About
Southgate Theatre
Home of Honley Players
Southgate Theatre brings people from the local community together to express their creativity.
Get in touch if you’re interested in becoming involved in performing arts in Honley.
The Theatre Story
More than half a century ago, Southgate Theatre bought the Sunday School building from the Methodist Church, which once stood on what is now the theatre car park.
The first ever public performance of Honley Players Amateur Dramatic Society took place in November 1966 at the Honley High Street Chapel.
The play was ‘Job for the Boy.’ and this was followed in February 1967 by a performance of ‘Smoke in the Valley.’ The chapel, which stood on the Burhouse Court site behind ‘Bleak House’, was then still in regular use as a place of worship.
The players had to set up and take apart their makeshift theatre between Monday and Saturday in order to avoid disruption to the routine of Sunday services.
This arrangement continued until 1969 when an ecumenical decision was taken to amalgamate the three Honley chapels.
This in turn led to the pulling down of the Congregational Chapel located in Southgate. The building was in poor condition and considered to be beyond repair.
The adjacent school house, however, was put up for sale. Three local men, Messrs. Whitely, Kaye and Barber decided, with great foresight, that this would make a good home for Honley Players.
They borrowed money from the recently established ‘Huddersfield Common Good Trust’ and in November 1972, just 6 years after their very first performance, Honley Players took occupation of the building which is now ‘Southgate Theatre.’
Community Theatre
& Special Events Venue
Over the years, the theatre has acted as a hub for the community.
As well as accommodating Honley Players there are also links with Holmfirth Film Festival, and a number of other local groups.
Thanks to our projector and giant screen, we are able to show popular and special interest films throughout the annual festival.
Southgate Theatre also gets involved in one-off events that bring communities together, many of which are put on free of charge.
You can also hire the theatre for your event, party, meetings or rehearsals.
As well as the main auditorium, there are smaller rooms downstairs, which are perfect for smaller gatherings, clubs or groups.
We have links with local caterers who can provide outside catering for your event.
Honley Players
There aren’t many villages with their own theatre and amateur dramatic society. In Honley we have both!
Honley Players Amateur Dramatic Society moved into Southgate Theatre and put on their first public performance, Job for the Boy, in November 1966.
We are pleased to still be presenting entertaining productions for all the family and supporting our community in Honley and the Holme Valley.
Honley Players Amateur Dramatic Society puts on regular productions each year, including our popular pantomime.
We are always looking for volunteers.
Our aim is always to be a forward looking dynamic group open to new ideas and new challenges so we always welcome newcomers; people on stage and off; back stage and front of house. Please do get in touch to be part of the ‘Southgate Theatre’, ‘Honley Players’ experience.
Join us on stage, backstage, front of house or just pop in and see what it’s all about…
FAQs
Support or Collaborate with Southgate Theatre
- New ideas for shows, film evenings or community events
- Discuss creative collaborations
- Showcase your music or visual arts
- Local businesses and organisations
- Patrons to The Arts
- One-off donations or ongoing support
- Organise or participate in fundraising
