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 97 people and includes Disabled Access .

An open-air Shakespeare production is staged every summer in the Reading Abbey Ruins. This Annual Production is a huge undertaking, managed in co-operation with RBC who generously, among other assistance, permit the use of the stunning grounds in and around the 11th Century Abbey Grounds and facilities. As with in-house productions, this Production is totally self managed.