The 19th Hole Theatre Company

A Golf Club Success Story

The 19th Hole Theatre Company is Deane Golf Club’s own in house theatre company established four years ago. It was born of a collaboration between the golf club and a local theatre group bringing live theatre to club members and local residents alike.

Since hosting our first production in 2014 we have staged ten plays ranging from comedy to thrillers, classics and farce; among them “‘Allo ‘Allo” , “Spring and Port Wine” and Jeffrey Archer’s Classic “Beyond Reasonable Doubt”.

The theatre group has evolved over the past four years into a highly respected organization known for producing drama of a consistently excellent standard. Last summer saw it reach a pinnacle with the production of Jim Cartwright’s “Two” – an award-winning play by the world renowned author of “The Rise and Fall of Little Voice”.

Such was the response to the success of this production that a further three day run was staged six weeks later in aid of Bolton Hospice, raising over £3000 for this worthy cause and supported by Jim Cartwright himself, not only in the local press but by his attendance at the opening night -  a very special occasion indeed. Please go to the 19th Hole theatre group’s Facebook page to see Jim Cartwright’s post play speech.

The 19th Hole has undoubtedly given a much needed, new dynamic facet to the social life of our golf club. We stage two productions a year, comprising generally a four or five day run. At only £8 per ticket we have typically raised between £1400 to £2100 clear profit from each play not to mention a massive shot in the arm for our bar takings during show week.

There is little doubt that the 19th hole has been the catalyst for local residents to frequent the club more regularly for lunch and other functions and they have come to treat the club as a valuable local facility, with many becoming social members. This has definitely given a significant boost to club revenues.

We are able to achieve all of this without a typical “staged” production – instead performing “in the round” on the dance floor of our function room and with a seating capacity of between 100 and 120. We have consistently sold out each night and often put on one, or sometimes even two extra nights, to meet the ever-increasing demand.