Who Are we:
The Theatre is Reading’s oldest working theatre, having been established in 1951 by the Progress Theatre company, which was itself established in 1947.
Progress Theatre enjoys good relations with the Arts and Leisure department of Reading Borough Council, and stages the 350-seat Reading Abbey Ruins Open Air Shakespeare in partnership with Reading Borough Council each summer. We are also assisted by a Community Grant from Reading Borough Council.
We are members of the Little Theatre Guild (LTG) and the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) and we are a registered in England as a charity (no. 205440).
Mission Statement
To create excellent theatre
Key Objectives
- To present a quality programme of popular and challenging theatre
- To keep members happy and involved
- To provide an attractive and safe venue
- To remain financially viable
- To pursue a development strategy
Core Values
- To pursue excellence in theatrical standards
- To make involvement enjoyable
- To treat everyone with respect and without discrimination
- To foster personal development
A Brief History
The Progress Theatre was established in 1946 by a young, enthusiastic and futuristic group of Reading people as a voluntary theatre group in Reading to present new and challenging productions.
The first production was staged in 1947 and for five years performances were in Palmer Hall, West Street. The Mildmay Hall in The Mount was found to be available for rent from the Co-operative Society who agreed to its use as a theatre. The members together with families and friends, converted it into a working theatre and the first production was in October 1951. In 1963/64 after a massive Fund Raising campaign, the Freehold of the building was bought (thanks to a fair selling price from the Co-op).
The basis of the present Foyer was built at that time together with other, then modern, facilities. With other alterations and extensions over the years, Productions are still staged in the same building: it now seats 95 people and includes Disabled Access .
