Chelmsford is not overly blessed with abundant Theatres, but what we do have is usually pretty high quality and well worth a visit. The main theatre buildings are the Chelmsford Civic Theatre and Cramphorn Theatre in Fairfield Road and the Old Court Theatre in Springfield Road.

The Civic and the Cramphorn are managed by the Arts and Entertainmentsʼ Service of Chelmsford Borough Council through the Councilʼs Leisure and Cultural Services.

The Civic Theatre has approx 500 seats in the auditorium and offers a pretty varied programme of professional, touring and amateur events throughout the year, not all of which is to my taste but they do try to appeal to everybody. From classical drama and dance to all kinds of music and family friendly stuff, there should be something for everyone.

The Cramphorn Theatre (adjoining the Civic), a smaller studio theatre seating 150+, presents a programme of smaller scale professional touring theatre, music productions, dance and lunchtime concerts and some film screenings. They have live music nights which showcase the best local bands on the first Saturday of every month.

Both the Civic and Cramphorn Theatres are located on Fairfield Road (car park entrance off Coval Lane) and are just two minutes walk from the railway station and new bus station. There is ample free parking in the Fairfield Road car park next to the theatres from 5.00pm weekdays and Saturdays and all day Sunday. There are three designated disabled parking bays and level access from all areas of the car park. Wheelchair access is via powered doors into the Civic Theatre at the front of the building. The Theatre auditoriums and bars have ramped and level access, and there is level access to the Box Office and disabled toilet. The Civic Theatre Balcony is not wheelchair accessible.

Chelmsford Council take wheelchair access very seriously so facilities are good I think. The Civic Theatre has 4 wheelchair spaces. The Cramphorn also has provision for 2 wheelchairs. For further info contact

Box Office: 01245 606505
Email:boxoffice@chelmsford.gov.uk
Email:theatreaccess@chelmsford.gov.uk
Duty Manager: 01245 606950

The Old Court Theatre is run by the Chelmsford Theatre Workshop (CTW).

Formed in 1969, CTW is an independent, amateur company which aims to present new, interesting and challenging plays, as well as provide practical experience in all aspects of drama. CTW is self-financing and its members control and run the premises and decide what direction the theatre takes. The theatre is situated just half a mile from the town centre, opposite the prison. The Railway and Bus Stations are about 15 to 20 minutes walk away.

Parking around here is a nightmare; but evening parking is now available in the street outside the theatre as restrictions have been lifted, but spaces are very limited. Some parking is available along Sandford Road and Arbour Lane, but the closest large car park is the Riverside Car Park which is about 4 mins walk so itʼs not too bad. More Info

As is usual these days a non smoking policy applies in the Civic and Cramphorn and Old Court Theatres. Hooray!

Other local Groups that may be worth looking out for are

Kelvedon Players who have been doing amateur drama in Kelvedon for over fifty years. More Info

Theatre at Baddow in Great Baddow, Chelmsford who perform plays throughout the year. More Info

Springers Amateur Operatic Dramatic Society founded in 1982 who have slots at The Civic Theatre and Cramphorn