The Web Theatre opened in September 2004.
- It is the only privately owned theatre in Ireland and is home to Dreamcatchers Theatre and Educational Drama Company. Husband and wife team Ian and Candice Foster had been working together since 2002 providing drama workshops throughout the province.
The couple discovered a disused factory building in the centre of Newtownards at the beginning of 2004 and could see the potential of the old building. Dating back to 1875 the premises began life as a Good Templar Hall and was then used by The Salvation Army, the most recent use of the building was as a factory.
The couple worked throughout the year to transform their dream into a reality and were delighted to open the doors in September 2004 to students of all ages. The downstairs comprises of an office, a coffee bar, three dressing rooms and a bright modern studio.
Upstairs a welcoming foyer leads to a 120 seat raked auditorium. The Victorian décor of red velvet and gold gives the impression of a by gone era a sharp contrast to the modern vibe of the downstairs area. The theatre also boasts a well lit car part at the rear of the premises and a lift ensures that everyone can access the building.
The theatre is now used by a wide range of local community groups who are able to benefit from a central location and high quality venue. Every year since its inception the theatre has increased the opportunities to see a wide range of professional and amateur theatre.
It is also now used as a cinema since the investment of a state of the art screen. Local charities are able to raise much needed funding by booking the theatre and screening a film.The next step in this creative journey is to host a wide range of festivals for schools and drama groups.
The Web’s ethos is to provide enjoyable entertainment for all ages and to promote the joy that live performance can bring to the community.