Theatre in Doncaster

Opened in 2013, Cast in Waterdale is Doncaster’s flagship culture and events hub. A theatre that can hold over 1,000 people across its two auditoriums, it hosts shows from Northern Ballet, in-house productions, children’s shows, comedy acts, film screenings and traditional pantomimes.

Spread over two levels, the Proscenium Theatre can seat 620 guests in the stalls and dress circle, with excellent views and acoustics throughout. There’s also a second, smaller theatre – the cunningly named Second Space – which hosts more niche events and plays and can accommodate up to 190 people.

No theatre would be complete without a well-stocked bar and the Circle Bar on the second floor provides pre- and post-show drinks, where you can also order ahead for any interval drinks to beat the queues.

With weekly and sometimes nightly events, and a programme booked up to a year in advance, there’s always something going on at Cast, be it family-friendly entertainment, stand-up comedy, big-name musicals or thought-provoking plays.

Cast is just the first phase in developing a cultural and theatre quarter in Doncaster, with £300 million earmarked for further buildings and creative spaces.

Now into its fifth year, Doncaster’s annual street festival, the DN Festival, is held every September across the town centre, showcasing street arts, performers, theatre, circus acts, painting, live music, pop-up festival food and drink stalls and more. The festival takes place in the Sir Nigel Gresley Square and includes art and performances from local theatres and production groups, as well as actors, comedians and acts from across the country.

The family-friendly weekend is free to enter and usually runs alongside the famous St. Leger Stakes horse race. There are also plenty of workshops and drop-in sessions during the festival, meaning you could even become part of the action!

A community-run theatre, the Little Theatre has a capacity of 99 and puts on 12 productions each year, spanning plays, cabaret and their very popular panto.

The theatre opened in 1995 and alongside its own productions, regularly hosts touring companies, bands, film screenings, talks and even the BBC show Blue Peter. Located on King Street, the theatre boasts modern sound and lighting equipment and also the Theatre Bar, serving a wide range of alcoholic, non-alcoholic and hot drinks.