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Behind the Scenes at Preston Playhouse

The Playhouse, Market Street West, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2HB

  • 14 Sep 2025
  • In person
  • Pre-booking not required

Access all areas in a guided tour of Preston Playhouse - built for worship, used for drama! See front of house and backstage, discovering the history of the building and how performances are created here today.

The Playhouse was built in 1847 as a Friends Meeting House, used by the Quakers for worship. It was described as 'a square, neat-looking, five-windowed building', though at that point it was accessed from Friargate through an alley. Its ceiling was built especially high to ensure 'purity of air' for the congregation, which must have helped its conversion to a theatre a hundred years later.

Preston Drama Club took over the building in 1949, created a more prominent entrance and foyer on Market Street West, and it has been a theatre ever since, with regular performances by local drama groups.

There are tours regularly throughout the day - turn up and join the next one. The Playhouse volunteers take you through the building, providing fascinating insights into its history, development and operation.

Timings & Tours

Sunday 14 September:
Frequent tours 1000-1600

Location & directions

The Playhouse, Market Street West, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2HB

Contact on day:
Dennis Yardley
Telephone number:
+441772495325

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:
Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

Wheelchair access to ground floor only. Tour involves three floors, with no lift access.

Additional information

The Playhouse is handy for the city centre - cross Ringway at the bottom of Friargate and turn right up to Market Street West, or from the Market go down the side of the new cinema, cross the road, and turn left. The Playhouse is just off Ringway on the left. Trinity car park - pay and display - is the nearest.

Est. tour duration:
1 hour(s)

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