The Mart Theatre, Skipton – Breaking new ground between art and agriculture.
The Mart Theatre opened in October 2005 with funding from European Regional Development Fund, Yorkshire Forward, Craven District Council and from Arts Council England, Yorkshire and is aimed to provide a unique rural theatre, events and other facilities within a functioning Auction Mart. The theatre delivers a developing artistic programme designed to address local cultural and economic needs.
A new non-traditional theatre space it is the only theatre placed in a working auction mart in the UK.
The Mart Theatre offers an experimental mixed programme of professional touring productions, workshops and events. The development is designed to provide an innovative and cultural facility in a rural area that aims to bring art and agriculture together in a creative response to the reality and future of rural and agricultural life.
Autumn 2005 saw the first performance in this newly refurbished auction ring with Jeremy Hardy. He performed to a near capacity house with whoops of laughter bouncing around the walls and everyone went home amazed at how intimate the space feels for 300 seater.
Norma Waterson and Martin Carthy loved the feel of the space and thought it was fantastic for sound and are looking forward to hearing about a folk festival being developed as they thought it was a super venue and the first Family Christmas Show sold out of all but one of it’s performances.
There has been opera, Cosi Fan Tutti with singers from Opera North, the delightful Oddsocks with Great Expectations and the great Sherman Roberston with his soul drenched vocals. The Mart Theatre is a vibrant centre for comedy with comedians featuring Jeremy Hardy, Barry Cryer , Mark Steel to Rich Hall, Alan Carr, Rory Bremner and Kevin Bridges all delivering great entertainment for this rural area.
The Mart Theatre is also seen as an important part of the regeneration of the local area. Enlivening, educating and entertaining office workers, tourists, families – everyone from the loyal theatre-goer to the first time visitor The Mart Theatre should bring in audiences from the whole community. We continue to present high-quality work that is accessible, inspiring and provides genuine entertainment for all. With a wide and varied programme of events we hope now you’ve visited our website you’ll come and visit us soon.
