Other stars who appeared in the theatre's early days included Ian McKellen, Mia Farrow, Julia McKenzie and Raymond Francis.

The theatre hosted a series of 'Sunday nights at the Shaw', with many notable actors including Judi Dench, Dame Flora Robson, Patricia Routledge and Michael Williams.

[2] Notable musicians, actors and comedians who have performed at the Shaw Theatre include Dionne Warwick, Kerry Ellis, Eartha Kitt, Boy George, Van Morrison, Harry Connick Jr., Ron Moody and Janie Dee, whose concert included a surprise performance by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The successful An Evening With ... nights' guests included Tony Benn, Ann Widdecombe, Sir John Mortimer and Nicholas Parsons; the latter has also recorded his radio show Just a Minute at the Shaw.

[3] After undergoing refurbishment in 1998, it was reopened by artistic director Mike Redwood in 2001 with an inaugural season including Chekov, Gogol and Snow White the Pantomime.