said Dan Shrimpton. "It really is a community asset run for the people of York, by the people of York”.

Upcoming events at the theatre include:

This week, from today until Saturday: The “York Community Choir Festival.

March 19-21: Guys & Dolls, performed by the York St John University Musical Production Society.

March 25-28: Calamity Jane, performed by The Bev Jones Music Company

April 2-4: Crush the Musical, performed by Flying Ducks Youth Theatre

April 5: Songbirds” The music of female singing icons performed by Jessa Liversidge.

Stephen Lewis

To find out more about upcoming events, visit josephrowntreetheatre.co.uk