Charles Cryer Studio Theatre

The Charles Cryer Studio Theatre sits tucked away in Redhill, and it's the sort of venue that rewards curiosity. You're looking at a proper little black-box theatre - 120 seats, exposed brickwork, the kind of place where you're close enough to see an actor's face properly. They programme everything from amateur dramatics to professional touring shows, so what's on the night you visit matters enormously. One evening you might catch a community production of a classic, the next a contemporary piece you've never heard of.

This isn't for passive audiences. The intimacy means you're genuinely part of the room - good if the performance sings, a bit uncomfortable if it doesn't. Most shows run Friday to Sunday, with the occasional weeknight slot. The venue takes its name from the theatre pioneer Charles Cryer, which tells you something about its roots in proper theatrical work rather than tourist theatre.

Worth timing with a night in the nearby Alderstead Heath Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite, just under six miles away. Catch an early evening show, grab a drink in Redhill town centre afterwards. Check their website for what's actually on - this is live theatre, not a museum piece, so programming shifts constantly. It's genuinely worthwhile if you catch something that lands right, though you'll want to research the schedule before committing. Not the sort of place you visit on spec hoping something's on.