Our vision for Tring’s DEMBE Theatre

As we strive to ensure the future of this wonderful theatre, we look around at the changing landscape of theatre and the arts, and we see local, regional and national theatres, music and arts centres facing closure due to cuts in funding and the overwhelming cost of living crisis.   It is our duty, therefore, to pause and take a moment to wonder how we navigate these uncertain times and ensure, as far as we can, that we have a robust, proactive and creative business model in place.

Our vision, created after careful consideration, reflection and consultation, will help us to continue the long history of community provision and engagement, as well as ensuring a stable and secure future for this cherished independent arts venue.  Our vision statement is made up of four simple endeavours...

• To be local: providing a professional, independent theatre in the heart of the community, serving Tring and surrounding areas.
• To be economical: offering subsidised rates for amateur and community groups; for performances, charity events and community projects.
• To be sustainable: protecting the theatre’s future by transitioning from being reliant on one individual to finance its future, to a secure model of self-sufficiency.
• To be educational: imparting essential life skills in confidence, communication and collaboration through participation in theatre and the creative arts.

The History of this Beautiful Theatre

The original manor at Pendley predates 1066, but the current Manor House, riding stables and indoor riding school were built in 1875, and passed down to the late Dorian Williams (a show jumping commentator, and creator of the Pendley Shakespeare Festival since 1949).

Having previously run an adult education centre from the Manor, Dorian Williams redeveloped the indoor riding school, and later tennis court, into Pendley Arts Centre shortly after the second world war.

The Manor & Arts Centre were acquired by David Evans in 1985 as the creative hub and head office for his company, Grass Roots.

A few years later Pendley Manor was sold to a hotel company, and Grass Roots converted the stable block to become the head offices of Grass Roots.  Pendley Arts Centre was run as a community venue under the financial support of Grass Roots Group, and subsequently changed its name to The Court Theatre.

The Grass Roots business and buildings were sold in 2016, but to save the future of the theatre, David Evans, purchased the building and continued to support it financially.  Under the guidance of CTL, the theatre was run by dozens of passionate volunteers, and their service to the community and the story of this theatre must not be underestimated.

In 2023, with the cost of living crisis at large and the rapid closure of regional arts venues across the UK, coupled with David’s desire to leave a legacy that continues way beyond his years, work began on developing a new model that kept community arts at the heart of the venture, but moved to being financially sustainable.

In 2024, the theatre changed its name to DEMBE Theatre, and engaged a new theatre team, under the guidance of Liz Raba, to support its strong history of community theatre, whilst inspiring the next generation in an approach which focuses on the education and opportunities for young people through theatre and the creative arts.

Our Patron

Local arts and community have long been something David cares deeply about and thousands of children, young people and adults have performed on the stage and made life-long memories within the walls of this beautiful building.

Grass Roots, under the direction of David, funded the theatre for decades - purchasing new equipment such as seating and curtains, maintaining the building and offering significantly reduced rents and professional services.

Now in his retirement, David has continued to provide the same levels of financial support from his personal wealth, and is taking the theatre back under his watchful eye to ensure that considered and appropriate changes are made so the theatre continues to have a long and successful future.

David has always been passionate about philanthropy, and was awarded an MBE for services to Corporate Social Responsibility in 2008, the first to receive the award for this single citation. David is proud to have supported many local organisations, particularly those devoted to the education and development of young people, and alongside his devotion to the theatre, is excited to offer opportunities for young people to develop essential life skills from their involvements in the arts.

How selfish soever man may be supposed, there are evidently some principles in his nature, which interest him in the fortune of others, and render their happiness necessary to him, though he derives nothing from it, except the pleasure of seeing it.