A History of Derby Playhouse
This monograph charts the development of Derby Playhouse from the seeds sown during World War II, through the creation of the Derby Little Theatre in 1948, the establishment of the first Playhouse in Sacheveral Street in 1952, the fire and the rebuilding in 1957, and on to the triumphant opening of the new Derby Playhouse designed by Roderick Ham in 1975. Already during this early period a plethora of actors appeared who became nationally and internationally known.
It charts the challenges the company had to face and some of its greatest triumphs.
The monograph also shows that when the company was controversially forced into administration in 2007 it had not only paid its bills and all its staff, but was poised to trade into a significant surplus after the impact of two years of disruption caused by the building of a new shopping centre around the theatre and the associated major road works. The explanation for these events and the subsequent extended struggle to save the theatre and hold those responsible for the unnecessary disaster to account, are here put on the record in defence of those whose reputations were unjustly traduced. It is unclear whether the other parties responsible have learned the lessons they should have learned from these events. The Playhouse company itself was formally dissolved in 2015 having previously sold its Theatre to the University of Derby, but the future of Derby Theatre (as it is now known) as a cultural powerhouse for the City and the region is now secure.
Pages iv, 185; illustrations: 116 colour, 86 b/w
Published by Quandary Books March 2023
ISBN: 978-1-913253-24-0