Draft:Astor Theatre, Deal

• Comment: The body of this draft is in five sections. Three are unreferenced, giving the reader no reason to believe what's written. But let's look at how the other two end: It quickly became a central cultural hub for the town of Deal, fostering creativity and community spirit. And It remains a vital part of Deal's cultural landscape, celebrated for its contributions to the town’s artistic and social life. Really? Who says so, and where do they say it?
  NB I'm not saying it's not true. I am just saying that readers should not be expected to believe it merely because somebody wrote it for Wikipedia. Instead, they're entitled to references to reliable sources, of course independent of the Astor Theatre, for such value-judgments. Hoary (talk) 09:12, 9 October 2024 (UTC)

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The Astor Theatre
Shown in Kent
Location	Stanhope Road, Deal
Coordinates	51.2249°N 1.399°E / 51.2249; 1.399
Built	1906
Architectural style(s)	Gothic Revival style
Website	theastor.co.uk

The Astor Theatre is a multi-purpose arts centre located in Deal, a seaside town on the East Kent coast, near Canterbury, Dover, and Sandwich.

Early history

The land on which the Astor Theatre stands was once owned by the Iggulden brothers, prominent local figures in the 18th and 19th centuries. The brothers, who were frequently mayors of Deal and involved in the shipping and brewing industries, established Hills Brewery on the site. In 1901, the brewery was sold to Thompson & Sons Brewery, which subsequently closed it. The land was then purchased by Steed Bayley and Arthur Wise for redevelopment.

Stanhope Hall and early usage

Stanhope Road, where the theatre is located, first appeared in Deal’s street directory in 1906, along with a terrace of houses and a General Post Office. In December of the same year, Stanhope Hall opened its doors, initially serving as a venue for community celebrations and meetings. It hosted a range of events, including concerts and shows, especially during bad weather when the Pier Theatre was unavailable. The hall also briefly operated as a roller-skating rink and, in 1921, was renamed the Winter Gardens Theatre. A refurbishment took place in 1928, further enhancing the venue’s facilities.

Founding

In the mid-20th century, the site was leased by Deal Borough Council to Major John Jacob Astor, Member of Parliament. During World War II, it functioned as the Astor Hall/Winter Gardens and included a Women's Voluntary Services (WVS) canteen. In 1944, Major Astor gifted the site to the people of Deal as a gesture of appreciation for their resilience during the war. The building was renamed The Astor Theatre.

Campaign for preservation and restoration

Following years of underuse, public pressure mounted to preserve the theatre and its historical significance. In 2000, a dedicated campaign to save the theatre began. In June 2009, James Tillitt, representing Deal Arts Management CIC, acquired the lease and initiated a seven-month restoration project. The theatre reopened in January 2010, originally under the name The Astor Community Theatre. It quickly became a central cultural hub for the town of Deal, fostering creativity and community spirit.

Recent developments

Since the departure of James Tillitt in 2021, and despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Astor Theatre has continued to thrive. It remains a vital part of Deal's cultural landscape, celebrated for its contributions to the town’s artistic and social life.

External links

• Official website

This page will be placed in the following categories if it is moved to the article namespace.

Categories:

• 1906 establishments in England
• Theatres completed in 1906
• Theatres in Kent
• Buildings and structures in Kent