Cities
United Kingdom York North Yorkshire Theatre

Friargate Theatre

About

Friargate Theatre in York is an intimate performance venue housed in a 19th‑century building that once served as the Friargate Wax Museum. After its closure in 1996, the space was transformed by Riding Lights Theatre Company, which opened the theatre in 2000 with a production of The Alchemist. Today it serves as the company’s permanent base while also welcoming a wide range of visiting performers and community groups. The theatre features a 100‑seat studio auditorium on the first floor and a flexible ground‑floor rehearsal room that doubles as a 50‑seat café‑style performance space. Its versatility allows it to host plays, comedy, music, film screenings, and workshops, as well as serving as a creative hub for Riding Lights’ nationally touring productions and thriving youth theatre. With its blend of historic character and modern facilities, Friargate Theatre has become a valued cultural space in the heart of York, offering audiences an accessible and welcoming setting for innovative and engaging performance.

York United Kingdom
Friargate Theatre
Location

Friargate Theatre is located on Lower Friargate, York, YO1 9SL, in the city centre close to Clifford Street and just a short walk from York Minster. It is home to Riding Lights Theatre Company and features a 100-seat studio theatre and a smaller café performance space on the ground floor. Nearby cultural attractions include the Grand Opera House, York Dungeon, Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, and the historic Shambles street. The theatre is surrounded by a vibrant area full of cafés, restaurants, and shops, making it a lively hub for arts and entertainment within York’s historic heart.

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