Thriving Amateur Dramatics In Chandler’s Ford

What is the distinction between The Arch, and The Chameleon Theatre Company?

The Arch is formerly the Station Youth Centre where the Chandler’s Ford Youth Theatre group meet.

The Chameleon Theatre Company

The Chameleon Theatre Company meets at The Ritchie Hall every Tuesday evening.

This Hall is one of the 3 Halls operated by the Chandler’s Ford Community Association (CFCA) on Hursley Road next to St. Boniface Church.

The CFCA has its own large car park for audience members.

Centrestage Productions Youth Theatre

The former Station Youth Centre at Chandler’s Ford is now the permanent home of Centrestage Production (CPYT).

Eastleigh Borough Council transferred the lease for the buildings and grounds, near Chandler’s Ford Station, to the company.

The centre is now known as The Arch, reflecting the arch of the theatre stage. The centre provides rehearsal facilities for CPYT and also benefits other local organisations.

The new sign was donated by long time supporter of the youth theatre, Keith Dixon in memory of his father David and was unveiled by CPYT members Kelly and Lisa McGreal and Tom Gale, who first suggested The Arch as the new name.

New sculpture for The Arch by Paul Sivell

In the January issue of the Chandler’s Ford Newsletter issued by Eastleigh Borough Council, we learned that a new sculpture by Paul Sivell was installed at The Arch symbolising their artistic talents and emphasising the team spirit that exists within the group.

Paul Sivell is already famous in Chandler’s Ford for his work on the carving of the fallen oak tree at Hocombe Mead in Chandler’s Ford.

He carved dragonfly, Hard Fern, and butterflies (Orange Tip, White Admiral and Comma) on the fallen oak tree in Hocombe Mead. The 180-year-old tree was blown down in 2012.

Note: This post is based on one of my recent comments on the local social media site Streetlife. In this thread, we were discussing where the centre of Chandler’s Ford is.

As an active member of The Chameleon Theatre Company I felt the need to ensure that Streetlife subscribers are clear about the history of both The Arch and The Chameleon Theatre, as both groups are located near Chandler’s Ford train station.