Churchill Theatre, Bromley

The Churchill Theatre stands at the heart of Bromley, on the High Street in south east London, built into a hillside beside the central library and overlooking Church House Gardens. Run by Trafalgar Theatres, it seats 781 in a main auditorium designed in the manner of a European opera house, with a large stage and workshops below, plus a smaller Studio space for more intimate work. The programme ranges across touring plays, music and tribute concerts, dance, family shows and comedy. Bromley South and Bromley North stations are both a short walk away, as are the town centre car parks.

The Churchill Theatre was built by the London Borough of Bromley to designs from the borough architect's department, with Ken Wilson credited as architect. It was conceived as a repertory theatre in the manner of a European opera house, with a large stage and sub-stage workshops, and was integrated into the central library complex overlooking Church House Gardens and Library Gardens.

The hillside site shaped the building. Setting the auditorium below ground level, and disguising the number and size of the lower floors, makes the theatre look smaller from the street than it really is. Audiences descend from the foyer into the auditorium rather than climbing to it.

Named after the former Prime Minister Winston Churchill, the theatre took seven years to build at a cost of £1.63m and was inaugurated on 19 July 1977 by the Prince of Wales. It seats 781.

Management has changed hands over the years: the theatre was run under contract by Ambassador Theatre Group, then by HQ Theatres and Hospitality, and is now operated by Trafalgar Entertainment. In July 2024 Bromley Council advertised the freehold as land for sale, and in September 2024 the council announced that, following discussions with Trafalgar Entertainment, an offer for the freehold had been accepted.

The Churchill Theatre offers captioned, audio described, relaxed and sign interpreted performances on selected productions. Captions display the actors' words along with sound effects on units beside the stage. Audio description headsets are collected from the box office before the performance and only the wearer hears the commentary. Relaxed performances adjust light and sound levels, provide a chill out space and welcome movement and noise in the auditorium. For sign interpreted performances an interpreter stands in a visible position, and a seat space can be set aside for guide or assistance dogs.

Getting into the building

• Level access from the pedestrianised High Street and from Churchill Way to the box office, the Circle Foyer and the Circle.
• Level access from Tetty Way to Stalls row F.
• A lift runs from the Terrace to the Stalls, level with row F. Please ask a member of staff to escort you.
• An access lifting platform links the Circle Foyer and the Terrace.
• Step-free access from the Circle Foyer to the back row of the Circle, row HH.
• All staircases in the building and the auditorium have handrails on both sides and are highlighted.
• The Lounge is reached by a flight of 10 steps and does not have step-free access. Once inside the Lounge there is step-free access to the bar and toilets.
• The Studio is up 25 steps from the theatre foyer, or 34 steps from the lift, which is reached via the Stage Door on Tetty Way. There are 7 steps from the Studio to the nearest toilets. Wheelchair access to the Studio is via the park, and staff can escort you as the route is steep in places.

Wheelchair spaces

• A limited number of spaces in the main auditorium, in both the Stalls and the Circle, plus spaces in the Studio.
• Stalls: a space at the end of row F, seat 36, suitable for smaller wheelchairs, with a companion seat alongside. Aisle seats E33 and G40 suit patrons transferring from a wheelchair or needing easy access.
• Circle: spaces at HH 1 to 5 and HH 15. A companion may be seated in the row in front so that spaces are not lost to other patrons, and can be admitted free of charge.
• There is 1 shallow, wide step per row in the Stalls, and 4 deep steps per row in the Circle apart from row HH.

Guide, hearing and other working dogs are welcome in all parts of the theatre. A visual story is available to help you prepare for a visit: email the box office and they will send you a copy. Additional security checks are in place, so allow a little extra time on arrival.