Compass Theatre

Compass Theatre
The Compass Theatre
Address	Glebe Avenue
City	London
Country	United Kingdom
Owned by	London Borough of Hillingdon
Capacity	158
Type	Provincial
Opened	1968
Rebuilt	1980's
Previous names	Compass Arts Theatre, Compass Theatre and Arts Centre
www.compasstheatre.co.uk

The Compass Theatre is a 158 seat theatre in Ickenham, in, and owned by, the London Borough of Hillingdon.

Middlesex County Council bought Ickenham Hall and its grounds in 1948 in order to convert it into a youth centre.^[1] In 1968 a theatre was built behind the hall, later named the Compass Theatre by the Theatre Director John Sherratt. The two buildings were connected by a new building in 1976.^[2]

The theatre was refurbished in 1990 and reopened by HRH Prince Edward.^[2]

The theatre predominantly receives hires by local amateur dramatic groups, as well as films, professional shows for children and other arts activities. It also hosts 360 Youth Theatre, the Hillingdon Music Service and the administration of Dance Challenge.

Regularly appearing groups include Argosy Players, Ruislip Dramatic Society, Hillingdon Musical Society, Players 2, Pastiche Musical Theatre and Purple Theatre, as well as professional companies Big Wooden Horse Theatre and Tall Stories.

Until 2009, Tall Stories, producers of The Gruffalo, were a theatre company in residence.

References

1. ^ Bowlt, Eileen. M. (1996). Ickenham & Harefield Past. London: Historical Publications. ISBN 0-948667-36-2. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Skinner, James (2005). Images of England: Ickenham. Stroud: Tempus. ISBN 0-7524-3411X. 

External links

• Official website
• Friends of Ickenham Hall

Coordinates: 51°33′44″N 0°26′26″W / 51.5621°N 0.4405°W / 51.5621; -0.4405