This 360 shows the view from the stage at the Lawrence Batley theatre. Despite the age of its building the Lawrence Batley Theatre is relatively new, opening in 1994 after a long campaign supported by such well-known names as Prunella Scales, Patrick Stewart, Dame Judy Dench and Themla Barlow.
Huddersfield has a rich theatrical tradition but its last dedicated theatre building, the Theatre Royal, had been demolished in 1962. The building originally opened in 1819 as the Queen Street Methodist Chapel and, for a time, was the largest methodist mission in the world. The architect was Joseph Kaye who also designed the town's impressive railway station. The Lawrence Batley has two auditoria (the main stage and the Cellar) and hosts an ever-changing series of professional, touring and community productions. It has an extensive education programme. |