Joseph Rountree Theater celebrates 90th anniversary

The Joseph Rowntree Theater on Haxby Road is celebrating its 90th anniversary since opening on November 18, 1935.

After being set up as a leisure venue for workers at the Rowntree factory, it continues to operate as a theater, providing shows during lunchtime for those working at the factory.

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Some of the original features of the Art Deco building, such as the flight system created by the factory workers, are still an active part of the theater today.

As we approach our 90th anniversary, the team will celebrate this tradition with an expansion of our archives, a summer show honoring past play, anniversary events, and possibly an expansion of the front of the hall itself.

One of the team's key goals is to complete the construction work on the “Garden Room”. The project will give the theater space for three additional restrooms and a bar. The current alcohol facility operates from a caravan located along the theatre's driveway. There's not enough room.

Joanne Wood and Carol Stevenson (1980) (Image: Joseph Rowntree Theatre) “That's what we want to achieve for our 90th anniversary, which would be great either way, but doing it now would be special,” said Helen Rae, the theater's box office director.

The theater team is also working with its in-house company, JRTtheatre, to organize summer concerts in which volunteer Alex Schofield scours the archives to source materials and showcases what the theater has been doing over the years.

This history is important to theatergoers and volunteers alike.

Janet McTeer and Sally Hammond in Babes in the Wood (1980) (Image: Joseph Rowntree Theatre)

“Now we have volunteers who came to the show as children, and we have people in their 70s and 80s who remember performing as children and young adults. It was part of their lives,” Helen said.

“One of the important things for us is to look at how the theater has benefited people, and obviously people have performed with us as part of our growth. There are many people who have played here over the years and have become professionals.

“We are also run by volunteers, and we love the fact that they too benefit from volunteering. Some of the people I know who volunteer have met new friends and been given a purpose. For some people, it's an important part of their life and we want to record that part as well.

“This is something really great and important, not only the tradition and uniqueness, but also the social aspect. There is also the aspect of being able to benefit the community in some way.”

Ballet Rambert (1946) (Image: Joseph Rowntree Theatre) In the summer, a ball is thrown at Milner with a performance by HUGE, a York band with strong ties to the theatre. The event is both a celebration and a fundraiser, with all money raised going to the theater.

There will also be reenactments of last year's ceilidh and events inspired by the archives held throughout the year.

“There will be more to come this year, but this is just the beginning,” Helen promised.