In February 1984, a group of people who were interested in forming a new amateur dramatic society met at the Savoy Hotel in Cheltenham after seeing a small advert in the Gloucestershire Echo. 

The result of that meeting and some initial funding from Bovis Homes plans to perform 'Oklahoma' at the Shaftesbury Hall Theatre in Cheltenham. 

The first production team was made up of Richard Sharpe (Musical Director), John and Gill Pannett (Director and Choreographer), with guidance and support from Anne Emery and Catherine Newman (rehearsal pianist).

 

Shaftesbury Hall continued to be the home for Promenade Productions until the theatre was redeveloped into a housing complex, at which time we took the decision to move to The Bacon Theatre at Dean Close School.

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In July 2019, we trod new boards at the Playhouse Theatre in Cheltenham with our successful production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

After such a difficult 18 months of Lockdown for everyone, we were finally able to return with our first traditional pantomime, Dick Whittington, at the Playhouse in February 2022.

 

Some of the original cast from that 1984 production are still members of the society today, and John Pannett is the society's chairman

 

The community of Promenade Productions is very special, welcoming new members and continuing to entertain the people of Cheltenham and the surrounding areas.