The Malvern Theatres is a respected centre for the arts in the UK. Bernard Shaw and Barrry Jackson founded the Malvern Festivals back in 1929, and the Malvern Festival Theatre has since been refurbished enabling it to host drama, dance, comedy, theatre and cinema. As such, it has a full programme of events throughout the year and attracts many acclaimed shows as they tour the UK.
The Theatre was originally built in 1884/5 as Malvern Assembly Rooms. It was a time when much of the water cure popularity was wearing off. However, by then, many important people had bought land and moved to Malvern and there was a need for large public premises, especially in the winter. Much of the building was made from glass like a green house and many plants were grown inside. This gave it the name of Winter Gardens, by which the whole theatre complex is now known. For over 40 years people enjoyed concerts, dances, political gatherings, lectures and all sorts of other entertainment here.
In 1927 Malvern Urban District Council bought the Assembly Rooms and 1929 saw the first of the Malvern Festivals, after which the theatre is named.
