The Cheltenham Playhouse has hit its ambitious fundraising target for 2025, helping it 'move from survive to thrive'.
The iconic community theatre, which used to be swimming baths, launched its ambitious campaign to raise £80,000 in its 80th year at the start of 2025, including a JustGiving campaign and community events like the Cheltenham Fringe Festival 2025.
In May 2025, the Playhouse launched a big fundraising push to raise £50,000 before the end of the month to prevent imminent closure, with building owner Cheltenham Borough Council stepping up with a £25,000 funding boost in June 2025 to alleviate the immediate financial pressures and keep the theatre open.
Having met its £50,000 fundraising target it June, it then increased its goal to £100,000 by the end of the year – a figure which it has now achieved, thanks to support from the local community, charitable trusts, the aforementioned council funding and a 'significant donation' from The Playhouse Company.
In an Instagram post announcing the news, The Cheltenham Playhouse said that it was 'the start of a brighter future' for the much-loved venue, but that fundraising would continue to play an important role.
After appointing a new theatre manager in October 2025, it is now gearing up for panto season, with Dick Whittington hitting the stage on Friday 12 December 2025.
Tickets for Dick Whittington cost from £26 for adults, from £24 for under 18s and from £96 for families of four and are on sale now via The Cheltenham Playhouse website.
For more information about the panto, see Dick Whittington pantomime at The Cheltenham Playhouse.
