The Friends of the Devonshire Park Theatre was formed in 1984, the centenary year of the theatre. The primary purpose was to encourage patronage of the Devonshire Park Theatre and theatre-going in general. The concessions granted to Friends on ticket prices for opening nights, along with ‘Meet the Cast’ evenings were started from the onset and continue today. Dedicated describers continue the service to blind and partially-sighted patrons and a rota of voluntary stewards assists the paid staff at all performances.