 The theatre is council-owned, but run by volunteers |
A civic theatre in Cheltenham has been left nearly �80,000 in the will of a former member. Joan Cross, who died earlier this year, bequeathed the gift to the Playhouse, which is owned by the borough council, but run by volunteers.
It is the home of mainly amateur productions, but there are now plans to make theatre-going more professional and comfortable for its audiences.
The Playhouse will get a new coat of paint and better seating.
The theatre was built on the site of a former Victorian baths, which was then converted into a swimming pool.
The tiled pool still exists beneath the floor of the main auditorium and is used as storage for stage props.
The Playhouse opened in 1945 and was funded by the council. Today, its income is generated almost entirely by the box office and the theatre's two bars.
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