The New Wolsey Theatre has been at the heart of Ipswich’s cultural life for 25 years, but our story starts even earlier.

We proudly stand on the legacy of The Arts Theatre, Ipswich’s much-loved repertory theatre, which for decades was a vital part of the town’s cultural landscape. When the Wolsey Theatre opened in 1979, it carried that tradition forward, but after closing briefly in 1999, it was brought back to life in 2001 by the New Wolsey Theatre Company – a registered charity committed to making high-quality, diverse, and accessible theatre for all.