Malvern Theater

Strip lighting and red velvet seats greet you at this proper community playhouse in the heart of Malvern. The Malvern Theater keeps local drama alive with a mix of amateur productions, touring shows and the occasional professional company passing through the Worcestershire hills.

Expect anything from Gilbert and Sullivan operettas to contemporary dramas - the programming leans heavily towards crowd-pleasers rather than experimental fare. The intimate auditorium means there's not a bad seat in the house, though the Victorian-era building shows its age in places. Sound quality varies depending on what's on.

Families will find pantomimes at Christmas and the odd children's show, but this is really one for adults who appreciate live performance without the London prices. Productions run for short seasons, typically Thursday through Saturday nights.

The theater works well as an evening activity if you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks like Malvern Hills Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite or Oakmere Parks, both just a few minutes' drive away. After a day walking the Malvern Hills, settling into plush seats for some local entertainment feels just right. Check their program before travelling though - dark weeks between productions are common, and you'd hate to arrive to find the doors locked.