People across Dartford have shared their positive thoughts surrounding the all-new Orchard West theatre over the weekend.

One theatregoer said the temporary theatre is “stunning” and was shocked that the venue was build in six weeks.

Another said they were “pleasantly surprised” to find that the building was up to scratch.

On Saturday December 9, Orchard West in Dartford opened its doors to the public for the very first time.

Dartford Borough Council (DBC) and Trafalgar Theatres constructed a state-of-the art temporary theatre venue in Dartford, following concerns over RAAC concrete in The Orchard Theatre’s roof which forced venue to close in September.

Construction began on October 30, and took just 6 weeks to complete, saving pantomime for Dartford theatregoers.

Other theatregoers said: “The bathrooms are very nice, not what I expected”

“You would never have known you were in a temporary structure once inside the main house”.

Orchard West is a fully-functional, temporary, enclosed performance space with 1,000 seats – complete with comfortable seating, heating, and cooling systems, access provision and full backstage and front-of-house facilities including indoor toilets and bars.

Audience members told staff at the Orchard West theatre that they “couldn’t believe” the fact the building was built in six weeks.

The first performance of pantomime Beauty and the Beast took place at 12pm on Saturday December 9, with a second gala performance at 7pm.

Shona McGarty leads the line-up of Dartford’s annual panto playing the title role of Belle.