Your visit to Theatre Porto
The doors of our new theatre and transformed cultural centre in Whitby Park, Ellesmere Port opened on August 10th, 2022 after a £2.8M development funded by Cheshire West and Chester Council and Arts Council England.
The new, award-winning venue is the only specialist, purpose-built theatre and cultural centre for children and young people in Cheshire and one of a small number across England.
Our new name has arisen out of many conversations over time, and more recently, based on creative work we have done with local children and young people around the values of place, play and child centeredness.
Our new state-of-the-art theatre designed by award winning architects Bennetts Associates, beautifully compliments historical Whitby Hall, and comprises:
- a 150 seat flexible auditorium for performances
- film screenings (including National Theatre Live)
- rehearsal spaces
- workshop rooms
- a café with an outdoor terrace
Theatre Porto is committed to providing inclusive and accessible facilities for all our guests. We have accessible toilets, a baby changing station, Disabled parking spaces close to the entrance and a platform lift to the first floor for those with mobility challenges. Our ground floor is designed with step-free access, ensuring that everyone can enjoy our facilities comfortably and without any hindrance.
To support visitors who are neurodivergent or would benefit from a visual resource, you can download our social story here.
When we have a public performance, production or event on we endeavour to provide tailored Supported Visits for guests if needed; whereby our Access & Pastoral Lead can offer extra support to enable our visitors who may identify as disabled, neurodivergent or who may need extra input or information to comfortably engage with what we do. If you have any Access Requirements or want a chat about your visit please contact natasha@theatreporto.org – we’ll always do everything we can to make sure your visit goes as smoothly as possible.
Theatre Porto can support your school to visit not only our wonderful building but the green flag awarded Whitby Park that surrounds us.
We can provide full risk assessments ahead of any visit and spaces inside or outside for packed lunches to be eaten before or after a show/ workshop.
If you’d like to find our more information about our schools offer please click here.
If you require any specific information please contact – Jessica Egan-Simon our Producer via email – jess@TheatrePorto.org
To access the Technical Specification for Theatre Porto, please click here.
If you require any specific information please contact – Matt Bennett our Production Manager via email – matt@TheatrePorto.org
You can hire our spaces for a variety of uses – find our more here
By Bus
There is a bus stop directly outside the entrance to Whitby Park which is a two minute walk to our building in the middle of the park
By Train
- Ellesmere Port train station is on the Merseyrail line
- We are a 15 minute walk from the railway station
By Car or Bicycle
- Our postcode is CH65 6QY
- There are car parks available with ample, free parking
- You can find us on Google maps – click here
- If you plan to cycle to Theatre Porto, we have cycle racks conveniently located right outside our building
Make something happen...
Theatre Porto work with children and young people as creative collaborators, to make professional and aspirational theatre which we share locally, regionally, nationally and internationally from our home in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, UK.
If you are an artist or company interested in partnerships or bringing work to us, please contact: programming@TheatrePorto.org.
If you are a school and are interested in working with us or using our work, please contact: learning@TheatrePorto.org.
Contact Theatre Porto
Have any questions?
For enquiries about our projects and programme, if you have any questions or would like any further information, please contact: 0151 357 2120 or email info@TheatrePorto.org.
If you are interested in hiring our spaces as offices or for events/groups, please click here.