The Blakehay Theatre, Weston-super-Mare

The Blakehay Theatre

The Blakehay Theatre which was previously the Wadham Street Baptist Church
Address Wadham Street
Weston-super-Mare
England
Coordinates 51°21′04″N 2°58′49″W / 51.351197°N 2.980339°W / 51.351197; -2.980339
Owner Weston-super-Mare Town Council
Capacity 207 seat
Current use Community Theatre
Construction
Years active 10
Architect Hans Price
Website

The Blakehay Theatre, is a 207 seat theatre in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, England.

History

Originally built in 1850 as Wadham Street Baptist Church.[1] The building was Weston-super-Mare's first Baptist church, and was also the town's first public building.[2] In 1862 Hans Price, who became the town's leading architect, was commissioned to adapt and enlarge the building.[3] The name comes from "Black Hay", a field that originally lay between the High Street and Wadham Street.[3]

During World War II the theatre was hit by incendiary bombs. After the war it was rebuilt inside the original Victorian shell. In 1985 the building ceased to be a place of worship. In 1986 the Blakehay was saved from demolition and replacement with a block of flats by the actions of the Weston-super-Mare Building Trust and run by the Civic Society who converted into a venue for amateur and professional events and public meetings.

In September 2004 Weston Town Council purchased the theatre for £195,000.[4]

Current use

The Blakehay Theatre operates as being a live events venue programming local and regional theatre, music and dance.[5] Facilities in the building include the main Auditorium, Upper Studio, Theatre Bar, two dressing rooms and a Box Office.

Box office open Tuesday - Saturday 10am -2pm and an hour before performances.

References

  1. "Our History". Clarence Park Baptist Church. Retrieved 2007-07-04.
  2. "Blakehay Theatre". Whats On Weston-super-Mare. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  3. 1 2 "About Us". Blakehay Theatre. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  4. "Blakehay keys handed over to town council". The Weston Mercury. 27 September 2004. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-07-04.
  5. "Whats On". Blakehay Theatre.
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