A warm sunny Sunday afternoon, the place – Westway, Nailsea, and two young men are talking over their garden walls and taking a rest from cutting the grass. Only a year before, they had moved to the village – one from London and the other from Newcastle. This conversation wasn’t much different from many the two had enjoyed over the past 12 months until one magic word was mentioned – THEATRE. This became common ground for both of them and the basis for much eager discussion in the months ahead.

The two – Bob Cooke and Graham Tyson – were soon discussing the possibility of starting a Theatre Club in Nailsea with the aim of presenting a season of 3 productions starting in October 1963. With their wives Sue and Joan, and a few neighbours and friends who were roped in to help, a meeting was held and the Venturers Theatre Club was born.

The first production was SAILOR BEWARE – a comedy ideally suited to the group in many respects, not least being the cast which numbered 9 – just about the total membership at the time.

Following the opening production rehearsals began immediately on THE RELUCTANT DEBUTANTE and before the 1st season ended with TWO DOZEN RED ROSES the membership was increased with the arrival of Keith & Ruth Pring and Wendy Newton.

The following years saw four changes of venue, starting at the Church House in Silver Street, finally arriving at the Scotch Horn Centre in 1982.  In 1970, as the town began to grow, the name was changed, dropping Venturers to bring NAILSEA into our title.  Perhaps the single most important milestone in our history was the purchase in 1967 of the old Ebenezer Chapel in Union Street for use as a workshop for rehearsals and set building. In 1990 we produced our first play in our own premises, TABLE MANNERS, and followed that up with an evening of 3 plays in 1992. 

 

In the mid 1990's we secured National Lottery money to extend our premises, adding a new Green Room to the front and a rehearsal room and scenery store.to the rear.  The Scotch Horn Centre was closed in 1998 for 18 months to build around the outside. It had been our main home for many years and we had to find a new venue.  We decided to make use of our own workshop with its new extension completed, and presented a revival of the Club’s first ever play SAILOR BEWARE to our associate membership as the last play of our 35th season. This was met by such enthusiasm by our members we decided to remain at our “Little Theatre”, although we returned to the Scotch Horn for our Millennium pantomime in January 2000.

 

The Coronavirus pandemic meant that the Theatre was forced to close for about 18 months from March 2020. Fortunately we were able to claim Government Grants to cover our fixed costs while no money was coming in from Shows.  The air quality in the auditorium had always been poor for audiences, so these Grants were also used to improve safety by installing much needed air conditioning and significantly improved ventilation, taking the opportunity to have the work done while the Theatre was closed.  The Little Theatre was slowly re-opened when we could start rehearsing safely again, and our first show after the pandemic was in November 2021. One-acts were purposely chosen to minimise rehearsal time, selecting 3 from CONFUSIONS. Audiences were able to enjoy the comfort of fresher warm air, the new chairs in the auditorium that had been ordered in 2019, plus they now had the option to pay by card at the bar rather than in cash. The Show was a great success.

 

In May 2023 we introduced the option to book tickets online.  2023 was also the 60th anniversary of the Theatre Club, culminating on 16th July in a delicious 60th Anniversary Lunch at the Nailsea Masonic Hall for 54 people.  Anniversary celebrations had kicked off with the first play of the season in October 2022 when Graham Tyson directed BLITHE SPIRIT.  Graham was one of our founder members and the Director of the first ever Show, also in October.

We continue to present plays to our Associates and the public at Nailsea Little Theatre. If you're interested, please contact us and see live theatre in intimate surroundings.