For the past 50 years, a former oast house which was transformed into a vibrant theatre has been the venue where audiences flock to be entertained thanks to the work of hundreds of volunteers.

From stage building to costume design, cleaning or performing, everyone involved plays a vital role in keeping the Oast Theatre in London Road, Tonbridge, a thriving place to be.

The venue, which is completely volunteer-run, puts on 10 productions a season on the main stage with around 100 people involved in each one.

One volunteer set-builder, Philip Antony Cooper, says he’s not sure the town has realised “what a marvellous theatre it has been”.

His parents, who were founding members, helped change the redundant farm building into a centre for drama and art in 1974 after much fundraising.

The retired dentist, who has been with the Tonbridge Theatre and Arts Club (TTAC) since 1960, said: “Our productions have become more professional and I’m very proud of some of the productions I come and see here. It’s very high quality and the acting is terrific.

“I think Tonbridge hasn’t realised what a marvellous theatre it has been, all the time it’s been here.

“People do suddenly come along to see something and are always very surprised they didn’t know it existed and are amazed how professional it is.”

Speaking of this impressive transformation, long-standing volunteer Lee Kirk said: “When we bought this place it was a basic oast house, and it could have gone beautifully wrong, but it’s gone beautifully right.

“There was no heating when we first moved here, you used to bring your blanket.

“It really was a work in progress, but the ethos and sense of family has remained which is wonderful.”

And for Lee, it is a family thing as her late husband George Kirk starred in many of the productions, as well as her children and grandchildren.

“We are an amateur theatre that sets professional standards,” she added.

And like Lee and Philip, many of the volunteers have been part of the Oast family for decades.

During her 40 years with the theatre, Maggie Hoiles featured in masses of plays but now works on the management, drama and social committees while also looking after publicity.

She said: “I came to see a play here and I was impressed by what I saw so I thought I’d really like to join.”

From there she turned up for an audition and the rest was history, adding: “It’s a very special place, I absolutely love it here.”

Shedding light on everything that goes into a production, Maggie says it starts with the directors deciding which play to put on.

From there the programmes are settled and then discussions start with design and lighting, and then the wardrobe and prop department will be consulted.

One person who knows a thing or two about this area is wardrobe volunteer Beti Price who has been with the drama society since 1968.

She said: “We’ve got very talented people here. In the past the National Theatre has bought two costumes from the Oast Theatre.”

Beti, who also used to direct plays and has been on stage herself, also enjoyed seeing her sons Tudor and Conrad in productions, with one son pursuing a career in the industry.

But while she says “everybody pulls together for production” she says there is a need for more younger people to get involved.

She said: “A lot of our members are octogenarians so what we have to consider now is having younger people to take over.

“We have some youngsters now, albeit in their 60s.”

The theatre is putting on its Christmas production of Arabian Nights from December 7-14, and tickets can be bought via its website. Click here.

And with many getting ready to relax and watch the show, for the incredible team of volunteers it’s a busy time with an awful lot of work going on behind the curtains.

Maggie said: “It’s a real big team that goes into every production and I think doing one every month – there aren’t many amateur theatres that can do that.”

The Oast Theatre opened in April 1974, and the first production was Tom Jones, directed by Jean McConnell.