Dartford Borough Council has announced that the show will go on! A new temporary venue, Orchard West, will open later this year – and in time for panto season!
The state-of-the-art theatre will operate for the duration of the closure of the town’s theatre for essential works and provide a high-quality, comfortable theatre-going experience.
Located just yards from the existing theatre, Orchard West will help to protect jobs and businesses within the local economy. The venue will be capable of presenting many of the shows originally scheduled at The Orchard over coming months – with more to be added – and the temporary venue will be up and running in time for this year’s glittering pantomime Beauty and the Beast starring soap star, actress and singer Shona McGarty.
Orchard West is scheduled to open in late November as a fully-functional, temporary, enclosed performance space with 1,000 seats – complete with comfortable seating, heating and cooling systems, access provision and full backstage and front-of-house facilities including indoor toilets and bars.
Located on the Westgate site (between Hythe Street and Orchard Street), just a stone’s throw from The Orchard Theatre, Orchard West will be a unique and exciting setting for audiences to continue to enjoy live performances in a warm, safe and comfortable environment.
Crucially, the venue will also support the continuing employment of the theatre team, visiting artists and backstage crew. This is an exciting development that will keep the magic of live performances alive in Dartford!