Jump to content

The Blakehay Theatre, Weston-super-Mare

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Johnpacklambert (talk | contribs) at 02:18, 5 January 2016 (added Category:2012 establishments in England using HotCat). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

The Blakehay Theatre
The Blakehay Theatre which was previously the Wadham Street Baptist Church
Map
AddressWadham Street
Weston-super-Mare
England
OwnerWeston-super-Mare Town Council
Capacity207 seat
Current useCommunity Theatre
Construction
Years active10
ArchitectHans Price
Website
[1]

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.[4] The original 230 church seats were placed on a new raked platform and the old Baptistery turned into a stage.[3]

In September 2004 Weston Town Council purchased the theatre for £195,000.[5]

  • 1850 - The Blakehay is Built
  • 1862 - The Blakehay is Enlarged
  • 1985 - The Blakehay Closes as a place of worship
  • 2004 - Weston-super-Mare Town Council Purchases The Blakehay
  • 2010 - Refurbishment begins- Work starts on refurbishing parts of the building including new toilets and bar area.
  • August 2011 - All of the theatre lighting and sound equipment are updated with new equipment.
  • August 2011 - The Jill Dando Cafe opens its doors to all and is managed by the charity The Brandon Trust.
  • September 2011 - The new theatre sound equipment is installed.
  • November 2011 - The NEW external signage, lighting and notice boards are unveiled.
  • 2012 The Comedy Box comes to Weston! - New monthly run of comedy shows from Bristol.
  • June 2012 - The Welsh National Opera performs at the theatre and in Weston-super-Mare for the first time.
  • Chew Moo Ice Creams are sold at the theatre
  • September 2012 - Launch of the New What's On Guide for the theatre.
  • September — December 2012 - The theatre is alive with a full programme of events for the winter.
  • March 2013 - The Jill Dando Cafe closes and The Brandon Trust moves from the Jill Dando Cafe to their new premises @Worle.
  • March 2013 - The front of the building gets a new lick of paint.
  • March 2013 - The backstage areas get a fresh coat of paint and the scene dock is enlarged.
  • April 2013 - Blakehay Buddy scheme launches.
  • April 2013 - Saturday Morning Children Shows are launched for a trial season.
  • May 2013 - New Online Booking facility is launched. Seating is numbered.
  • June 2013 - What's On Guide Launch Evenings are introduced.
  • August 2013 - Building works were completed to stop the damp!
  • September 2013 - New Community Evening Classes are launched with Contemporary Dance Lessons on a Wednesday evening.
  • November 2013 - Children's Saturday morning shows are back for a season.
  • December 2013 - First professional family Christmas show goes ahead at the theatre

Current use

The Blakehay Theatre operates as being a live events venue programming local and regional theatre, music and dance.[6] The venue is also home to the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) Concert Band[7] and Weston College Performing Arts department. Facilities in the building include the main Auditorium, Upper Studio, Theatre Bar, two dressing rooms and a Box Office.

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. ^ a b c "About Us". Blakehay Theatre. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  4. ^ "Launch of The Blakehay Theatre 10th Anniversary Celebrations". Love Weston. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ "Whats On". Blakehay Theatre.
  7. ^ "The Royal Air Forces Association Concert Band". This is the West Country. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Blakehay Theatre.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Blakehay_Theatre,_Weston-super-Mare&oldid=698272958"