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”, that is with audience from all sides.
He found it in a disused cinema in Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent, which was converted to theatrical use and opened as a playhouse theatre on 9 October 1962. The first resident director was Peter Cheeseman, and he remained in control for 38 years.
The company soon established a reputation for innovative productions of both new and classic works. A particular focus was on plays with a local subject, such as The Knotty, about the North Staffordshire Railway, The Fight for Shelton Bar, about the closure of a local steelworks, and Jolly Potters.
The first production of a play by Peter Terson took place there in 1964; he was writer in residence for 18 months and wrote in all 22 plays for the Victoria.
As well as drama, the venue was also used for classical and other music. The square layout of the performance area and audience created an excellent acoustic for chamber music. The Lindsay String Quartet performed there regularly in the 1970s.
By 1985, over 280 productions had been staged. The need was felt for a larger, purpose-built building, and this was created in nearby Newcastle-under-lyme and opened its doors in 1986.
The new venue took the name The New Vic.
Whereas the old theatre had a seating capacity of 389, the main auditorium in the new theatre has a capacity of just over 600, with the audience surrounding a central stage as before.
The theatre continues to keep close to its Potteries roots. One of the plays in its re-opening season was by local playwright Arthur Berry.
In 1998 Peter Cheeseman retired as Artistic Director.
