The Marlowe Theatre

The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury is Kent’s large scale, state-of-the-art theatre and engine house for the performing arts. Situated in the centre of the beautiful cathedral city of Canterbury, we present a year-round programme of the best touring classic and contemporary theatre, musicals, dance, opera, music and comedy and we produce theatre at all scales for and with the young people and communities of Kent.

We bring world-class companies and artists to audiences in Kent and beyond and over 400,000 people see a show here every year.

In 2022, The Marlowe was named as Theatre Of The Year in the Stage Awards and our pantomime was named as Best Pantomime at the national Pantomime Awards.

Our Resident Companies are PROJEKT EUROPA, The Philharmonia Orchestra and Glyndebourne Opera. Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures and The RSC are Marlowe Associate Companies.

We develop the creative lives of young people in Kent and provide opportunities to develop their skills as theatre-makers, advocates and future industry leaders.

Our work with young people happens at our dedicated learning space, The Marlowe Kit, housed in a wonderful twelfth century building. The Marlowe Kit is home to both The Marlowe Youth Company and our work with schools and the community.