It was founded in 1974 by Buddy Dalton in the converted mortuary of the now-defunct New End Hospital. The mortuary was formerly linked to the hospital across the road by a tunnel. It was owned by Roy and Sonia Saunders from 1986 until 1997. Its Artistic Directors included Sonia Saunders (1986–92), Jon Harris (1992–96) and Neil McPherson (1996–97). From 1997 to 2011 it was both owned and run by Artistic Director and Chief Executive Brian Daniels.