About Storyhouse
Storyhouse is the cultural heart of Chester — a striking Art Deco building on Hunter Street that houses a main theatre, a second studio stage, an independent cinema, the city's public library and a full restaurant, all sharing one continuous, open space rather than being boxed off into separate departments. Walk in during the day and you'll find people reading in the library a few steps from where a matinee is about to start, or having lunch overlooking the box office.
The building began life in 1936 as an Odeon cinema, designed in the Art Deco style under the direction of renowned cinema architect Harry Weedon. It closed in 2007 and stood empty for a decade before a £37 million transformation — led by architects Bennetts Associates — reopened it in May 2017 as Storyhouse. The original Grade II-listed façade and proscenium arch were carefully preserved, with a striking new extension built around them to house the 800-seat main auditorium.
Since opening, Storyhouse has picked up a string of awards, including recognition as one of the UK's most welcoming theatres, and draws well over a million visitors a year. It's operated as a registered charity, with ticket sales and memberships directly supporting its year-round programme of theatre, festivals and community work.
Popular shows and summer performances sell out fast.
Explore the Building
Storyhouse isn't a single venue so much as five in one. Here's what's inside.
The Theatres
An 800-seat main house that reconfigures between proscenium and thrust staging, plus the smaller Garret Theatre for more intimate shows.
The Cinema
A boutique independent cinema with red velvet seats, a nod to the building's original 1936 Odeon design.
The Library
Chester's public library, with reading rooms, co-working space, free WiFi and a dedicated children's library, The Den.
The Kitchen
An in-house restaurant and bar on the ground floor, plus The Garret bar on the fourth floor with panoramic views over Chester.
Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre
Every summer, a corner of Chester's Grosvenor Park becomes an open-air stage for around eight weeks of theatre, comedy and music.
Moonlight Flicks
Open-air cinema screenings under the stars in Grosvenor Park, running alongside the summer theatre season.
What's On at Storyhouse
A snapshot of what's coming up across the theatre and Grosvenor Park. The full programme changes constantly, so check listings before you travel — and book early for anything in the Grosvenor Park season, which regularly sells out.
Jane Eyre
Storyhouse Theatre, 10–21 Nov · Captioned, audio-described & BSL performances availableThe Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Storyhouse Theatre, 16–20 Mar 2027Hadestown
Storyhouse Theatre, 2–6 Nov 2027 · Captioned, audio-described & BSL performances availableDates correct at time of publication and subject to change. Tickets are sold via Ticketmaster — always confirm exact showtimes before you travel.
Festivals & Annual Highlights
Beyond its regular programme, Storyhouse produces several recurring festivals worth planning a trip around: Chester Literature Festival each November brings authors and speakers to the building; WayWord Festival runs over the February half-term with family-friendly storytelling and events; and the summer Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre season is, for many Chester residents, the highlight of the year.
Eating & Drinking
The Kitchen is Storyhouse's ground-floor restaurant and bar, serving a globally-inspired menu built around big and small plates — a relaxed spot for a pre-theatre dinner or a casual lunch that doesn't require a ticket to visit. For something quieter, The Garret on the fourth floor is a smaller bar with panoramic views across Chester's rooftops, a good spot for a drink before an evening performance.
Facilities & Accessibility
Getting There
Storyhouse sits on Hunter Street in the heart of Chester city centre, a five-minute walk from Chester's Eastgate Clock and the historic Rows. Chester railway station is around a 15-minute walk or a short taxi ride away. The nearest dedicated parking is New Market Parking, a multi-storey car park directly on Hunter Street with capacity for roughly 800 vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
About This Guide
This guide is published by Deva & The Dragon, an independent visitor guide to Chester and Wrexham. We're not affiliated with Storyhouse or its box office — for official listings, membership and access information, visit storyhouse.com directly.