Service - Theatre

Box Office: 01580 763826
Admin: 01580 764222 ext 223

The Sinden Theatre is located within the grounds of Homewood School and Sixth Form Centre in the picturesque town of Tenterden in Kent. Opened in 2004, the 231 seat venue is named after its patron, actor and local resident, Sir Donald Sinden CBE. The theatre was created from a pre-existing school hall when Homewood achieved Arts College status in 2003, enabling funds to be made available for the year-long conversion to take place. The Sinden provides facilities for both the school, which has a strong Performing Arts Department, and for a wider audience in its role as a professional receiving theatre serving The Weald and south-east Kent. As well as hosting many school productions, The Sinden provides a wide diversity of entertainment for the area. Artists who have trod the boards of The Sinden stage include Phil Cool, The Fureys & Davey Arthur, Maddy Prior, Richard Digence, Dave Lee, Jimmy Jones and Donald Sinden. Popular tribute bands also make regular appearances at the venue including The Bootleg Shadows and the superb ELO Experience.

The Sinden also provides facilities for number of local amdram groups including Tenterden's own operatic and dramatic society (TODS), The Staplehurst Drama Society and The Chandeliers Drama Group from Maidstone. A regular Saturday morning theatre school is run by The Academy who, usually, put on two or three shows each year in the theatre. They can be contacted via their website at: http://www.theacademystageschool.blogspot.com/

The Sinden frequently offers its facilities to local charitable organisations on a 'no-fee' basis. Among those that have taken advantage of a free venue to mount fund-raising shows have been Macmillan Cancer Relief, The Canterbury Oast Trust, Cancer Research UK, The Red Cross and the Tenterden Lions.

From time-to-time the theatre teams up with the school's excellent vocational restaurant, The Balcony, to offer a three course pre-show dinner. The menu is usually themed to go with the particular show for that night. Bookings for the restaurant can be made through the theatre box office when booking seats. We are fully-licensed and pre-show and interval drinks and snacks are available on most shows.