About Us - FAQs

Q: Does the theatre rely on grants or subsidies?

A: No, Tynemouth Priory Theatre is self-financing and proud of it. We earn our keep by selling seats for our productions, hiring out the theatre to outside companies and other trading activities, like hiring out props, scenery and cloths. We also get income from our membership and the occasional donation. We are a registered charity.

Q: Can businesses advertise at the theatre?

A: Yes, please contact the secretary for details of ad-cloth/projected display and programme advertising.

Q: What productions are there at the Theatre?

A: Tynemouth Priory Theatre currently puts on four plays a year and a Christmas pantomime during a season that runs from September to June. We try to put on a balanced programme: mystery/whodunnit, domestic comedy, well-known classic drama, thought-provoking theatre, TV spin-off etc.

We have a play-reading committee and the choice of plays is carefully thought through, bearing in mind our core audience and what our members want to take part in, the availability of actors and licenses for productions, the season as a whole, staging and directors etc.

Other visiting companies occasionally put on productions throughout the year, including musicals.

Q: What ways are there to frequent Tynemouth Priory Theatre?

A: There are lots of ways:

Q: Theatres are notorious for high prices for programmes and refreshments. What about you?

A: We try to keep our prices low so that audience members can enjoy a night at our theatre at a reasonable cost.

Q: Is the theatre licensed to sell alcohol?

A: Yes, we have a limited license. During the interval of our four regular productions (adult) alcohol is on sale for consumption on the premises only (subject to availability), and there is a limited range supplied (sealed bottles of wine, premixed gin and tonic, bottled beer). No alcohol may be brought onto the premises and consumed. We reserve the right to refuse access to members of the public who flout our licensing conditions.

Q: Are other refreshments available in the Theatre?

A: Subject to availability, we sell a limited range of ice cream, soft drinks and water, usually during the interval.

Q: I've heard about meal deals. What are they?

A: Following COVID-19, we are not currently offering the meal deal option. We intend to review this in the near future.

Q: How do I get involved with the Theatre?

A: We love to see new people becoming involved with the Theatre. Most start informally: by volunteering to help front-of-house for an up-coming production, or by volunteering to help with props for a play, distributing leaflets etc. Being a regular patron gets you known and lets you see what sort of productions we put on. The next, more formal way to get more involved is to apply to join the societyby contacting our membership secretary on enquiries@tynemouthpriorytheatre.co.uk.

Q: If I am not a member, can I audition for a part in a play?

A: Yes, you can. See what plays are coming up in the season. See information for prospective actors, come to an open reading, ask for a copy of the script and then come to an audition. If you are offered a part in a play, we will expect you to join the Theatre. There may be a refundable deposit of £10 to borrow scripts in advance of auditions for non-members.

Q: What about children? Can they get involved?

A: The club is adults only for now. We welcome children in our annual pantomime and in appropriate plays/roles, but we don't run a youth theatre, nor are we able to allow under sixteens to be involved unsupervised. Parents who are members often bring their children to the theatre and they get involved where they can.