Chesterfield Theatres – The Winding Wheel and Pomegranate Theatre are located in the heart of Chesterfield and offer an all year round varied programme of arts and entertainment.
The Pomegranate is a delightful Victorian 546-seat proscenium arch theatre housed in the Grade II listed [George] Stephenson Memorial Hall. Established in 1949 this is the country’s oldest civic theatre and hosts professional touring theatre and high quality local amateur productions. The Theatre is also accessible for holding meetings.
The Winding Wheel opened in 1923 as the Picture House and in the 30s it was bought by the Odeon Cinema chain. Along with a cinema, the building housed a ballroom and restaurant. It closed in 1981 reopening as the Winding Wheel in the late 80s as a conference and entertainment venue. It was then given Grade II listed building status, making it only one of 155 listed in cinemas in the country. Today, it is a venue for concerts, lectures, dances and conferences and weddings, and has three rooms available for hire for private functions.
Highlights at the Pomegranate Theatre include a Spring Play Season, the celebrated Agatha Christie Theatre Compnay with a thrilling new production ‘Go Back ForMurder’, and Bill Kenwright with his award wining play ‘The Pitmen Painters’. The Winding Wheel highlights include ‘Suggs’ the lead singer of Madness, comedy favourite Jason Manford, The Sldiers and Puccini’s Madam Butterfly.
