Everyman Theatre Association (ETA)
Patron: Pam Ayres
The Everyman Theatre Association (Friends of the Everyman Theatre) is an enthusiastic group of supporters of theatre and of the Everyman in particular. The members’ shared love of the theatre provides a core audience for the Everyman and a cornerstone of support both on and off the stage. The ETA is a Registered Charity No. 240273.
There has never been a better time to join the ETA. Membership benefits include ticket discounts and priority booking as well as free access to our highly popular Meet the Cast parties. These opportunities to meet the stars have seen Hugh Dennis, Lesley Garrett, David Haigh, Samantha Womack, Juliet and Hayley Mills, Greta Scacchi, Tom Conti, Nigel Havers, Penelope Keith, Felicity Kendal, Simon Callow, Susie Blake, Shane Richie and Jessie Wallace in our midst, all happy to chat in an informal atmosphere.
The ETA Committee organise a range of social events including the occasional opportunity to sit and enjoy a meal on the theatre stage in the wonderful auditorium. The Committee always welcomes suggestions for future activities from members.
If you share a love of the theatre and are not already a member, we hope you are persuaded to join us!
Everyman Theatre
The Everyman Theatre, sited in Regent Street, Cheltenham, is a vibrant theatre offering the county of Gloucestershire a variety of theatrical entertainment from drama, comedy, opera, musicals and dance to the always popular traditional panto. In addition to the main auditorium, the Irving Studio offers a space for innovative theatre. The Everyman also offers a community and education programme and is home to a youth theatre, a number of choirs and theatre dance classes.
Following a recent major restoration, the stunning Victorian auditorium has been returned to its original splendour and the front-of-house, café and bars have a contemporary feel.
Originally the New Theatre and Opera House, the Everyman was designed by Frank Matcham and is the oldest auditorium of his still in theatrical use. His theatres are valued for their practicality, with good views provided to the audience, whilst being richly decorated with carvings, plasterwork and paintings. The theatre was opened in 1891 by the most famous actress of the era, Lily Langtry.
Over the years the Everyman has continued to attract the stars of the day, welcoming Sir Ian McKellen, Sir John Gielgud, Sir Laurence Olivier, Stephen Berkoff, William Gaunt, Vanessa Redgrave, Alison Steadman, Timothy West, Sir Peter Hall and those mentioned above at ETA Meet the Cast parties. Laughter has been provided by Michael McIntyre, Al Murray, Russell Kane, David Baddiel, Griff Rhys Jones, Punt and Dennis, and Chris Ramsey.
The Everyman regularly hosts touring productions from for example the National Theatre, Chichester Festival Theatre and Theatre Royal, Bath. Excellent in-house shows have recently hit the programme such as Quartet, Mrs Warren’s Profession, Cider with Rosie, Will Harvey’s War and The Glass Menagerie. Renowned companies including Northern Broadsides, Kneehigh, English Touring Opera and the Russian State Ballet are found in the theatre calendar as well as local, emerging and community groups.