Churchill Theatre

{{short description|Theatre in Bromley, London, England}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{More citations needed|date=April 2016}}

{{Infobox Theatre

|name = Churchill Theatre

|image = Outside the Churchill Theatre at night.jpg

|image_size = 250px

|caption = The Churchill Theatre at Night

|address = High Street

|city = Bromley, London

|country = England

|designation =

|coordinates = {{coord|51.403611|0.014444|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}

|architect = Ken Wilson

|operator = Trafalgar Theatres [part of Trafalgar Entertainment Group]

|capacity = 781 seated

|type = Visiting performances

|opened ={{Start date and age|1977|07|19|df=yes}}

|yearsactive =

|rebuilt =

|closed =

|othernames =

|currentuse =

|publictransit = {{rint|gb|Rail}} {{rws|Bromley South}}

| website = {{url|churchilltheatre.co.uk/}}

}}

The Churchill Theatre in Bromley, southeast London, was built by the London Borough of Bromley according to designs by the borough architect's department. The Churchill is an example of a repertory theatre built in the style of European opera houses, with a large stage and sub-stage workshops. Integrated into the central library complex overlooking Church House Gardens and Library Gardens, it was built on the side of a hill, disguising the number and size of the lower levels and giving the impression of being smaller by setting the auditorium below ground level which is entered by descending staircases from the foyer.

Named after former Prime Minister Winston Churchill, the theatre was inaugurated on 19 July 1977{{cite web|title=Churchill Theatre|url=http://www.theatrestrust.org.uk/resources/theatres/show/2209-churchill|website=Theatres Trust|publisher=Theatres Trust|access-date=4 April 2016}} by the Prince of Wales, and seats 781.{{cite web|title=Venue Information|url=https://churchilltheatre.co.uk/Online/venue-information-churchill|website=Churchill Theatre|access-date=4 April 2016}}{{cite web |title=Churchill Theatre Bromley |url=https://britainforgroups.com/shows-theatres/churchill-theatre-bromley/ |website=Discover Britain for Groups |access-date=26 January 2021}} It took seven years to build at a cost of £1.63m.{{Cite web|title=Dramatic past of town's theatre|url=https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/1482374.dramatic-past-of-towns-theatre/|access-date=2021-04-01|website=News Shopper|language=en}}

Currently the theatre is operated under a contract held by Trafalgar Entertainment,{{Cite web|date=2021-03-30|title=West End theatre group purchases pandemic-hit venue|url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/news/west-end-theatre-group-purchases-pandemic-hit-venue-244763/|access-date=2021-04-01|website=Kent Online|language=en}} previous to that HQ Theatres & Hospitality and previous to that Ambassador Theatre Group.{{cite news|title=ATG loses management of Churchill Theatre to Qdos Entertainment|url=https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2015/atg-loses-management-churchill-theatre-qdos-entertainment/|access-date=4 April 2016|publisher=The Stage|date=15 June 2015}} In July 2024 Bromley Council advertised the freehold of the theatre as "land for sale".{{cite news |last1=Luckhurst |first1=Georgia |title=Bromley's Churchill Theatre put up for sale on Rightmove |url=https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/bromleys-churchill-theatre-put-up-for-sale-on-rightmove |access-date=9 July 2024 |work=The Stage |language=En}} In September 2024 the council announced that, after discussions with Trafalgar Entertainment, an offer for the freehold had been accepted.{{cite news |last1=Chambers |first1=Katie |title=Future of Bromley’s Churchill Theatre secured after successful ownership bid |url=https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/future-of-bromleys-churchill-theatre-secured-after-successful-ownership-bid-trafalgar-entertainment-rightmove-freehold-bromley-council-leader-colin-smith |work=The Stage |date=20 September 2024 |language=En}}