About the Lyceum Theatre

The present Lyceum Theatre stands on the site of a Roman Catholic Church, which had been built in the early 1850’s for the Irish Railway Immigrants; this church, with its graveyard, served the Catholic Community of Crewe until 1876, when it moved to a larger church elsewhere in Crewe. A well, which was within the grounds of the church, and which was used by the residents of the area can still be found below the stage.

When the Roman Catholic's vacated the church, it was acquired by a local farmer, Mr Thomas Cliffe who allowed a local printer, Mr Henry Taylor to convert it into a theatre, which was opened in January 1882.

However, Mr Taylor was very keen to build a “proper” theatre on the site and in 1885 formed the Crewe Lyceum Theatre Buildings Company (Ltd) with local businessmen to achieve that objective. The result was the opening on the 21st November 1887 of the New Lyceum Theatre, with tickets ranging from 6d (3p) to 3 shillings (15p). The theatre cost £5,000 and had a seating capacity of 1,250.

During the Summer of 1908 the auditorium was refitted to increase the number of boxes and as a consequence the theatre changed its name to the Opera House. On the 11th March, 1910 a fire completely destroyed the building. However, the shareholders decide to rebuild a theatre on the same spot, which resulted in the building which substantially remains today. The theatre was built by Albert Winstanley to seat 850 and was opened on Monday 4th September, 1911.

From this date until the mid-1950’s, the Lyceum had a varied and chequered history. It was acquired in the early 1930’s by Mr Terence Byron, who already owned five theatres in various parts of the country and who always referred to the Lyceum as the “Jewel in his Crown” because of the ornate plasterwork and architecture of the auditorium.

Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council bought the Lyceum Theatre in 1955, and, following the failure of several private management’s to make a success of the theatre, formed a Trust to manage the theatre in 1964. During this period the Lyceum operated as a Repertory Theatre, and whilst not blessed with large houses, many young actors and actresses who went on to become household names were seen in Crewe during this period; most notably Glenda Jackson, Richard Beckinsale, Judy Loe and Lynda Bellingham, to name but a few.

The Trust collapsed in 1982 where upon the Theatre reverted back to the Borough Council, who invited two separate management’s to run the theatre until 1991, when the second of these management’s resigned owing to a combination of factors, it was at this point in the history that the local authority decided that it must manage the Lyceum Theatre.

Under the stewardship of the Council audiences started to grow and, as a result, the auditorium was completely redecorated in 1992, with new seating installed in both the Stalls and Circle.

The continuing growth in its popularity led the Borough Council, with significant support from local businesses and funding bodies, spending £1.5 million in 1994 to completely rebuild the front of house facilities and to re-tier and re-seat the Gallery. The theatre is now under the stewardship of the new unitary authority of Cheshire East Council.

Some Interesting facts:

Crewe Lyceum has the only working Sun Burner (An old fashioned form of air conditioning) in England
The rake on the stage is 1:18 making it one of the most sloped stages in the country.
The building celebrates its 100th Anniversary in 2011
Crewe Lyceum is the only Edwardian Theatre in Cheshire East.

Crewe Lyceum on Facebook

You can now 'like' the Crewe Lyceum Theatre on Facebook and keep up to date with everything that is happening at the theatre. Please note that all links open in a new window.

Crewe Lyceum Centenary

Wanted! Your Memories of Crewe Lyceum Theatre.

Don't forget to get our limited edition Souvenir Centenary Programme featuring the Lyceum's history and anecdotes from the past and present Stars. £3.00 available from the Box Office while stocks last.

What's On in 2012

Below is a list of our upcoming shows, you can also view a complete list of shows on our events system.

February 2012

The Merry Widow
Sun 12.02.12 7.30PM
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Jimmy Cricket
Tues 14.02.12 7.30pm
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Tracy TJ Higgs
Sun 19.02.12 7.30pm
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That'll Be The Day
Thurs 23.02.12 7.30PM
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That'll Be the Day
Fri 24.02.12 7.30PM
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Voice of the Heart
Sat 25.02.12 7.30PM
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Tenors Unlimited
Sun 26.02.12 7.30PM
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March 2012

Michael Jackson Tribute
Fri 02.03.12 7.30PM
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Haunted (14+)
Tues 06.03.12 7.30PM
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Haunted (14+)
Wed 07.03.12 7.30PM
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Haunted (14+)
Thurs 08.03.12 7.30PM
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Haunted (14+)
Fri 09.03.12 7.30PM
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Haunted (14+)
Sat 10.03.12 2.30PM
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Haunted (14+)
Sat 10.03.12 7.30PM
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The Moscow State Circus presents Babushkin Sekret
Tues 13.03.12 8PM
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The Moscow State Circus presents Babushkin Sekret
Wed 14.03.12 5PM
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The Moscow State Circus presents Babushkin Sekret
Wed 14.03.12 8PM
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The Guns 'n' Roses Experience
Fri 16.03.12 7.30PM
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Sweet Charity - presented by C.A.M.S
Tues 20.03.12 7.30PM
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Sweet Charity - presented by C.A.M.S
Wed 21.03.12 7.30PM
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Sweet Charity - presented by C.A.M.S
Thurs 22.03.12 7.30PM
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Sweet Charity - presented by C.A.M.S
Fri 23.03.12 7.30PM
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Sweet Charity - presented by C.A.M.S
Sat 24.03.12 2.30PM
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Sweet Charity - presented by C.A.M.S
Sat 25.03.12 7.30pm
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The Bootleg Sixties
Tues 27.03.12 7.30PM
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Music for Life
Tues 29.03.12 7PM
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The Burlesque Show (16+)
Sat 31.03.12 7.30PM
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April 2012

Yvonne's School of Dance
01.04.2012 7.30pm
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The Dolly Parton Story
04.04.2012 7.30pm
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Freddie Starr's Back From
The Jungle Tour
11.04.2010 7.30pm
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Kidz Concert
14.04.2012 3pm
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The Drifters in Concert
Masquerade Tour
21.04.2012 7.30pm
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An Eligible Man
presented by Ian Dickens Productions
Tues 24.04.2012 7.30pm
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An Eligible Man
presented by Ian Dickens Productions
Wed 25.04.2012 7.30pm
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An Eligible Man
presented by Ian Dickens Productions
Thurs 26.04.2012 7.30pm
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An Eligible Man
presented by Ian Dickens Productions
Fri 27.04.2012 7.30pm
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An Eligible Man
presented by Ian Dickens Productions
28.04.2012 2.30pm (Sat Matinee)
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An Eligible Man
presented by Ian Dickens Productions
Sat 28.04.2012 7.30pm
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May 2012

The Crewe Scout Gang Show
Tues 01.05.2012 7.15pm
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The Crewe Scout Gang Show
Wed 02.05.2012 7.15pm
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The Crewe Scout Gang Show
Thur 03.05.2012 7.15pm
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The Crewe Scout Gang Show
Fri 04.05.2012 7.15pm
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The Crewe Scout Gang Show
05.05.2012 2.15pm (Sat Matinee)
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The Crewe Scout Gang Show
Sat 05.05.2012 7.15pm
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An Intimate Evening
With Joe Longthorne
Thurs 10.05.2012 7.30pm
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Forever in Blue Jeans
Sun 13.05.2012 7.30pm
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Rent
Wed 16.05.2012 7.30pm
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Rent
Thurs 17.05.2012 7.30pm
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Rent
Fri 18.05.2012 7.30pm
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Rent
Sat 19.05.2012 7.30pm
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D.N.A
Presented by Hull Truck Theatre Company
Mon 21.05.2012 7.00pm
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D.N.A
Presented by Hull Truck Theatre Company
Tues 22.05.2012 7.00pm
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D.N.A
Presented by Hull Truck Theatre Company
Wed 23.05.2012 1.30pm (Wed Matinee)
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D.N.A
Presented by Hull Truck Theatre Company
Wed 23.05.2012 7.00pm
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Curtain Up 12
Sat 26.05.2012 7.15pm
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Kiss Chase
presented by Talking Scarlet
Mon 28.05.2012 7.30pm
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Kiss Chase
presented by Talking Scarlet
Tues 29.05.2012 7.30pm
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Kiss Chase
presented by Talking Scarlet
Wed 30.05.2012 2.30pm (Wed Matinee)
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Kiss Chase
presented by Talking Scarlet
Wed 30.05.2012 7.30pm
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June 2012

They Wrote The Songs
Thurs 07.06.2012 7.30pm
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Wheels On The Bus
Sun 10.06.2012 10am
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Wheels On The Bus
Sun 10.06.2012 2.00pm
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The Cemetery Club
presented by Ian Dickens Productions
Tues 12.06.2012 7.30pm
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The Cemetery Club
presented by Ian Dickens Productions
Wed 13.06.2012 7.30pm
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The Cemetery Club
presented by Ian Dickens Productions
Thurs 14.06.2012 7.30pm
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The Cemetery Club
presented by Ian Dickens Productions
Fri 15.06.2012 7.30pm
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The Cemetery Club
presented by Ian Dickens Productions
Sat 16.06.2012 2.30pm (Sat Matinee)
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The Cemetery Club
presented by Ian Dickens Productions
Sat 16.06.2012 7.30pm
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One Night of Queen
Sun 17.06.2012 7.30pm
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Buddy Holly's Winter Dance Party
Wed 20.06.2012 7.30pm
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There Was An Old Lady
Who Swallowed A Fly
Sun 24.06.2012 2.30pm
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Carnival Queens
The Lady Boys Of Bangkok
Tues 26.06.2012 7.30pm
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Cheshire East Youth
Theatre Performance
Sat 30.06.2012 6.00pm
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July 2012

Cheshire East Youth
Theatre Presents Billy Liar
Sun 01.07.2012 6.00pm
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Street Dance Academy
Fri 06.07.2012 6.00pm
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Street Dance Academy
Sat 07.07.2012 1.00pm
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Street Dance Academy
Sat 07.07.2012 7.00pm
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Our House
Wed 18.07.2012 7.15pm
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Our House
Thur 19.07.2012 7.15pm
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Our House
Fri 20.07.2012 7.15pm
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Our House
21.07.2012 2.15pm (Sat Matinee)
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Our House
Sat 21.07.2012 7.15pm
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