Tucked away in a courtyard just off Stockton's riverside, The Georgian Theatre's unpretentious interior provides an intimate setting for an evening's entertainment - no glitz or glamour, just a good pint and some of the best original music to be found on Teesside.

Until recently, the venue was managed and promoted by Stockton Music & Arts Collective [SMAC] - a not for profit organisation which campaigned for a home to stage live music during the early 90's and were gifted the lease of this magnificent 18th Century space by its genuinely supportive local council owner, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.

The Georgian Theatre, built in 1766, began life as one of several 'touring' houses on a northern circuit - built and maintained by 'actor / managers'.  Called variously The Oxford Road Playhouse and Theatre Royal, these venues were the MTV of their day - bringing news and the latest fashions to the working classes of northern England.

Theatre in those days was far from genteel and a trip to the building in those days would have been a rough old experience if you weren't in a private box.

The theatre fell into disuse and disrepair some time during the 19th century and 'enjoyed' life as a sweetie factory until the late 50's.  More disuse and disrepair resulted in the property being acquired by the local council in the 60's before a refurbishment saw it re-opened as a community building in 1980.

The theatre struggled to find its way - with its relatively small capacity and operating more as an historic building than working venue.  Its use eventually settled more towards meeting hall and community centre that the promotion of art.  In 1993 the fledgling music & arts collective approached the local council looking for a home... the rest as they say is history.

In 2006, SMAC became part of TEES MUSIC ALLIANCE after merging with its 'sister' - Middlesbrough Music Collective.  A programme of capital works saw the theatre receive a much needed and long overdue makeover in 2007 - crumbling internal walls were given a new, clean finish; new toilets and dressing rooms constructed; efficient heating installed and a bright new bar area created.

2008 will see the exterior of the venue, along with its neighbour Green Dragon Studios, undergo improvements to lighting and signage; the wider Green Dragon Yard and Theatre Yard areas will undergo environmental improvements - leading to greater leisure use of the area - now defined as Stockton Cultural Quarter.