Progress Theatre
WHERE
Reading
What it’s like
A small community theatre where 7 to 18 year olds can join youth theatre sessions, from theatre games to backstage skills.
This is a proper working theatre rather than a soft play or a museum, and what happens on any given visit depends on what's on. There are theatre productions and performances staged here, so an evening out could mean watching a play in a compact, 97-seat space rather than anything aimed squarely at children.
For young people themselves, the Youth Theatre is the bit worth knowing about. It's open to ages 7 to 18 and covers theatre games, improvisation, script work and the technical side of putting on a production, so a shy nine-year-old and a stagestruck sixteen-year-old both have something to get their teeth into. It won't suit a toddler looking to charge about, but for a kid who wants to act, or just try lighting and sound for a bit, it's a good fit.
Parking is the one practical snag. The theatre has its own car park at the rear but space is limited, and they'd rather you walked, took the bus, or car-shared if you can. There's on-street parking five to ten minutes away as a backup, so build a few extra minutes into your journey. Inside, there's a wheelchair space, an accessible toilet and a hearing loop, so access needs are properly thought through for a venue this size.
What’s on here
- MON12
Dance Nation
5 more dates
- FRI16
Acorn Open Studios: From tiny acorns grow mighty oaks!
18:30 · Free
- FRI16
Meet the Acorn Artists
18:30 · Free
- FRI23
Olie Brice Quartet
Live jazz at Progress Theatre as the Olie Brice Quartet perform on 23 October 2026.
- MON16
What's Wrong With Angry?
5 more dates
- SAT5
80th Anniversary Butlers and Bubbles
A fundraising gala night at Progress Theatre with brand new writing from local writers, fizz and fun.
- MON18
Julius Caesar
5 more dates
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 7 to 18 year olds keen on acting or backstage work
- Parking
- Own car park at rear, limited spaces
- Wheelchairs
- Wheelchair access and hearing loop
- The car park at the rear is small, so leave time to park on-street or share a lift
- The auditorium seats 97, so it's an intimate space rather than a big theatre
- A hearing loop and wheelchair space are both in place for access needs
- Youth Theatre sessions suit ages 7 to 18, not younger children
Plan your visit
What ages is the Youth Theatre for?
It runs for young people aged 7 to 18, covering everything from theatre games to script work and technical production skills.
Is there parking?
There's a small car park at the rear with limited spaces. On-street parking five to ten minutes away is the backup, and they encourage public transport or car sharing where you can.
Is it accessible?
Yes, there's a wheelchair space in the 97-seat auditorium, an accessible toilet and a hearing loop.
Do you need to book ahead?
There's no booking link listed here, so it's a case of getting in touch with the theatre directly for whatever's on.
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