Watford Palace Theatre is a registered charity with a strong commitment to the local community, and as such we love to celebrate the culture, creativity, and history of Watford’s rich and diverse communities by showcasing them on our stage and theatre spaces.
We proudly work alongside a variety of partner organisations across the arts, voluntary, health and wellbeing, and youth sector, to deliver creative projects and programmes with our local community. Watford Palace Theatre is incredibly grateful for the generous funding received from the Garfield Weston Foundation to develop our youth and community programme, in association with the following organisations: Cathartic Arts, Watford African Caribbean Association, and One YMCA.
We’re keen to continue developing connections with our local community. There are many opportunities throughout the year for organisations, individuals, and groups to get involved with us, so if you’d like to learn more, volunteer, or have an idea for an event, please get in touch!
Contact Community Engagement at Watford Palace Theatre
We are proud to work with the local community to create and produce shows on our stage and in our various theatre spaces as performers, promoters, designers, or technicians.
Take a look at some of our previous community productions below!
The 'Oss and the Ox (2014)
Directed by choreographer Kate Flatt and music director Adriano Adewale, The ‘Oss and The Ox was a lively, processional street performance project bringing together the Ox (the Bumba meu Boi) from Brazil and the ‘Oss (the Hobby Horse) from England. Participants from Field Junior School and Westfield Academy took part in creative dance and music workshops, culminating in a final outdoor performance with professional dancers and musicians, as part of the Imagine Watford festival in 2014.
Take a look at The ‘Oss and the Ox project here.
The Ballroom of Joys and Sorrows (2012)
Hello, Mister Capello (2010)
A community musical play by Nick Stimson, starring the people of Watford, created by the Palace Theatre and Watford FC.
Starring the people of Watford, directed by James Williams, Associate Director, the show premiered on Friday 3rd September 2010.
Milestones (2008)
A large-scale community play that was two years in the making. Involving over 100 participants taking part in dance, writing, drama, and music workshops to help create a play about their lives an experience.
The play, produced in 2008 to help celebrate Watford Palace Theatre’s centenary involved a cast of over 70 celebrating their stories and their community.
Watch this space for details of our next community production!
Our spacious town centre building is a haven for local community groups to meet, share, network and present their work. We’re delighted to be the home of several wonderful organisations.
Chinese Elders' Lunch Club and Language Class
Run by the Watford Chinese Association, this lively bunch meet on Tuesdays in our Green Room Bar.
Knit and Chat
Knit one, purl two and natter – if you fancy meeting like-minded individuals for cosy creations and chat, come along to our Green Room Bar on the third Wednesday of each month!
Reading Matters
“It is what you read when you don’t have to that determines what you will be when you can’t help it.” ― Oscar Wilde
If you’re an avid reader who enjoys lively discussion and opinion sharing on literature, then the Reading Matters group could be for you! All are welcome to join in our Hospitality Room every other Thursday between 10am – 12noon.
Satsang Singing Group
The wonderful Satsang Singing Ladies are an Elders Hindu devotional singing group that meet every Thursday in our Hospitality Room.
To find out more about any of the groups listed above, or if you’d like a home for your club or society at Watford Palace Theatre, please contact our Take Part team on 01923 235455, or via the button below.
Email Take Part
The Community Choir is a fun and friendly group led by choral conductor and musician David Halstead that takes place weekly on Wednesday evenings between 7:30-9:30pm at the theatre, or on Zoom during lockdown.
The Community Choir enjoys singing a varied repertoire including traditional choral works, show tunes and classic pop songs – everything from Fauré and Verdi to Bob Dylan and Abba! All are welcome to join – no audition is required for this group that focuses on the enjoyment of singing and learning along the way. Sheet music is provided, but it’s not essential to be able to read music to participate. Community Choir members often take part in concerts and tours in Watford and beyond!
If you’d like to join the Community Choir for a good sing, a cup of tea and some homemade cake, we very much look forward to singing with you! Free taster sessions are offered to all new members; click the button below to find out more!
Learn more about Community Choir
Ever fancied gaining insight into what goes on behind the scenes of a working theatre? We offer tailor-made tours of our beautiful Edwardian auditorium and building, giving you the opportunity to learn more about the various roles and departments within the theatre that converge to create the wonderful shows you may have seen on our stage!
Learn more about theatre tours
