A highly anticipated theatre hoping to boost Kent’s live performance scene will be the UK’s first to only allow vegan food.

Revellers descending on the venue at the old Steiner school near Canterbury will be permitted to consume only meat- and dairy-free products.

But those running the spot in Garlinge Green stress they “do not want to preach” about veganism or put visitors off attending when it opens next month.

Anything eaten or consumed in the 300-capacity venue must be vegan, a rule that applies to anyone renting the site, organisers say.

It comes after a collective overhauled the former £10,000-a-year New Canterbury School’s large stage area.

The school, which operated under the Steiner educational philosophy, shut suddenly last year months after Ofsted inspectors discovered a litany of failings.

Now, the old performing arts building has been transformed into the Garlinge Theatre, set to welcome the public to its first play productions next month.

The theatre is a cooperative consisting of actress Alison Harris, her partner, Swale councillor Terry Thompson and Light Root’s Home Education, the site’s new “Steiner-inspired” school headed by James Osbiston.

Cllr Thompson explained: “The theatre was underutilised in recent years but it is purpose-built and huge so it is a brilliant venue.

“It was never really put out to the public.

“We thought it would be such a shame to waste it so we wanted to make it work as an independent theatre for education, community groups and local production companies.”

The 55-year-old, who represents East Downs, says it will be the first all-vegan theatre and entertainment venue in the country.

They will be offering ethically sourced food and drink, while also ensuring it is “as local as possible”.

“We don’t want to preach but we are open to answering any questions and we want people to enquire about it,” she added.

“We do not want to put people off who are not vegan and it is open to all.”

They also hope to raise awareness about the cause while fundraising for animal charities.

Cllr Thompson, a vegan of 22 years, said: “We need to reduce cruelty and industrial agriculture.

“What we should be moving towards is an organic and non-cruel system that would free up land for food production.

“I felt the entertainment industry, especially in a theatre, was not offering enough of that and getting on people’s radar.

“We are not going to have it on every production promotion, but it will be underlying so people can ask questions.”

The theatre is holding a dinner and dance fundraising event on Sunday, March 31, details of which are available here.

A Steiner school, also known as a Waldorf school, is based on the teachings of Rudolf Steiner, a 19th-century Austrian occultist, philosopher and teacher, who believed more in gentle teachings.

New School Canterbury publicly stressed it wanted its children to “care for the planet out of love and respect rather than fear of what will happen if they don't”.

Pupils at the site near Chartham were encouraged to develop “heads, hearts and hands” by focusing on environmental and ecological awareness and lead “purposeful and fulfilling” lives through its teachings.

But inspectors from the education watchdog were left unimpressed and slapped the school with an inadequate rating in October 2022.

An unannounced re-inspection last April found some improvements but determined it still does not meet independent school standards.

Youngsters took part in land care and environmental awareness classes, which helped pupils develop an eco-garden, and learn about rainwater harvesting, organic farming, permaculture, foraging and caring for bees.

Children were told not to wear clothes with large pictures, logos or slogans so they were “not exposed to advertisements or the trappings of self-image and consumerism”.

Canterbury Steiner School closed its doors in 2017 but parents and teachers formed the New School two years later.

There were about 46 pupils at the site in Garlinge Green, near Chartham, and charged between £8,109 to £9,240 a year.

Light Root’s Home Education was set up by families of those at New Canterbury School, who launched at the site in January.

It has 15 pupils and five teachers, describing itself as a “Steiner-inspired group” and offering home education within a formal environment.

It is headed by James Osbiston, who said: “It is learning through play and fun, and is a gentle, warm-spirited way of educating.

“It is something the families wanted and valued for their children.”

The school, which charges about £5,000 a year, does not provide a full curriculum and only offers 18 hours of education a week, so does not teach subjects such as geography, history or PE.