The Gordon Craig Theatre is a theatre in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. Opened in 1975, the 501-seat theatre on Lytton Way houses a rehearsal room, scenic workshop, wardrobe, café, bar, and art gallery.

Overview The theatre is housed in the Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre, which is situated on Lytton Way, and takes its name from Edward Gordon Craig, the theatre practitioner who was born less than a mile away. Designed to accommodate orchestral concerts alongside produced and visiting theatrical events, it has also been used to screen films and host organ recitals. The Theatres Trust describes the theatre as: "probably the best-designed civic entertainment centre of its type in the country".

The theatre was officially opened in February 1976 by HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

The Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre contains two halls. The smaller of these is the Gordon Craig Theatre itself, which has a capacity of 501. The stage features a proscenium up to 12.2m wide and the stage depth is 7.62m. The theatre boasts a proud tradition of presenting plays, pantomime, opera, dance and orchestral concerts.

The venue also celebrates 50 years of providing Entertainment and Pantomimes in November this year (2025) and is celebrating by holding a Gala Event on the 27th November 2025. The Pantomime chosen for the 50th year returns to the first Pantomime staged at the Gordon Craig Theatre, Dick Whittington & His Cat.

Also located within the Arts & Leisure Centre is the Concert Hall, derived from a large gymnasium, which has a capacity of 1,200. The concert hall plays host to a variety of shows including live music and comedy.

History From the early 1960s there was discussion on the need for an Arts / Leisure centre in the new town of Stevenage. In 1968, Stevenage Arts Trust resolved to commence the building of an Arts Centre on land granted by Stevenage Development Corporation. Architects Messrs Vincent, Gorbing and Partners drew up detailed plans for a 488-seat theatre to cost £300,000. The scheme was put on hold due to a lack of capital. In 1968 a feasibility study was commissioned by Stevenage Urban District Council and the Stevenage Development Corporation for a combined Arts/Sports Centre. In 1969 Stevenage Urban District Council and Stevenage Development Corporation accepted the Initial Design Brief prepared by the architects. In 1972, the architects confirmed that the final design drawings were completed, the final cost was estimated at £1,610,218. The foundation stone was laid on 14 June 1974 by Baroness Lee, the former Labour minister, Jennie Lee. Opening for The Danesgate Theatre, as the building was then to be known, was planned for November 1975.

Naming and Openings On the suggestion of Roger Dyason, the first Arts' Manager of the Centre, proposal was made in August 1975 to a Full Council Meeting of Stevenage Borough Council that the theatre should be named The Gordon Craig Theatre. This motion was passed. The £2.7 million sports and arts centre opened to the public on 3 November 1975 with a gala variety bill produced by Bunny Baron featuring Ted Rogers. The Leisure Centre was officially opened in February 1976 by HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, accompanied by the Director of Leisure Services at Stevenage Borough Council, Mr M. L. Banks.

Design The theatre has a plain, fan-shaped auditorium with excellent sightlines. It is a modern, fully-equipped touring and, occasionally, producing theatre with fourteen dressing rooms, and an optional orchestra pit. it has also been used for cinema screenings.

Architect Ray Gorbing's original exterior design proved controversial. It attracted both admirers and those horrified at the aesthetic of the building. Panels of glass and reinforced plastic had been used to insulate the building against noise from rail, road and overhead aircraft. The orange coloured cladding led to it being nicknamed "Gorbing’s orange box". The Architects' Journal described the building: "designed as a simple rectangular coloured box… it reflects the integration of activities within and also expresses the introvert nature of these activities…the bright colour provides a positive image." The orange cladding was later replaced.

Performances

The programme offered by the Gordon Craig Theatre is currently strongly focused on music (including tribute bands), comedy, popular dance, popular entertainment and family shows. The theatre also plays host to productions presented by local amateur and community groups. In addition, since 2012 the theatre has produced three shows in-house annually, incorporating musicals and drama.

Pantomimes One of the major highlights of the yearly programme is the pantomime. +Pantomimes at The Gordon Craig TheatreYearProductionCast Included:DirectorProducerTicket PricesFeaturesRefs.1975/1976Dick WhittingtonGeorge Chishold, Alan Wells, Don Crann, Sandra Carrier, Jackie Gaytone, Graham WoolnoughBunny Baron£0.70–1.001976/1977CinderellaAdrienne Posta, Anita Graham, Elizabeth Suggars, Henry Metcalfe, Stanley Beard, Vivienne McKeeRobin BowditchMark Furness£1.00–1.40two real ponies1977/1978Babes in the WoodAlan Granville, Davies and Gray, Elise Gilman-Abel, Eunice Black, Jan Austen, John Boulter, John Bromley, Rodney DiakTony Clayton£1.10–1.601978/1979Mother Goose1979/1980AladdinAlan Randall, Carol Leroy, David Barry, David Masterman, George Reibbitt, Roz Cole, Sara Rae-Maddern, Valentine PalmerRon RichardsMalcolm Knight£1.40–2.001980/1981Jack and the BeanstalkBob Grant, Charlie GrayRon RichardsMalcolm Knight£1.80 - £2.501981/1982Sinbad the SailorAlan Randall, Ken Wilson, Michele Breeze, Richard Wilding, Adam Daye and John O’FlynnRon RichardsMalcolm Knight£2.20–3.201982/1983Goldilocks and the Three BearsDeborah Watling, Colin Baker, Michael Sharvill Martin, Spencer K Gibbins, Davis & Field1983/1984CinderellaPeter Byrne, Betty Benfield, Kathryn Apanowicz, Ken Wood, Linda Hayden, Nigel Ellacot, Peter Robbins, Spencer K. GibbinsPeter ByrnePaul Elliott£2.25–4.00Perrier Petite Ponies1984/1985Puss in BootsAndrew Betts, Bobby Crush, Carol Leroy, Georgina Cole Young Set, Jane Stevens, John Ayldon, Mimi LawCharles Haley Productions£2.25 - £4.001985/1986Snow White and the Seven DwarfsNicholas Smith, Nicola BryantKevin WoodKevin Wood Productions1986/1987AladdinFloella Benjamin, Paul Laidlaw, Peter DenyerKevin Wood Productions1987/1988Dick WhittingtonIan Lavender, Ricky Simmons, Jane Hardy, Peter DenyerKevin Wood Productions£2.80–5.301988/1989Babes in the WoodJohn Clegg, Nigel Pivaro, Paul Laidlaw, Tessa HattsPaul LaidlawKevin Wood Productions£3.25–5.95a real waterfall1989/1990CinderellaBarbara Windsor, Richard Whitmore, Bobbie Lawrence, Paul Laidlaw, Steve Marsh, Richard SwerrunPaul LaidlawKevin Wood Productions£3.25–6.501990/1991Mother GooseAlfred Marks, Terry Hall, Paul Laidlaw, Steve Marsh, Dorothy Vernon, Claire Woyka, Peter Russell, Nigel MakinKevin Wood Productions£3.50–7.00dancing fountains1991/1992Jack and the BeanstalkRuth Madoc, Paul Laidlaw, Steve MarshPaul LaidlawKevin Wood Productions£4.65–8.151992/1993Puss in BootsJack Smethurst, Paul Laidlaw, David Horn, Terry Gleed, Andrew TruluckPaul LaidlawKevin Wood Productions1993/1994AladdinBarbara Windsor, Paul Laidlaw, Jeff StevensonPaul LaidlawKevin Wood Productions£5.00–9.50flying carpet, cascading waterfall1994/1995Snow White and the Seven DwarfsMaggie Dence (Neighbours), Michelle Hatch, Warwick Davis, Kim Smith, Andrew TruluckMalcolm FarquharKevin Wood Productions1995/1996Dick WhittingtonJohn Altman, Colin Deveraux, John Pickard, Mark Rattray, Andrew Truluck, Amanda NoarPeter DenyerKevin Wood Productions1996/1997Sleeping BeautyKate O'mara, Mark RattrayPeter DenyerKevin Wood Pantomimes£6.50–11.251997/1998Jack and the BeanstalkToby Anstis, Jess Conrad, Colin Devereaux, Alistair Divall, Deborah ChadPeter DenyerKevin Wood Pantomimes£7.00–11.251998/1999CinderellaRomana D'Annunzio, Arvid Larsen, Paul Zerdin, Richard Cawley, Scott St Martyn, Richard Whitmore, Joanne ConwayPeter DenyerKevin Wood PantomimesIce Skating Scene1999/2000AladdinDiane Louise Jordan (Blue Peter), Colin Devereaux, Warwick Davis, Marcel Bracks (Heartbreak High) and Philip MadocPeter DenyerKevin Wood Pantomimes£7.95–12.45jewelled cavern, laser spectacular2000/2001Snow White and the Seven DwarfsToyah Willcox, Colin Devereaux, Warwick Davis, Jez Edwards, Scott St Martyn, Sophie Martin, Stephen GauntPeter DenyerKevin Wood Pantomimes£7.25–12.85laser in the forest2001/2002Dick WhittingdonJez Edwards, Jonathan Owen, Lynette McMorrough, Peter Duncan, Philip Madoc, Scott St MartinPeter DenyerKevin Wood Pantomimeslaser show2002/2003CinderellaBradley Walsh, Jack Edwards, Lynette McMorrough, Melissa Familly, Scott St Martyn, Stephen HuntPeter DenyerKevin Wood PantomimesReal Ponies and Carriage2003/2004Jack and the BeanstalkBradley Walsh, Paul Laidlaw, Emily Brooks, Jack Edwards, Ben Dudley, Amanda HallPaul LaidlawKevin Wood PantomimesLaser Show2004/2005AladdinGemma Harris, Graham Kent, Lucy Benjamin, Mike McClean, Paul Laidlaw, Scott St MartynPaul LaidlawKevin Wood Pantomimes£8.00–17.00Laser Show2005/2006Snow White and the Seven DwarfsShane Lynch, Sarah Shepherd, Paul Laidlaw, Ben Roddy, Steve WallsPaul LaidlawKevin Wood Pantomimes£10.00–17.752006/2007Dick WhittingtonPaul Laidlaw, Jack Edwards, Sheila Ferguson (The Three Degrees and I'm a Celebrity), Stefan Booth (Hollyoaks)Paul LaidlawEvolution Pantomimes£9.00–19.50Projection Underwater Scene2007/2008CinderellaBen Nicholas, Amanda Barrie, Paul Laidlaw, Scott St. Martyn, Ben Roddy, Rachel Jerram Paul LaidlawEvolution PantomimesReal Ponies and Carriage2008/2009Jack and the BeanstalkBen Nicholas, David Spinx, Claire Huckle, Kate Burrell, Keith Miller, Paul Burling, Paul Laidlaw, Scott St MartynPaul LaidlawEvolution PantomimesLaser Show2009/2010AladdinJohn Altman, Paul Laidlaw, Tom Beard, Phil Holden, Junix Inocian, Kate Burrell, Craig Perry, Laura EmmittPaul LaidlawEvolution PantomimesLaser Show2010/2011Snow White and the Seven DwarfsSue Holderness, Daniel Boys, Paul Laidlaw, Katie Rowley-Jones, Chris Clarkson, Claire RickardPaul LaidlawJordan ProductionsSnow Scene2011/2012Beauty and the BeastBernie Nolan, Paul Laidlaw, Leanne Jones, Chris Clarkson, Rachel Jerram, Graham James, Simon PontinChris JordanJordan ProductionsMagical Flying end of Act 12012/2013Robin HoodBrian Capron, Paul Laidlaw, Tracey Penn, David Dobson, Ray Griffiths, Paul Bentley, John Alistair, Francesca LeylandChris JordanJordan ProductionsWaterfall and Rain2013/2014CinderellaGillian Wright, Paul Laidlaw, Derek Walker, Scott Cripps, Rebecca Tyson, Rebecca Lisewski, Imogen Brooke, Graham JamesChris JordanJordan ProductionsFlying Horse and Carriage2014/2015AladdinShaun Williamson, Paul Laidlaw, Junix Inocian, Aidan O'Neill, Hannah Malekzad, CG Fraser, Micha Richardson, Christina Hoey, Adam ShoreyChris JordanJordan ProductionsLaser Show2015/2016Sleeping BeautyWendi Peters, Paul Laidlaw, Aidan O'Neill, Gregor Stewart, Daniella Piper, Nicola Bryan, Paul BentleyChris JordanJordan ProductionsCO2 Jets,