In the early 1960s, Stephen Joseph was searching for a permanent base for his Studio Theatre company which specialised in theatrical productions in the round.
[1][2] The first resident director was Peter Cheeseman who remained in control for 36 years, bar a period in 1967–68 when he was temporarily replaced by the management.
The square layout of the performance area and audience created an excellent acoustic for chamber music.
The need had been felt for a larger, purpose-built building from the very start, and this was created in nearby Newcastle-under-Lyme and opened its doors in 1986 after many years of fundraising, negotiation with local councils and construction.
[5] The musical acoustics are good and the Lindsay String Quartet performed there regularly, as they had done at the old theatre.