Orchard Theatre, Dartford

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

{{Infobox venue

| name = Orchard Theatre, Dartford

| image = DartfordOrchard4885.JPG

| image_caption = Orchard Theatre, Dartford

| nickname =

| address = Home Gardens, Dartford, DA1 1ED

| location =

| coordinates = {{coord|51.4459578|0.2177834|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}

| type =

| seating_type = Reserved seating

| genre =

| broke_ground =

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| website = {{URL|https://orchardtheatre.co.uk/}}

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}}

The Orchard Theatre is a 1025-seat{{Cite web|url = https://orchardtheatre.co.uk/online/VenueHire|title = Venue Hire | Orchard Theatre, Dartford, Kent|date = 24 October 2014|access-date = 24 October 2014}} receiving theatre in the centre of Dartford, Kent. It was built by Dartford Borough Council and opened by The Duke of Kent on Thursday 14 April 1983.{{Cite news|url = http://www.gravesendreporter.co.uk/news/dartford_orchard_theatre_plans_30th_birthday_gala_1_1938770|title = Dartford Orchard Theatre plans 30th birthday gala|date = 19 February 2013|access-date = 24 October 2014}}{{cite web|title=Theatre Trust |url=http://www.theatrestrust.org.uk/resources/theatres/show/2736-the-orchard|publisher=Orchard Theatre Theatres Trust}} The theatre hosts a range of popular music, comedy, family, dance, drama, classical music and variety events, as well as an annual pantomime.{{cite web|title=Orchard Theatre What's On |url=https://orchardtheatre.co.uk/Online/whatson|access-date=24 October 2014}}

It has been run by Trafalgar Entertainment since March 2021, having been acquired from HQ Theatres{{cite news|url=https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/trafalgar-entertainment-acquires-hq-theatres|title=Trafalgar Entertainment acquires HQ Theatres|work=Arts Professional|date=31 March 2021|first=Liz|last=Hill}} which had run it since 2008.{{Cite web|url = http://www.hqtheatres.com/about|title = About HQ Theatres|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223211548/http://www.hqtheatres.com/about|archive-date=23 December 2020}}

In September 2023, the theatre was temporarily closed by Dartford Council due to safety concerns over the reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) used in the theatre's construction.{{Cite news|url = https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/23769797.orchard-theatre-dartford-suspends-shows-due-raac-panels/|title = Orchard Theatre in Dartford suspends shows due to RAAC panels|date = 5 September 2023|access-date = 7 September 2023}} Its programme of events have moved to a temporary venue called Orchard West.