Theatre on the Steps in Bridgnorth lines up Robin Hood after a busy autumn

On the Stoneway Steps in Bridgnorth sits one of Shropshire's most characterful small theatres. Theatre on the Steps occupies the former Stoneway Chapel, and its own history page tells the story of how it came to be.

The chapel came onto the market in about 1960. A company of enthusiastic amateur actors and townspeople, led by Peter Taylor, negotiated to buy the building, and by the end of 1962 the deal was done. Coffee mornings, jumble sales and productions raised the money, while volunteers stripped out pews and the organ, carried building materials down the steps and installed around 200 seats salvaged from the Odeon cinema at Coseley.

The theatre has been improved many times since, with a restored balcony, a new bar and foyer, raked stalls seating, and a new stage, fly gallery and sound and lighting systems installed in 2010. New seating went in during the Covid lockdowns.

Its programme mixes visiting productions with work from its own company. In October it hosted Third Class: A Titanic Story, an acclaimed one-man play about Edward Dorking, an openly gay man who survived the sinking, followed by a question and answer session on the history behind it.

The weeks ahead are packed. Strictly Abba plays on 6 and 7 November, followed by Forever Billy Joel, The Rise of the Beatles and bluegrass duo Mountain Song. Don't Cry for me Kenny Dalglish, a one-man play and Edinburgh Fringe hit, arrives on 28 November, and Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes on 1 December.

December also brings Not The Rolling Stones, The Rat Pack Reprise and, on 19 December, A Ghost Story For Christmas, ghost stories told as M.R. James intended. The new year opens with Robin Hood: A Panto Adventure from 9 to 30 January, and Rain or Shine Theatre Company brings Dracula: Totally Batty on 4 February.

There are plenty of ways to get involved beyond buying a ticket, including a youth theatre, resident companies, a Friends of the Theatre scheme and volunteering.

To book, visit theatreonthesteps.co.uk or call the box office on 01746 766 477.