Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent

The Regent Theatre stands on Piccadilly in Hanley, at the heart of Stoke-on-Trent's city centre, and is one of the region's principal receiving houses for large scale touring work. Built in 1929 as a cinema and dressed in Art Deco style, it was converted for full time theatre use in 1999 following a £23 million redevelopment of the city centre. Run by ATG Entertainment on behalf of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, it seats around 1,600 and welcomes touring musicals, plays, comedy, live music and an annual pantomime. It also serves as the northern base for Glyndebourne Touring Opera.

The building opened in 1929 as a cinema, commissioned by Provincial Cinematograph Theatres as one of a family of Regents built around the country, with others in Bournemouth, Brighton and Bristol. It was designed by William E. Trent and opened by the Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, William Leason. From the start it was built for cine-variety rather than film alone, with a stage used for live turns between screenings and a Wurlitzer organ installed. The Art Deco frontage is clad in white glazed terracotta, with masks of comedy and tragedy at each corner.

In 1950, by then owned by Gaumont British, the venue was renamed the Gaumont and began hosting local amateur dramatic productions after the nearby Theatre Royal closed. It also became a concert stop, with performances over the years from Shirley Bassey, Cliff Richard, Stevie Wonder and The Beatles. It was converted into a three screen cinema as the Gaumont Film Centre in 1974 and taken over by Odeon in 1976, before closing in 1989 when a new eight screen Odeon multiplex opened.

By the late 1990s the building had deteriorated badly and the interior dome had suffered extensive water damage. The Regent Theatre Trust, led by a small group headed by Richard Talbot, was formed to drive the restoration, and the city council later took the redevelopment on as part of its Cultural Quarter scheme. The original stage house and part of the auditorium were demolished to make way for a new stage, backstage facilities and orchestra pit, while the auditorium was restored with a new proscenium arch, new front of house areas and full disabled access.

The three-year, £23 million project ended with a pre-opening concert by local amateur company The Porthill Players, and the theatre reopened officially on 22 September 1999 with a national touring production of Annie. Elizabeth II performed the official opening in October 1999. Since then the Regent has hosted tours including War Horse, Mamma Mia!, Cats, Starlight Express, 42nd Street, Thoroughly Modern Millie and The Woman in Black, along with a pantomime each year that has frequently starred local performer Jonathan Wilkes.

ATG Entertainment states that it aims to remove barriers so that everyone can enjoy a visit comfortably. Access seating can be booked through the free Access Membership Scheme, which also allows eligible customers to book essential companion tickets and receive information about access performances.

Getting in and moving around

• There are 9 steps from the front doors up to the foyer, with an access lift on the left as you enter, suitable for wheelchair users and buggies.
• A lift serves all levels of the theatre from the foyer, with an audible announcer, and all stairwells have handrails.
• The platform lift takes wheelchairs up to 82cm x 140cm with a combined weight limit of 400kg; the passenger lift takes wheelchairs up to 78cm x 140cm with a combined weight limit of 630kg.
• Accessible toilets are in the Foyer, the Stalls Bar and the Circle Bar.

Wheelchair spaces and seating

• For step free access, Rows AA to E are recommended in the Stalls and Row B in the Circle.
• There are 6 wheelchair positions in the Stalls and 4 in the Circle, with up to 14 additional wheelchairs accommodated on Row E in the Stalls.
• Stalls and Circle seats are around 41cm wide, fold down, with fixed arm rests and 44cm (17 inches) between the armrests.
• Perch seats (high seats, 70cm, with no arm rests) are available: 16 in the Stalls at Row V 1 to 8 and V 9 to 16, and 14 in the Circle at Row H 1 to 7 and H 25 to 31, plus 3 either side in the Box positions AA 1 to 3 and AA 4 to 6.

Sensory services

• Audio described performances and touch tours are advertised on the relevant show page or brochure listing; Stalls seats are recommended for anyone who wants a closer view, though any area works for audio description.
• This venue does not have an infra-red hearing loop system and cannot accommodate headsets for Mobile Connect.
• A Visual Story is available to help autistic visitors and anyone who would like to prepare for a visit: email stokeaccess@atgentertainment.com.

Access booking

Accessibility Assistance on 0333 009 5399, or via Typetalk on 1800 1 0333 009 5399.