Talisman Theatre and Arts Centre
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The Talisman Theatre and Arts Centre is a community theatre and company located in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England. The building has a foyer/meeting space, a theatre with 156 seats plus 2 wheelchair spaces and a rehearsal space.
History[edit]
The original company started at the Rover Works in Coventry in 1938, when a few working girls would read scripts in their lunch break. This small work tradition gradually grew in popularity, leading to a full length staged production of Sixteen in July 1940.
The Coventry Blitz forced Rover to move their workers to a new factory. By this time, the play reading group wanted a theatre to call their own and were fortunate that the wife of Charlie Randle (who owned the tannery in Warwick Road, Kenilworth) was a keen theatregoer and she managed to persuade her husband to allow the players to convert an old skin store in Kenilworth into a little theatre for a peppercorn rent.[1]
After giving the barn a much needed overhaul, the Rover Players had their theatre, which would soon be named the Talisman. The Talisman’s first show was Children to Bless You in October 1942.
In 1964, the Talisman Theatre had to be closed, making way for what is today called Talisman Square. The final show of the original theatre was Norman in May 1964.
The Talisman members spent the next few years performing in many different venues, from bars to church halls, as well as organising countless fundraising events. These efforts eventually led to the purchase of the Barrow Site where the current Theatre was built. The building was finished in 1969 and was expanded with a studio and larger backstage area in 1975. Recently, the theatre has undergone an extension in 2022.[2][3] Due to complete the first phase in 2023.
Present Day[edit]
The theatre produces 9 mainstage shows per year (including a Talisman Youth Theatre performance) and since 2022 has been presenting a Talisman Fringe[4] night at the Holiday Inn, Kenilworth. In June 2023, the Talisman Theatre will present a world Premiere of the stage version of 'Pride and Prejudice'[5] by acclaimed playwright Andrew Davies who is also a patron[6] of the Talisman Theatre.
The theatre is a member of the Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain[7] as well as being affiliated to the National Operatic and Dramatic Association[8]
The Talisman Theatre also has an extensive archive of previous shows and cast[9] and a detailed insight into the backstage workings and set design at the Talisman Theatre was recently published.[10][11]
The Talisman Theatre celebrated their 80 year anniversary in 2022.
The Talisman Theatre and Arts Centre is a registered charity[12] and is listed by Warwick District Council as a Creative Organisation.[13]
The Talisman Theatre and Arts Centre has a website at Talisman Theatre
References[edit]
- ↑ Gould, Graham. "THE OLD TALISMAN THEATRE THE NEW TALISMAN THEATRE".
- ↑ "Kenilworth's Talisman Theatre set for long-awaited spruce-up". Leamington Observer.
- ↑ Smith, Kirstie (26 January 2023). "Kenilworth's Talisman Theatre gets a new website as part of wider development project". Warwickshire World.
- ↑ "Kenilworth Nub News". Kenilworth Nub News.
- ↑ "Kenilworth Nub News". Kenilworth Nub News.
- ↑ "Talisman Theatre Patrons". Talisman Theatre and Arts Centre.
- ↑ Fenner, John. "The Little Theatre Guild - how you can get involved". BBC News.
- ↑ "Talisman Theatre Company". NODA.
- ↑ Fenner, John. "Talisman Archive". Talisman Archive.
- ↑ Ellam, John (2021). Get Set. Search this book on
- ↑ "New book lifts the curtain on life backstage at Kenilworth theatre". Rugby Observer.
- ↑ "TALISMAN THEATRE COMPANY". Charity Commission.
- ↑ "Creative Organisations". WarwickDC.Gov.Uk.
Coordinates: 52°20′27″N 1°34′56″W / 52.34076°N 1.58221°W
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