Chads Theatre Company
WHERE
Cheadle
What it’s like
A local am-dram theatre putting on plays and pantomime, with a bar, snacks and its own free car park.
This is a proper community theatre rather than a big touring venue, which means the atmosphere's a bit different, closer, friendlier, and the ticket prices reflect that too. They say themselves their prices are good value against professional theatres, and given there's a licensed bar, free programmes and ice creams on offer, it does feel like they mean it.
Doors open about an hour before curtain up, which gives you time to get the kids settled and grab a drink from the bar before you queue for seats. You can pre-order your interval drinks as well, so you're not fighting a crowd at half time with a restless seven-year-old in tow. Whether a particular show suits your children depends entirely on what's on: they say they flag up content warnings and age guidance where it's relevant, so that's the thing to check before booking rather than assuming panto means it's all gentle stuff.
Getting there and parking is straightforward. There's a free car park on site, and if you're cutting it fine the public car park next door is free after 6pm too, handy for an evening performance. It's also a short walk from Cheadle Hulme station if you'd rather leave the car at home.
Worth knowing if anyone in your group uses a wheelchair: the entrance, foyer, bar and main auditorium are all accessible, with two dedicated wheelchair spaces and a disabled toilet. The stage and backstage areas aren't currently accessible, and the studio space is up a flight of stairs, so anything performed there is a walking-only affair.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- Free car park on site. Free parking after 6pm in Mellor Road car park
- Food
- Licensed bar open before, during and after shows
- Wheelchairs
- Entrance, foyer, bar and auditorium accessible
- Getting there by bus or train
- Less than 5 minutes' walk from Cheadle Hulme railway station
- Doors open about an hour before the show starts
- Studio performances are up a flight of stairs, no lift
- Programmes are free with your ticket
- Public car park next door is free to use after 6pm
Plan your visit
Is it OK to bring young children?
That depends on what's showing. They say they include age ratings and content warnings on each production, so it's worth reading the synopsis for the specific show rather than assuming.
Is there parking?
There's a free car park on site for audience members. The public car park next door is also free after 6pm if that one's full.
What's available to eat or drink?
There's a licensed bar open before, during and after the show, plus teas, coffees, ice creams and snacks. You can pre-order interval drinks so you're not queuing at half time.
Is the theatre accessible for wheelchairs?
The entrance, foyer, bar and auditorium are accessible, with two dedicated wheelchair spaces and a disabled toilet. The stage and backstage aren't currently accessible, and studio shows are up a flight of stairs.
Do you offer group discounts?
No group discounts currently, as they feel their standard prices already offer good value against professional theatres.
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