Our story

Talks of a performance venue in Giggleswick began all the way back in the nineties, but it was only in 2008 that Giggleswick School officially announced plans for the £1.3 million construction of the multi-functional theatre found here today. Following a fundraising appeal, the project was financed through the incredible generosity of various benefactors connected to the school and village.

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It was the well renowned Richard Whiteley, himself an old boy of the school, that provided the greatest donation. Alongside the late Countdown host’s Giggleswick links, it therefore seemed only right that the theatre took his illustrious name. Of course, he also had a truly sensational career; upon his passing in 2005, only Test Card’s Carole Hersee had clocked up more time on British television screens than him.

Richard’s smile and selfless nature has been at the heart of what we do ever since we opened our doors to the public in 2010. Whether it’s meeting with visiting artists or welcoming audiences through our doors, we always have a friendliness about us. Richard was the first face to appear on Channel 4, and we’re honoured to now have him as the face of our cutting-edge theatre.