Orchard Theatre, Dartford

The Orchard Theatre is Dartford's main venue for touring entertainment, standing on Home Gardens in the centre of the Kent town. Built by Dartford Borough Council and opened in 1983, the receiving house, which seats up to 1,025 depending on configuration (the operator quotes 956), has long brought popular music, comedy, dance, drama, classical concerts, family shows and an annual pantomime to north Kent. The theatre is currently closed while essential building works are completed, and its programme has moved to a temporary venue nearby called Orchard West, on the Westgate site at 20-54 Hythe Street, with a return to the main building expected in December 2026. Both venues are run by Trafalgar Theatres.

The Orchard Theatre was built by Dartford Borough Council and opened by The Duke of Kent on Thursday 14 April 1983. From the start it was conceived as a receiving house for the town, giving Dartford a stage large enough to take touring music, comedy, dance, drama and family shows rather than producing work of its own.

HQ Theatres took over the management in 2008. In March 2021 the Orchard passed to Trafalgar Entertainment, and it sits today within the Trafalgar Theatres group.

In September 2023 Dartford Council temporarily closed the building over safety concerns relating to reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, or RAAC, used in its original construction. Rather than pause the programme, the operator moved performances to a temporary venue in the town called Orchard West, which has hosted the touring schedule, the pantomime season and the creative learning programme since.

Essential works at the main theatre are ongoing, and the Orchard is expected to reopen in December 2026, when performances will return to the original auditorium on Home Gardens. Until then, audiences booking Orchard shows should check which of the two venues their performance is playing in.

Both venues welcome disabled visitors, and captioned, audio-described, relaxed and sign-interpreted performances are offered on selected productions. To request accessible seating or ask any access questions, call the ticketing team on 0343 310 0033.

At The Orchard Theatre

• An accessible ramped entrance sits at the side of the building, to the right of the main front doors, leading in at the same level as the Lower Bar, auditorium Doors A and B for the Front Stalls, and an accessible toilet operated by a Radar Key.
• A lift serves the ground floor, the stalls bar, the circle bar and Door B for the Upper Stalls.
• The main front entrance gives access to the coffee shop, merchandise and ticket office.
• Six wheelchair spaces are provided, three on each side of the Front Stalls, with a seat alongside each one for a personal assistant.
• A further wheelchair and personal assistant space is available in the Upper Stalls on Door C.
• A second accessible toilet, also operated by a Radar Key, is in the circle bar at Door C.

At Orchard West

• An accessible ramped entrance at the main front entrance brings you in level with the theatre bar, an accessible toilet, the merchandise and ticket desk and both auditorium Doors A and B.
• The only stairs are within the tiered seating section at the rear of the auditorium.
• Nine wheelchair spaces run along Row V at the base of the tiered seating, each with a seat alongside for a personal assistant.

Captioned performances display the actors' words along with sound effects on units beside the stage. Audio description is delivered live through the hearing systems, with an infrared audio enhancement system and an induction loop installed. Relaxed performances adjust light and sound levels, provide a chill out space and welcome movement and noise in the auditorium. At sign-interpreted performances an interpreter stands in a visible position, and a seat space can be made available for guide or assistance dogs. A visual story is available to help you prepare for a visit.

Additional security checks are being carried out, so it is worth arriving earlier than usual.