The Chesil Theatre occupies St Peter’s Church which once stood outside the City gates in Chesil Street.
The earliest mention of  St Peter’s church is found in the Domesday Book, written shortly after the survey of the City in 1148.
Before 1142, St Denis Priory owned the chapel, but it is certain that parts of the church are Norman in origin.
After the Second World War the church fell out of use and by 1960 it was becoming structurally unsafe. The Winchester Preservation Trust, newly formed at that time, undertook to save the building. The Diocese had no alternative use for the building so the Winchester Dramatic Society negotiated a rent free tenancy, in exchange for keeping the building in good repair.
The church has adapted well to it’s new role as a Theatre. The tower has become a wardrobe store, the vestry a dressing room, the south aisle a scenery store, and the stage now occupies the nave. The back row of the auditorium seating marks the site of the altar.

The Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain (LTG) is a voluntary organisation of 89 Amateur Theatre companies which have control over their own premises and produce drama of a high quality for the benefit of their communities. The Chesil Theatre has been a member of the Guild since 1989.

New members are always welcome, and not just aspiring actors. There is always a shortage of people with technical skills, particularly set builders and designers, lighting designers and operators, sound technicians and stage managers, property managers and wardrobe experts as well as those wishing to help with administration and box office front of house.

To contact the company you can e-mail them at info@chesiltheatre.org.uk or write to them at The Chesil Theatre, Chesil Street, Winchester, SO23 0HU