Marlowe Theatre

The Marlowe Theatre is Canterbury's main theatre, named after the city's famous playwright Christopher Marlowe. The theatre is a modern building located in the heart of the city centre, close to the cathedral and historic shopping streets. It serves as the city's principal venue for live performance, programming a varied calendar of theatre, comedy, dance, musicals, and concerts. The theatre regularly attracts touring West End productions, regional theatre companies, and stand-up comedians, alongside hosting local community events and performances. With both a main auditorium and a smaller studio space, the Marlowe accommodates different scales of production and experimental work.

The venue has become a focal point of Canterbury's cultural offering and is well-integrated into the city's visitor economy. The theatre cafe and bar areas are open to non-ticket holders, making it a useful reference point for evening entertainment when visiting the city. Visitors planning to spend an evening in Canterbury will find a regularly updated programme of shows on the theatre's website. The location in the city centre means it's easy to combine a theatre visit with exploring the cathedral, medieval streets, and restaurants and bars nearby.