My wife and I LOVE the Theatre and a few months ago this theatre popped up on my Facebook timeline and we are very happy we found it.
The first Operatic and Dramatic Society started performing in the Somerset West Courthouse over 120 years ago. The Society as we know it was reconstructed after World War II in 1947 by Mrs. Cornish-Bowden, and the HH Dramatic Society was formed.
At that time, productions were hosted at the Old Masonic Hall and, later, the Somerset West Town Hall.
In the early 1970’s, thanks to the efforts of Harold Wilson, Donald Munro and Claude Clegg, a loan was secured from the Municipality, and the HHDS obtained the land and permission to build a permanent home for the theatre.
Designed by Harry Hargreaves and built by Johnny Theron - and with the support of, and donations from the local community - The Playhouse Theatre first opened its doors on 26 May 1973. The theatre continued to evolve over the following decades, with the workshop being added, the dressing and sewing rooms enlarged, and the new foyer built