The Elgiva Hall opened on its original location in 1976. In 1998, having made way for an enlarged supermarket development the New Elgiva was rebuilt as a purpose-built theatre and cinema on its current site, with the official reopening performed by Danny La Rue!

Now re-branded, The Elgiva is a 300 seated / 400 standing capacity theatre, with a digital cinema and is owned and managed by Chesham Town Council. The Elgiva presents a wide-ranging programme of professional and amateur productions, top comedy, musicals, ballet/dance, one night shows, a professional pantomime, an eclectic range of movies, exhibitions, weddings and other public and private events.

The Elgiva is named after Lady Elgiva, wife of Saxon King Edwy and the daughter of Ethelgiva (murdered during the constitutional crisis of 957-8), she was sister to Ethelwerd (who wrote the Latin Chronicle). Lady Elgiva created the first record of Chesham in bequeathing her estate of ‘Caesteleshamm’ to the abbey at Abingdon in 970 AD and concise studies place her life and actions within the context of Saxon England and reveals the importance of her legacy for the history of Buckinghamshire and, in particular, Chesham.

The fully stocked Elgiva Bar is open for all functions, serving not only alcohol, but also soft drinks and nibbles.

Café Encore, the coffee shop and café located at The Elgiva Theatre is open Monday to Saturday, 9.30am to 5pm. A wide range of home cooked meals, snacks and cakes are available from breakfast to brunch through to lunch. Organic and fairtrade coffee and tea are served. Enjoy our comfortable surroundings for business or pleasure, with free wi-fi.