Plymouth Theatre Company

Plymouth Theatre Company is one of the South West’s longest‑running amateur companies, staging more than 140 productions that range from Gilbert & Sullivan classics to big‑budget musicals and, more recently, pantomimes. Now based in its own 305‑seat Devonport Playhouse, a venue the company has owned and run since 1988, the charity is overseen by a volunteer committee and sustains a thriving Youth Company that mounts two full‑scale shows a year. Welcoming new members onstage and off, the group continues its original mission of “creating theatrical magic” for Plymouth audiences while preserving and developing its historic home for future generations.

Client: Plymouth Theatre Company
Website: www.plymouththeatrecompany.com
Service: Website Design & Development
Sector: Charity & the Arts

Adgective recently partnered with Plymouth Theatre Company to design and develop a new website that reflects the company’s rich heritage and vibrant community spirit. The redesigned site offers a fresh, modern interface that improves user experience while celebrating the theatre’s long-standing tradition in the performing arts. With streamlined navigation, integrated ticketing, and dedicated sections for upcoming shows, youth productions, and volunteer opportunities, the new site makes it easier than ever for audiences to engage with the company. Adgective worked closely with Plymouth Theatre Company to ensure the platform not only honours its history but also supports its future growth and outreach.

The Brief

Plymouth Theatre Company approached Adgective with a clear and ambitious brief: to create a modern, user-friendly website that would both honour the company’s rich theatrical legacy and support its evolving needs as a dynamic, volunteer-led organisation. The brief called for a fresh design that would reflect the energy of the company while improving accessibility and engagement for a diverse audience—including patrons, performers, and volunteers. Key priorities included mobile responsiveness, an easy-to-update content management system, integrated event and ticketing features, and dedicated spaces to showcase current productions, the Youth Company, and opportunities to get involved. The new site also needed to reinforce the identity of the Devonport Playhouse as a vital cultural hub within Plymouth.

Key aspects

The new website for Plymouth Theatre Company needed to include several key aspects to meet the goals outlined in their brief:

  • Modern, Responsive Design – A fresh, visually appealing layout that works seamlessly across all devices, from desktops to mobile phones.
  • Easy Navigation – Intuitive site structure that allows users to quickly find information about shows, tickets, the Youth Company, and how to get involved.
  • Integrated Ticketing – A reliable and user-friendly ticket booking system that supports upcoming events and simplifies the purchase process.
  • Content Management System (CMS) – An easy-to-use backend that enables the team to update show details, news, and other content without technical expertise.
  • Showcase for Productions – Dedicated pages for current, upcoming, and past productions, with space for cast lists, photos, and promotional material.
  • Volunteer and Member Information – Clear pathways for new members to join, volunteer, or participate in the Youth Company.
  • Community Focus – A design and tone that reflect the welcoming, inclusive ethos of the company and encourage wider community engagement.

These features were essential to ensure the website would be both functional and reflective of Plymouth Theatre Company’s values and ambitions.

Final stage

The project ended by having a CMS training workshop and a manual of useful step-by-step instruction on how to make changes to their website was handed to the client.

”Working with Adgective has been a fantastic experience from start to finish. Adgective immediately understood who we are as a company and what we needed from our new website, not just a fresh look, but a practical tool that would help us grow and better serve our community. The team was responsive, creative, and incredibly supportive throughout the process, and the final result speaks for itself. We've had wonderful feedback from our audiences, members, and volunteers, and we’re proud to have a digital presence that truly reflects the spirit of Plymouth Theatre Company.

Liz SmithChairman, Plymouth Theatre Company