The Anvil, Basingstoke
![]() The Anvil, Basingstoke in 2008. View of the south side of the theatre from the footbridge over Churchill Way. | |
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Address | Churchill Way Basingstoke |
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Owner | Basingstoke and DeaneBorough Council |
Type | Multi-purpose venue |
Capacity | 1,400 |
Construction | |
Opened | April 1994 |
Architect | Nicholas Thompson of RHWL |
Website | |
www.anvilplus.org.uk |
The Anvil is a concert hall with theatre functionality and a performing arts centre in the town of Basingstoke in Hampshire, UK.
Built on a site originally set aside for the third phase of Basingstoke's shopping centre, The Anvil was built to tackle what was then seen as a 'cultural desert' in the Basingstoke area. The aim of the project was to raise the profile of the Borough and to establish it as a major regional centre with a range of first class facilities. The building's name reflects its unusual shape, particularly when seen from the western approach which somewhat resembles the horn end of a traditional blacksmith's anvil. The hall has adjustable seating and acoustics plus a removable prooscenium to cater for different performance types. There is a small second auditorium, The Forge. The acoustic design was by Richard Cowell of Arup Acoustics.