Progress Theatre is a self-governing, self-funding theatre group founded in 1947 and maintained by volunteers. As a registere ... d Charity we are committed to promoting education in the performing arts as well as producing a programme of varied, interesting and challenging drama to the highest standard. Our intimate 95 seat venue has a fully licensed bar and is the oldest operating theatre in Reading. There is wheelchair access to the Theatre with a seat for disabled patrons and their carer. Progress has a thriving Youth Theatre, a Writers’ Group, the Friends of Progress and the Members themselves. Progress Theatre enjoys good relations with the Arts and Leisure department of Reading Borough Council, and use to stage the 350-seat Reading Abbey Ruins Open Air Shakespeare in partnership with Reading Borough Council each summer before the Abbeys Ruins was closed for refurbishment. We now produce the Reading Open Air Shakespeare annually in the enchanting settings of Caversham Court Gardens during July. We are members of the Little Theatre Guild (LTG) and the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) and we are a registered in England as a charity (no. 205440). read more