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In 1891 William Gladstone
MP was invited to Port Sunlight by the first Lord Leverhulme
to officially open the Gladstone Hall - as a dining and recreation
room for male workers in the Lever Brothers Soap Factory.
 
Since then, it has seen a variety of uses.
Port Sunlight Players started performing plays and musicals in the hall in
the 1920's. The raked floor of the auditorium was installed in the 1950s.
 
The Gladstone Theatre Trust was formed in
1984 following discussions between the two resident societies - Port
Sunlight Players and Fortune Theatre Group - and the building's owner (UML
Limited – now Port Sunlight Village Trust). At that time, the hall was renamed The Gladstone Theatre.
[CLICK
HERE FOR A PICTORIAL HISTORY OF THE THEATRE'S OPENING IN 1891]
The Trust is not only responsible for
running the Theatre as a viable commercial concern - but also as a
Community Theatre for the benefit of local schools, youth theatre groups,
dancing schools, drama festivals and amateur performers in drama and music. The Trust also looks after all internal improvements and
maintenance.
 
In addition to our 470 seat auditorium we
have a spacious, fully licensed bar - to ensure a pleasant and relaxing
evening.
If you'd like to enjoy a drink before the
performance, or prefer to beat the rush by placing your interval order in
advance - the bar opens 30 minutes before Curtain. Bar service normally
continues post-performance.
Tea, coffee, soft-drinks, ices and chocolate
are also available during breaks.
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