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Fun and culture is on your doorstep at the Kenton Theatre, Henley-on-Thames

A theatre for all seasons...

In Henley-on-Thames, we are lucky enough to have one of the UK's oldest theatres right on our doorstep. Henley's Kenton Theatre is the fourth-oldest working theatre in the country with a varied programme to suit all tastes and ages.

Local amateur societies regularly stage shows at this town centre venue - providing the ideal opportunity for budding thespians from the Henley-on-Thames area to develop their skills. Film star Kate Winslet and local boy Harry Stott (currently starring as Oliver!) are just two big names who trod the boards here from an early age.

Many famous names are regular visitors to the Kenton, Henley-on-Thames' much treasured theatre. In June former Likely Lad Rodney Bewes presents Three Men in A Boat, his adaptation of Jerome K Jerome's well-loved comic novel. It's a hilarious one-man show, in which he not only stars but also directs and produces. Joe Brown and Dennis Norden are also regular visitors to the Kenton Theatre.

Such is the affection for the Kenton Theatre that there is a campaign to raise £350,000 to buy the freehold to guarantee the future of this lovely establishment for subsequent generations. Pam Ayres is a keen supporter. She staged several sell-out shows in support of Kenton for Keeps, a campaign which has already raised £100,000. In a BBC TV broadcast following the shows she described The Kenton as "A darling little theatre".

Run entirely by volunteers, the theatre aims to provide enjoyment and opportunity for all, whether as a patron, treading the boards, working front of house or backstage in lighting, sound and stage management.

Every May the Kenton Theatre plays host to the Henley International Film Festival, an international documentary film festival held to celebrate and showcase the best in international feature and short documentary filmmaking.

Other productions scheduled for 2010 include:

• Dance Fever featuring ballet, modern dance and tap presented by Alison-Jayne School of Dance (May)
• Jazz from Mark Lockheart
• A Midnight Matinee called C'mon Everybody from Rotary Henley
• Junior Star for A Night, held by Stageworks Performing Arts School, one of the leading Performing Arts Schools for children aged 4-16 (June)
• Guys and Dolls by Woodley Light Operatic Society
• Into My Own by Hijinx, Theatre Company
• FRINGE Fast - a preview to the Edinburgh Fringe with drama, comedy, stand-up, musicals and writing (July)
• A musical theatre adaptation of the children's classic Wind in the Willows

To find fully up-to-date details of upcoming plays and events, visit The Kenton Theatre's website by clicking on the link at the top of this page - or give the Box Office a call on: 01491 575698

The theatre's 234-seat auditorium is professionally equipped and provides facilities suitable for live performances, films, lectures and conferences.It's also available for hire at a reasonable cost as well as the adjacent Green Room, owned by Henley Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society.

A coffee bar and licensed bar are open for performances at the Kenton Theatre.

Or why not treat yourself to a meal before or after one of the Kenton Theatre's performances? The Theatre has teamed up with two highly rated and respectable restaurants in the Henley area, Luscombes (www.luscombes.co.uk) and Le Parisien (/www.brillant.co.uk/pre-dinner.html) to offer some superb dinner packages.

Kenton Theatre
New Street
Henley-on-Thames
Oxfordshire

RG9 2BP

(Free evening parking is available in Kings Road car park, just a five minute walk from the theatre.
For Sat. Nav. users: use postcode RG9 2DG to locate Kings Road car park.)

If you visit the Kenton Theatre, we would love to hear from you. We would be delighted if you would write a testimonial about the Kenton Theatre, Henley-on-Thames by following the link on this page.

And if you now use the Kenton Theatre, please can you tell us you saw this advertisement on www.thebestof.co.uk/henleyonthames Thanks!

©The Best of Henley 2010