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THE CHATSWORTH CENTRE in 1986
Chairman: Graham Grammer - Sawley
Secretary: John Barker - Long Eaton
In January 1985 the Duchess Theatre within the Chatsworth Arts Centre opened its doors to the public for its first season with a production of 'The Heartless Princess', performed by a company of 8 - 14 year olds. Seven months and 43 events on, the Chatsworth Amateur Repertory Theatre closed the season with a revue of English songs and sketches, 'A La C.A.R.T.'
The former Methodist Chapel in the centre of Long Eaton has undergone a complete metamorphosis with funding raised by the Long Eaton & District Arts Council, a local body of theatre and arts supporters, whose eight year dream of owning a theatre was realised on a cold winter night when the first full house provided a warm welcome to the opening production.
With new staging facilities and technical back-up comparable to many small repertory and even West End venues, the style and size of production is now only limited by the imagination.
The Chatsworth Music Theatre Group provided a major musical extravaganza with 'Chicago' and two productions by the centre's own amateur rep, added to a great variety of home-grown productions in a season which included professional performances by a Russian concert pianist, Derby Playhouse, an electric folk band and a workshop with performance by a local mime artist.
Well established local groups 'The Arcade Players' and 'Long Eaton Operatic Society' will be performing in the Duchess Theatre in the coming season, and the Derby born international star, Alan Bates,has promised to visit the centre soon.
Visitors to the centre will often be welcomed to art exhibitions, handicraft workshops, seminars, illustrated talks and matinee teas as well as Friday and Saturday coffee mornings when friends old and new drop into the centre where a warm and friendly welcome awaits everyone.