Harlow Playhouse

The Playhouse Theatre in Harlow has close links with the Epping Forest District. It is owned and funded primarily by Harlow Council but Epping Forest District Council does contribute and it is regularly used as a venue by our own Arts section, Epping Forest Arts.

 

• The Playhouse
  Playhouse Square
  Harlow
  Essex
  CM20 1LS
• Tel: 01279 446760
• Fax: 01279 424391
• Email: playhouse@harlow.gov.uk 
• Or visit the website at www.playhouseharlow.com

The Playhouse provides high quality, accessible theatre for local residents.

History

Harlow has an impressive history as far as the arts are concerned.Long before The Playhouse opened, there were numerous local groups covering all aspects of the arts, especially drama. For example, at one time there were over 15 drama groups operating in Harlow and the world-famous Alberni String Quartet started out as the town's own professional musicians-in-residence.

Therefore, building work started in April 1970 to provide a proper venue for all the performing arts.The theatre was (and still is) a service of Harlow Council and the building itself was funded by a number of bodies, including Harlow Development Corporation, the Arts Council, the British Film Institute and Essex County Council.The first Box Office was a hut sited where Iceland now stands and opened in June 1971.The Playhouse itself opened five months later with a Gala Show starring the young entertainer, Lulu.

After 24 years of providing a fantastic mix of live entertainment (both amateur and professional), film and visual arts, the Harlow Theatre Trust went into voluntary liquidation on 8 June 1995.However, even as it closed plans were already being implemented to re-open The Playhouse, which it did in May 1996.

Since then, The Playhouse has gone from strength to strength, with a 31% rise in attendance and a staggering 57% rise in Box Office takings over the last few years. Similarly, the range of entertainment on offer continues to increase, ensuring there really is something to suit everyone.