The Quay Theatre has been our base for some four decades. This characterful building on the banks of the River Stour provides us with a full theatre ‘home’ we perform and rehearse in and is a major benefit to SDS.
Our base
Many other dramatic groups only get access to their performing venue in the few days or so before the production run; we’re more fortunate in that we rehearse, perform and socialise in the building at all times not just on the run up to a production.
We benefit from rehearsal spaces in and adjacent to the theatre including at times use of the main stage.
We have our own, fully stocked costume department located in the building, and along with a regular flow of other entertainment events through the theatre and a bar open to the public most evenings, we’re part of a lively, creative environment.
As you’ll see in this potted history of SDS we originally bought and converted the Quay Theatre building - a former grain store amongst other things - back in the late 1970s and remain a primary contributor to the theatre’s annual revenue.
Performance facilities
We perform our productions in the theatre’s intimate 126 seat auditorium that underwent a major refurbishment in 2015 when new seating, carpeting and heating/air conditioning was installed.
The auditorium also has full backstage and technical facilities. These include up to date lighting and sound equipment such as a computerised lighting board, full multi-channel sound desk and modern lighting stock.
Rehearsal facilities
Our primary rehearsal area is known as ‘the Jetty’ - a former bowls clubhouse just over the road from the Quay itself - giving us a rehearsal space of a similar size to the Quay’s main stage.
Centrally heated with gents and ladies toilets with storage for props and other items for the current production, it’s a proper ‘home from home’ where the majority of our rehearsals take place.
We have access to another space in the Quay building, the Geoff Kisby Room (GKR), named after a former local businessman and benefactor of the Quay. This smaller room on the top floor of the building is used primarily for meetings, some auditions and occasional rehearsals.
It’s air conditioned and heated but - more importantly - is a mere short flight of stairs from the bar!
Production amenities
Our comprehensive stock of production materials such as set building materials, paint and props are primarily stored in a storage facility we hire close to the theatre building. We usually set build at the theatre in the weekend before the production opens and sometimes in advance of this when arrangements have been made to pre-build parts of a more involved set.
Box office support
The Quay provide box office support for our productions, so each one appears on the Quay’s website with tickets bookable online and in person. The Quay helps publicise our productions as part of their main promotional and marketing activities both online and off in conjunction with SDS’s own publicity officer.
Our contribution to the Quay
We generate significant income for the Quay from our six productions a year including our successful pantomime
In recent times we’ve funded larger scale projects such as refurbishing the gents and ladies toilets in the Jetty and installing electrically operated stage curtains.
The Quay is a great place to perform, rehearse and socialise in - why not come and see for yourself? Take a look elsewhere on the website to see what we’re up to at the moment and see how you can get involved.
Like to know more? If so get in touch.
