The present Playhouse was completed in 1963, with other parts of the site being built prior to and since that date.

The Questors is the largest community theatre in Europe with facilities of the highest professional standards that are widely used by a large number of diverse Companies and individuals for rehearsals, auditions, conferences, training and of course, performance.

Recently the Theatre benefited from a sizeable Lottery grant, which has enabled refurbishment of many parts of the venue and the building of a third rehearsal room. The Questors is conveniently located in Ealing, just three minutes walk from Ealing Film Studios, ten minutes from the nearest BR and tube service at Ealing Broadway, and within half an hours drive or tube journey from Heathrow airport.

The Questors also hires out costumes and props from its comprehensive wardrobe and props departments as well as various technical and other equipment.

This is a fully adaptable lyric theatre with performances taking place in many configurations. Proscenium, thrust and in the round are all possible. There are 3 voms situated within the auditorium which can be used open or closed and allow front of house crossover as well as back stage crossover.

Dimensions: (pros or in the round) performing area 7.3m x 8.2m; pros opening variable from 7.3m to 10.97m x 5.5m; wing width 6.10m SL. No rake, limited flying facilities.

Full set of scale plans available.

Technical Facilities: Lighting comprises Arri Impulse board with 84 channels, 77 @ 2.5kw, and 7 @ 5kw. 5 bridges and 2 side galleries provide positions for an adaptable rig. The theatre's own rig is included in the hire. A full list is available.

Sound comprises Soundcraft Board 16-8-2, FOH speakers, 2 x DAT machines, 2 x minidisc, CD, 2 x reel to reel, various microphones.

Stage Management comprises a prompt desk with communication to dressing rooms, FOH and 8 outstations.

Other facilities comprise two dressing rooms with showers and toilets and a back stage kitchen. A piano is also available for hire. The audience capacity is determined by the stage configuration and varies from 320 up to 400.

A black box in which again the configurations of performance area vary. Seating is achieved by using free-standing rostra.

The Studio is available for hire both as a performance or conference space, or during the day, as a rehearsal space subject to availability.

Dimensions: Total performing and seating area 8.34m x 14.02m, small wing 6.1m x 4.6m, height to ceiling 5.4m.

Technical Facilities: Lighting comprises zero 88 Sirius 24 board with 24 channels @ 2.5kw, and a basic rig which is included in the hire, access to which is by scaffolding tower. Sound comprises cassette deck, CD player and 2 x minidisc. Other facilities comprise one dressing room with shower and toilet; a piano is available for hire.

Capacities are determined by the performing and seating configuration but vary from 72 to 120.

There are 3 large rehearsal rooms, all of which are available for hire. Availability is limited, however in the evenings and at weekends when The Questors rehearses its own productions. All 3 rooms are also suitable for meetings, training and as break-out spaces.

Tables and chairs can be provided at no extra cost.

The Alfred Emmet Room

Named after the founder of The Questors, it is the newest of the rehearsal rooms and has a sprung wood floor suitable for dance.

It was built during our recent refurbishment programme and opened in 1998.

Dimensions:1 1m x 9m

Return to the top of the page

The Shaw Room

Situated on the ground floor with an independent entrance if required. There is a rehearsal piano in this room which is included in the cost of hire.

Dimensions: 12m x 8.5m

Return to the top of the page

The Redgrave Room

Situated within "The Lodge", the early Victorian building which forms part of the Venue; it also has a rehearsal piano which is included in the cost of hire.

Dimensions: 1 1 m x 8.5m

Return to the top of the page

This is our popular members' bar which is open every evening from 7pm. Membership of the bar is available free of charge to all hirers for the duration of the hire period provided a list of names has been given to The Questors in advance.,

Membership is automatically granted to all members of the hirer's audience with a valid ticket for that evening's performance. Though not usual practice, The Grapevine is prepared to consider opening at lunchtime for a hirer if requested well in advance.

These areas of the venue are also available for hire. The Committee Room within "The Lodge" is perfect as a small meeting room, small audition or interview room or as a production office.

Hotplate is situated in the main foyer. It has a servery with hot and cold plates and two freezers, with a small equipped kitchen behind. It can be used to serve lunch to delegates or actors/crew, to serve pre-show or interval food or could be used by an outside caterer.

The Main Foyer and the smaller West Foyer are included in the cost of hire if you are booking the Playhouse. Equally they can be used independently as exhibition spaces.

The Questors Car Park is available for use by hirers on a first-come first-served basis. Alternatively parking bays can be reserved in advance for which there is a charge.,