The theatre stands on the site of a former Roman Catholic Church that had been built to serve Irish immigrants working on the local railway.

On 11 March 1910 the theatre was destroyed in a fire, and it was decided to rebuild it on the same site.

During this time actors and actresses who later achieved fame gained experience in the theatre; these included Glenda Jackson, Richard Beckinsale, Judy Loe, and Lynda Bellingham.

In 1982 the management of the theatre moved back from the trust to the Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council.

The council redecorated the theatre in 1992, and installed new seating, and in 1994 £1.5 million was spent in rebuilding the facilities in the front of the house and remodelling the gallery.

Inside the theatre is an auditorium with a dress circle, gallery and boxes.