The Montgomery Theatre & Arts Centre, a small theatre venue located on Surrey Street, has announced its planned takeover by the Sheffield Theatres group in the new year.
The group, which currently manages the Crucible, Lyceum Theatre and Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse, will take over operations on January 2nd 2025, less than three months after the venue reopened following capital redevelopment works.
In a statement released by Sheffield Theatres announcing the change, they praised the work and history of the Montgomery venue, as well as indicating that the current work of the Montgomery will continue unimpaired.
“The Montgomery Theatre & Arts Centre is an important part of Sheffield’s cultural provision […] it has been a home for children and young people to explore creativity and the performing arts, as well as the performance home for many of the city’s community companies, schools and dance schools”.
“While looking at ways to safeguard the long-term future of the theatre, the Montgomery Board and management approached Sheffield Theatres to explore possibilities for its next chapter […] ensuring the continuation of the activity, strategic direction and ethos of the Montgomery”.
As well as this, Sheffield Theatres also shared some details about the transition regarding the staff of The Montgomery, many of whom are employed on a casual, zero-hours basis.
“Sheffield Theatres is consulting with the Montgomery staff team, with the aim of transferring and integrating all contracted employees to Sheffield Theatres”.
The Montgomery currently employs a group of casual staff, usually fulfilling a variety of roles, both management, technical and Front-of-House staff, including a small contingent of University of Sheffield students.
Forge Press understands that this process is currently in its preliminary stages.
Sheffield Theatres’ Chief Executive Tom Bird has welcomed the Montgomery to the Sheffield Theatres group, praising its “much-loved part of the local cultural landscape”.
“As part of our organisation, it will continue supporting the children and young people of South Yorkshire to unleash their creative potential.”
Similarly, the Montgomery’s Interim Executive Director Linda Bloomfield has said: “We’re excited and relieved to have finally opened our doors to the public again after a challenging 16 months’ closure for redevelopment.”
“The charity’s new future, as part of Sheffield Theatres, will ensure the Montgomery can continue to be a home for children, young people and communities for many more years to come.”
“We’re grateful to our funders, partners, audiences and participants for coming on this journey with us, and we can’t wait to welcome you back into the incredible 138 year old building in the new year, which is now accessible for the first time in its history.”
Originally built in 1886, the Montgomery was initially a meeting hall for the Sheffield Sunday Schools Union.
Having survived both the Blitz and a significant fire in 1971, it now hosts a variety of local and touring productions, as well as serving as a rehearsal and meeting space for many of the city’s local groups, including SBC Theatre, Carney Academy and many more.
The theatre closed in July 2023 for capital redevelopment works that would see the venue closed until October 2024, during which time the group focused heavily on their ‘Monty on the Move’ programme, bringing theatre to a variety of unique venues across the city, including in public parks.
The redevelopment saw the venue gain accessible capacity to the previously unfriendly space, with step-free access now available into the stalls section of the auditorium.
The recent announcement of the takeover of The Montgomery by Sheffield Theatres is a surprising development in the theatre’s story, but one which appears set to usher in a new chapter for the previously-independent theatre.
With less than one month until the scheduled takeover, we will not have to wait long to see the theatre become the fourth venue in the Sheffield Theatres group, and whether the takeover ushers in any significant changes for the small venue, its staff or the local community.
Sheffield Theatres will officially take over the Montgomery Theatre & Arts Centre on January 2nd 2025
