Joseph Rowntree Theatre

About

The Joseph Rowntree Theatre is a historic theatre on Haxby Road in the north of York, a city in England. The theatre was commissioned by the Rowntree's chocolate company, as a facility for its workers, alongside a library, swimming pool and bowling green. It was designed by Barry Parker and Raymond Unwin in the Art Deco style, and was completed in 1935. It was named the "Joseph Rowntree Hall" in memory of Joseph Rowntree, former co-owner of the company, and originally operated as both a theatre and a lecture hall. At the time, it was connected to the factory's canteen, and workers could watch films during their lunch breaks. Rowntree's was bought by Nestle in 1988, which in 2012 sold the theatre to York St John University. It continued to be operated by the Joseph Rowntree Village Trust, and was later purchased by the trust. In 2014, the roof was replaced, and a new bar installed. At the time, the theatre was run by around 150 volunteers. In 2017, the in-house Joseph Rowntree Theatre Company was established. The building has been grade II listed since 2003.

The theatre is constructed of brown brick, and has concrete dressings and a pantile roof. The building is mostly three...