Lyceum Theatre, Crewe

The Lyceum Theatre is Crewe's principal playhouse, an Edwardian building on Heath Street in the centre of this Cheshire railway town. Grade II listed and designed by Albert Winstanley, it opened in 1911 on the site of two earlier theatres and still carries plenty of period character, from the plasterwork on the proscenium arch and ceiling rose to the boxes framing the auditorium. Managed by Trafalgar Theatres, it offers a year-round mix of plays, musicals, comedy, live music and family shows, along with exhibitions, and it sits within easy walking distance of both the bus station and Crewe railway station.

Theatre on this site began with a conversion rather than a new build. A Roman Catholic church had been put up here to serve Irish immigrants working on the railway, and when the congregation moved to a larger church in the town in 1876 the site passed to Thomas Cliffe, a local farmer. He allowed Henry Taylor, a local printer, to turn the church into a theatre.

Taylor wanted something purpose built, and the New Lyceum Theatre opened on 21 November 1887 at a cost of £5,000, seating 1,250 people. It was re-fitted in 1908 and renamed the Opera House. On 11 March 1910 fire destroyed the building, and the decision was taken to rebuild on the same spot. The replacement theatre, designed by Albert Winstanley with 850 seats, opened on 6 October 1911. It is built of Accrington-type brick under a slate roof, three storeys high with a gabled façade, and a two-storey block alongside houses the entrance and offices.

Terence Byron, who owned theatres elsewhere in the country, acquired it in the early 1930s. Crewe Borough Council bought the theatre in 1955 and set up a management trust in 1964, and for years it ran as a repertory house. Performers who later became well known worked here early in their careers, among them Glenda Jackson, Richard Beckinsale, Judy Loe and Lynda Bellingham. Management returned to Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council in 1982.

The building was listed Grade II on 6 July 1976. The council redecorated it and installed new seating in 1992, and in 1994 a £1.5 million scheme rebuilt the front of house facilities and remodelled the gallery. The Lyceum has continued in use as a theatre ever since, and is managed by Trafalgar Theatres.

The entrance to the Lyceum Theatre is accessible for wheelchair users, and lifts serve all floors of the building.

• Wheelchair spaces are in the stalls and can be booked through the box office.
• Accessible toilets are on the mezzanine, circle and gallery levels.
• Hearing support: a Sennheiser infra-red system covers the stalls, with free headsets to collect from the box office before the performance begins.
• Large print: the brochure is available in a large print version.
• Assistance dogs: guide, hearing and other working dogs are welcome throughout the theatre.
• Carer tickets: a complimentary ticket for an essential companion is available when bought alongside a full-price ticket, by telephone or in person. ID verification may be required.

Captioned, audio-described and relaxed performances are offered on selected productions. Because this is a historic building, some areas are not step free: the studio space is reached either by lift from the foyer to the circle followed by 24 steps, or by two lifts and then one step into the studio. Staff can advise or assist on arrival.

Tell the box office about any additional requirements when you book. Access tickets can also be requested using the online form when the box office is closed. Additional security checks are in place at the venue, so allow a little extra time on arrival.