Crompton Stage Society was formed in 1934 and used the top floor premises of the Oddfellows Hall on Farrow Street, Shaw, for it's first ever production : The Broad Highway. Crompton Stage Society was formed in 1934 and used the top floor premises of the Oddfellows Hall on Farrow Street, Shaw, for it's first ever production : The Broad Highway. The Society acquired in 1938, a disused Methodist chapel in Gordon Street, Shaw (pictured above). During the 2nd World War, the Society kept it's doors open despite many restrictions. In the post war era the Society gained strength and as a local paper observed in our 21st year (1955), 'Crompton Stage Society' sets the standard for drama in the area'. In the early 1960's however, disaster struck when the theatre was gutted by a mystery fire. A grant of £2000 generously made by the Pilgrim Trust, together with many donations, insurance money and a tremendous amount of hard work saw the Society back in business within 3 years. A former cinema 'The Princes' (pictured left), was restored and converted to the first amateur theatre with a open thrust stage in the North West, re-opening it's doors as Playhouse 2 in December 1966.