Rother Street Arts House and The Attic Theatre: our history, our vision, our future
John-Robert Partridge
John-Robert trained at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and established the Tread the Boards theatre company in 2008. He is an actor, director, writer and producer. John-Robert has performed at The Globe in London and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre alongside being the in-house artistic director of The Attic Theatre and now The Rother Street Arts House.
John-Robert has directed over 60 productions from Shakespeare to pantomime and is in the process of launching various community events across Stratford-upon-Avon.
Report on the talk
On 15 June 2026, the Stratford Society welcomed a lively and inspiring presentation on the story behind The Attic Theatre and the new Rother Street Arts House. The talk was led by John-Robert Partridge. John and his wife Catherine are both Stratford locals and the driving force behind the Tread the Boards Theatre Company. What came across most strongly was not just the scale of their ambition, but the very personal commitment behind it: a determination to keep live performance, local creativity and community access at the centre of Stratford’s cultural life.
The story began 18 years ago at Cox’s Yard, when John and Catherine agreed to put on a show at The Loft in Cox’s Yard, and were then invited to stay. From that informal beginning grew The Attic Theatre, founded in 2009. With just 80 seats and only three rows, it became known for intimate, actor-led productions where the focus was firmly on the performance, the characters and the relationships rather than on large-scale sets or spectacle. Productions have included classic drama, new writing and pantomime, often delivered with impressive imagination and limited resources.
There were plenty of reminders that the company’s journey has not always been straightforward. The Attic has survived two major floods, the Covid shutdown and even a Christmas pantomime performed on the back of a lorry in a freezing car park, where audiences used indicators and car horns to join in. Over the years, the company has maintained continuous programming, staged more than 180 productions, and built a reputation for punching above its weight artistically.
That experience now feeds directly into the ethos of 'Rother Street Arts House'. After the tender process began in January 2025, the team moved into the building in October 2025 and officially opened the doors as a charitable organisation on 31 January 2026. The name itself is deliberately practical: it tells people exactly where to find it. But the vision is much bigger than a name. The aim is to turn the building into a home for creativity: a welcoming arts hub shaped by the community, supportive of artists, open to families and proud of local stories.
The building at 14 Rother Street has a remarkable history of its own. It has been two private residences, a needle factory, a convalescent home, a hospital, a maternity hospital and, from 1985, an events venue known as the Civic Hall. In many ways, the building has already served the community for nearly two centuries; the new Arts House aims to continue that tradition by focusing on creative wellbeing. John was clear about the values guiding the next stage: community, creativity, accessibility, local talent and sustainability. They described themselves as custodians of the building for future generations. There were also some lovely nods to local people and local memories. Doug’s Bar is named in honour of Doug Armstrong, a local promoter of the cultural scene, while Dot’s Café remembers Dot, the first baby born in the building when it was a maternity hospital.
Looking ahead, the team’s five-year plan is ambitious. They hope to expand theatre, music, dance and spoken word, grow community workshops, restore and improve the building, build stronger partnerships with local schools and create a sustainable financial model whilst supporting young artists. There was particular emphasis on involving young people, including plans for a technical youth theatre from 2027 for those interested in backstage and production roles rather than simply performing. They are also considering apprenticeships and hope to advertise for a young trustee who will be aged between 16 and 25.
The programme already shows how broad the venue’s offer is intended to be. Highlights for The Attic Theatre in 2026 include Shakers – Under New Management, The Wind in the Willows, Wuthering Heights, Sweeney Todd and the String of Pearls, and an adults-only Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime (as well as a children friendly Robin Hood!). There is also a strong focus on collaboration, including work with the SHAW2020 Theatre Company on Pygmalion and The Importance of Being Earnest, with one cast presenting both plays and additional wraparound events to go with them.
