What a fantastic arts centre!…read more I came here to see The vagina monologues with my sister and a friend last Saturday and it was fabulous. They have a huge selection of performances showing and it's totally worth checking out their website for more details of this. Not only that but they hold workshops and bok groups and dance classes. The bar was light and open and really quite pleasant to wait in. They have a medium selection of wines but the ones they have are good in my opinion. Right now down to the theatre, the great thing about this place is the fact that they have a huge range of prices on seats, so even if you only have a fiver in your pocket you can still see something fantastic. It's quite a small seating area but the chairs are spaced out well giving you loads of room and the stage is so large i can imagine seeing dance there is fantastic. The £5 tickets are in 'the pit' and you have to bring a cushion to sit on. Not bad for kids but I'd rather pay that little bit more and actually be comfortable. Great show though - if you haven't been you should do!

A long-anticipated addition to Kingston's cultural heritage, this new theatre finally opened, after…read morean extended wait, in January 2008. Sir Peter Hall has been involved with the project since its inception - although he is now moving-on - and directed the opening production of Chekov's Uncle Vanya. Inspired by theatres of yore, the decor is far from lavish but clean and basic (in a good way) with pale wooden floors and seating in the round, on three levels. If you're on a budget, or seeking an unusual front-row experience, try the pit (unreserved). You'll need to bring along a cushion and should aim to arrive early to get your 'seat' of choice with a magnificent view of the stage, full cast and all the action. It's a great way to be a regular theatre goer for less than the price of many a cinema seat. Uncle Vanya was magnificent; it felt completely current and incredibly easy to relate to, in terms of the vagaries of everyday life and relationships, weather extremes and (even then) the threat of global warming through forest and wildlife depletion! The cast were stunning, especially Neil Pearson, Nicholas le Prevost and Michelle Dockery (although you'll have to follow them now on their national tour as this production has just moved-on)...

Have you ever been to a theatre-in-the-round? I had not and admit that I'd not even known what…read morethat meant. Then I spent an evening at the Orange Tree Theatre and now I'm all in. What a fun way to experience a show. A theatre-in-the round is one with seating on all sides of the stage. In the case of the Orange Tree, the concept continues on the balcony level. with long bench-seating (with backs) and a padded rail to lay your elbows atop. I'd booked tickets in advance, on-line and arrived at my (2) balcony seats to find an envelope with my name hand written on it. When I opened I found a letter - also hand-written - thanking me for joining them and welcoming me. This was an unexpected delight. The show I saw was Noel Coward's "Suite in Three Keys" (excellent) and I wish I'd had more time to see the other two Coward plays they were staging (with the same cast). Seats here were comfortable and they appeared to have a devoted crowd of regulars. Those folks would know what I didn't though, so here's your warning: save your drinks until post-show. The way the seating is arranged on the balcony level there is no way to get out of your seat mid-performance to, say, use the restroom. Likewise, if you arrive late you'll not be able to get to your seats if they're in the middle of a balcony row. For these instances, they allow guests to watch the show via video screen from an alternate space. You've been warned. So save the drinks until later and arrive on time. The theatre-in-the-round experience is fun and Orange Tree Theatre offers a great overall experience.

Made a belated first visit to this theatre the other night after knowing of it for many years…read more I appreciated their understated approach from the moment you walk in, with welcoming staff and not too elaborate decor in the lobby/bar area. The seating is intimate and I also received the first-time-attendee welcome note (as another reviewer noted), which is an extra positive touch that will linger in my memory. The play offered strong commitment from the actors and an energetic staging in the round. I would definitely consider attending another show here if given the chance.

We watched Madame butterfly here and it was decent. The theatre is super old and could use and…read moreupdate only the toilets and the bar area but shows here are reasonably inexpensive and that's what makes this place great. The bar area by the stalls are pretty standard with friendly staff. The place does get a bit cold but it is a very old theatre. Depending on what's showing, I'd come back.

The New Wimbledon Theatre (formerly the Wimbledon Theatre) is one of the prime theatre houses in…read moreoutside central London. Built in 1910, it is a classic of Edwardian design, with a richly decorated baroque and Adams-style interior. It is a Grade II listed historic building. It's also one of the largest venues in London, seating 1,700 in a broad auditorium. Taken over by the Ambassador Theatre Group in 2003, it is slowly being restored to its original condition. The theatre presents a varied repertoire, focusing on popular productions, including musicals, opera, comedy, special events and music performances. In recent years, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has had a season at Wimbledon, which has proved extremely popular (the acoustics are well suited to a full-sized orchestra). A speciality is performances designed for the whole family, such as tours from the Moscow State Circus, culminating in one of London's best pantomime seasons throughout December and January. We saw a stunning pro-am performance of 'La Cage aux Folles' there a few years ago, which beat the film versions hands down. The theatre has very good provision for those with disabilities - contact the box office in advance for details. Guide dogs are welcome and the theatre provides state-of-the-art infra-red listening systems. Although parking nearby is a little limited, patrons can use the Centrecourt Shopping Centre Car Park at a reduced rate (inform the box office to validate your ticket). Public transport provision is excellent, as the theatre is adjacent to the bus station, and just five minutes from Wimbledon station, for National Rail, underground and Croydon Tramlink.