Amanda Roocroft Theatre

Welcome to the Amanda Roocroft Theatre

The Amanda Roocroft Theatre is a 128-seat venue that hosts various dance, drama, and musical theatre productions each year. These performances feature a cast of students and are produced by staff members who have experience working in professional venues and productions.

Amanda Roocroft has gained international recognition as one of Britain’s most exciting singers, excelling in opera, concert performances, and recitals.

Originally from Chorley, Amanda attended Runshaw College from 1982 to 1984 and later graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music.

In concert, Amanda has collaborated with leading orchestras across Europe and North America and has performed at many prestigious opera houses and festivals. Notable venues include the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, the Glyndebourne Festival, the English National Opera, the Welsh National Opera, the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich, the Netherlands Opera, and the Salzburg Festival.

The theatre is named in her honor, both to recognize her outstanding achievements and to inspire our students to pursue their dreams.

How to book

Show tickets cost £10.00 (£7.00 concessions). To book your tickets please call 01772 643038 or email boxoffice@runshaw.ac.uk or you can book below via TicketSource (booking fees apply).

2024/25 Shows

READY FOR IT!

Thurs 21st – Fri 22nd Nov 2024

Involving Vocational & A Level dancers & featuring our award-winning Dance Academy, this promises to be a very enjoyable first show of the year! Suitable for all the family & featuring many styles including Contemporary, Lyrical, Jazz & more!

ALADDIN

Tues 10th – Thurs 12th Dec 2024

Abanazar, an evil magician, has discovered the secret to becoming Master of the Universe. All he needs is an enchanted oil lamp hidden away for many years in a lost cave of treasures but only the ‘chosen one’ is allowed to set foot inside. Meanwhile in the distant land of Shangri-La, young Aladdin lives with his brother Wishee Washee and his man-hungry mother, Widow Twankey. Aladdin dreams of marrying the beautiful Princess Jasmine but a penniless laundry boy could never hope to have the love of a royal but…could he be the chosen one?

SHOWDOWN

Wed 26th – Fri 28th Feb 2025

Featuring songs from the world’s most famous musicals, with dances items and much much more. Showdown is an audience favourite that sells out every year.

JANE EYRE

Wed 12th – Fri 14th Mar 2025

A bold and theatrically inventive adaptation of the literary classic that puts the interior life of the novel on stage. As a child, the orphaned Jane Eyre is taught by a succession of severe guardians to stifle her natural exuberance. A part of herself is locked away, out of view of polite society… until she arrives at Rochester’s house as a governess to his young child. Soon Rochester’s passionate nature reawakens Jane’s hidden self, but darker secrets are stirring in the attic…Polly Teale’s adaptation of Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre was first performed by Shared Experience Theatre Company in 1997.

IN THEIR SHOES

Wed 2nd – Fri 4th April 2025

Before you judge a person, you should walk a mile in their shoes” An episodic dance show exploring a range of political and social themes from ‘The Shoes on the Danube Bank’ to pop culture through the ages. This dance show will take you on a journey with an eclectic range of styles from contemporary to jazz and street to ballroom.

THE WIZ

Wed 14th – Fri 16th May 2025

A beloved Broadway gem, The Wiz infuses L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz with a dazzling mix of rock, gospel and soul music. This timeless tale of Dorothy’s adventures through the Land of Oz is a fun, family-friendly, modern musical.

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME

Wed 4th – Fri 6th June 2025

Adapted by Simon Stephens from the novel by Mark Haddon, it tells the story of Christopher Boone, a fifteen-year-old boy with a unique perspective on the world, who discovers the dead body of his neighbour’s dog, Wellington, and decides to investigate the murder, leading him to uncover a family secret about his mother’s supposed death and ultimately embarking on a journey to find her in London, all while navigating the challenges of his condition and the complexities of human relationships.

CABARET FINALE

Wed 18th – Fri 20th June 2025

Come and take your seats, enjoy a drink and celebrate the end of the year in truly relaxed style with dance & musical performances.

Previous Performances

DANCE THE NIGHT

Wed 18th – Fri 20th Oct 2023

Involving Vocational & A Level dancers and featuring our award-winning Dance Academy, this promises to be a very enjoyable first show of the year! Suitable for all the family & featuring many styles including Contemporary, Lyrical, Jazz & more!

THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES

Wed 29th Nov – Fri 1st Dec 2023

When Sir Charles is found dead on his estate, with a look of terror still etched on his face, and the paw prints of a gigantic hound beside his body, the great detective Sherlock Holmes is summoned from Baker Street, with Dr Watson in tow, to unravel the mysteries surrounding his death, and investigate the ancient curse of the Hound of the Baskervilles. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most celebrated Sherlock Holmes story gets a gloriously funny makeover in this ‘wonderfully barking spoof’. With a host of ludicrous song and dance numbers and gags aplenty, this large cast production will have you choking back tears and stifling guffaws at the irreverent treatment of the classic detective and this chilling tale.

GOLDILOCKS & THE THREE BEARS

Tue 12th – Fri 15th Dec 2023

The most magical story is about to be told, of three bears and a girl with hair like spun gold. A cautionary tale of candour and courage, with romance and laughter and plenty of porridge! The perfect pantomime, suitable for all the family.

SMOOTH JAZZ & BIG BAND NIGHT

Tue 16th Jan 2024

Runshaw Jazz Academy presents its annual showcase of Jazz & Popular music. Featuring a diverse selection of improvised music, performed by a wide range of Runshaw Music students.

LORD OF THE FLIES

Wed 31st Jan – Fri 2nd Feb 2024

In the aftermath of a plane crash, a motley group of children are stranded on a desert island and must suddenly learn how to fend for themselves. Without adults to enforce the rules, it is up to them alone to decide who that leaves in charge, and what kind of society they would like to live in. Attempts to maintain order and civility quickly fall away as the children battle to establish their place in the new hierarchy. Who will rise and fall in this game of survival? A brutal game, that ultimately some will lose. The children fear they are not alone on the island and become terrified of the ’beast’ that stalks the forest at night. However, what they should be most afraid of is the darkness within themselves, and the lengths they are prepared to go to for power…

BRAINSTORM

Wed 28th Feb – Fri 1st March 2024

“You say to me… Your brain is broken. It’s like an adult’s brain that doesn’t work properly”. Brainstorm is a unique theatrical investigation into how teenagers’ brains work, and why they’re designed by evolution to be the way they are. Created along with cognitive neuroscientists and drawing upon the life experiences of the cast, this play is a thrilling exploration of the most frustrating, chaotic and exhilarating changes that will ever happen to us.

SHOWDOWN

Tue 12th – Thu 14th Mar 2024

Featuring songs from the world’s most famous musicals, with dances items and much much more. Showdown is an audience favourite that sells out every year!

PEAKY BLINDERS

Thu 2nd & Fri 3rd May 2024

Crime pays well. Business pays better. As the 1920s begin to roar, business is booming for the Peaky Blinders gang. Crime boss Thomas Shelby starts to expand his criminal operations to London, and his rise brings him and his family into contact with new worlds of hedonism and excess. A dance show that will take you on a journey with an eclectic range of styles from contemporary to jazz and street to ballroom.

CHICAGO

Wed 15th & Fri 17th May 2024

Chicago is the longest-running American musical in Broadway and West End history – and now it’s coming to the Amanda Roocroft Theatre! Chicago is a dazzling and satirical look at fame, justice, and the media machine. Set in 1920s Chicago and based on real-life murders and trials, Chicago follows Roxie Hart, a wannabe vaudevillian star who murders her lover and is arrested. Packed with songs you’ll recognise, the show is a spectacular musical not to be missed!

COBWEBS

Wed 5th & Fri 7th June 2024

Ari’s life has always been a bit chaotic. She’s never been much good at planning things in advance and even when she tries, it never seems to work out the way she wants it to. It’s just a lot, isn’t it? Life? But after the end of a problematic relationship, she decides to do a bit of metaphorical spring cleaning. The problem is, when you dust away the cobwebs, you never know what you might find. The Year 2 Actors’ final show is a roller coaster of comedy, tragedy and chaos, all set to a rocking soundtrack of classic 80s tunes.

CARBARET FINALE

Wed 19th & Fri 21st June 2024

Come and take your seats, enjoy a drink and celebrate the end of the year in truly relaxed style with dance & musical performances.

Beauty and the Beast Dress Rehearsals [November 2022]

Performances: Monday 5th – Thursday 8th December 2022

“My son Jamie loved the performance….. and all the treats, thank you”! – Jennifer O’Connell

“Great time! Please pass my thanks on – it’s such a nice and exciting experience for the kids” – Julie Perera

“It was absolutely brilliant. Eva loved it, she said the Runshaw Panto is one of her favourite Christmas traditions now! Thanks to the team for the effort that goes into it.” – Karla Erskine

“Myself and Henry had an amazing time! It’s the first time I’ve attended and we were both blown away by the amazing actors – so talented. The snacks before and during the interval were excellent. Thank you for Henry’s gifts – he was amazed. Thanks again for arranging a fantastic festive evening.” – Jemma Holmes

“Once again, my kids had a fabulous time at the panto and were over the moon with the extra treats they were given. Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to watch the very talented students who were all amazing from start to finish.” – Lorna McCormick

Don’t Stop Moving Dress Rehearsals [November 2022]

Performances: Tuesday 15th – Thursday 17th November 2022

Legally Blonde Dress Rehearsals [May 2022]

Performances: Wednesday 25th – Friday 27th May 2022

Cinderella Dress Rehearsals [November 2021]

Performances: Monday 28th – Wednesday 30th November 2021