Headgate Theatre

The Headgate Theatre is a community theatre in the heart of Colchester with rehearsals rooms and studio, hosting visiting amateur and professional groups as well as its own in-house productions.

This well-equipped “little gem of a theatre” in Colchester Town Centre has been welcoming visiting amateur and professional groups onto our stage since 2002, and a variety of users into our studio space. In March 2019 the theatre opened a new rehearsal room, meeting room and backstage work areas.

We have a packed seasonal programme offering genuine choice. From classic and modern drama to musical theatre, stand-up comedy nights to school hires, classical music to magicians - we do our best to make the experience of all of our hirers and patrons enjoyable. The theatre hosts a youth drama skills group who perform twice a year in the theatre, and an over 55’s group, Act V. The Headgate also has its own in-house production group, Headgate Theatre Productions, who mount 4 or 5 plays plus a pantomime each year following open auditions.

The main auditorium has a maximum auditorium capacity of 85 people while the studio capacity is 75 and the rehearsal space is 60. Our Lounge Bar can accommodate up to 80 and our meeting room 24. More information about the current spaces and the specification for our equipment can be found on the "Hiring Spaces" page of our website.

The Headgate Theatre is registered as a charity and is run almost entirely by a team of dedicated and committed volunteers who bring their skills to help us in whatever way they can. Whether you have an interest in acting, working backstage, publicity and marketing, helping front-of-house or in the box office, there are a variety of roles to suit.

The Headgate Theatre is proud to be part of our creative town – and provide the facilities and opportunities for local creatives to perform and develop their work.