Story So Far

In 2005 Red Rose Chain was approached by developers working on a site by the Ipswich waterfront. In developing hundreds of apartments and commercial units they were also keen to include something within their development that would provide real benefit to the broader community. They needed something that would contribute towards making the waterfront a focus for the whole of the town.

Red Rose Chain was their first choice and they approached us with the idea of relocating to new offices and our own performance space by the docks. Since then the project has continued, with the concrete walls and doorways now visible on the site.

The name for the ‘Witchbottle Theatre’ came from the remains of pottery found by archeaologists digging near the site. The unearthed pieces of clay bottles date back to 16th century, when they were brought over by merchants visiting the then busy Ipswich port. The bottles were drinking vessels, but soon became used by locals as charms to prevent spells and dark magic tormenting them. The bottles would be filled with unusual ingredients and then buried in walls or over doorways to prevent catch spells before they caused harm.

The final stages of building will be finished in 2010 and the venue will open its doors to the public. Although the most of the building will be fitted out by the developers, Red Rose Chain still needs to raise around £300,000 to install the seating, lighting and technical facilities for the theatre space. Maybe you can help?