The Blakehay Theatre, Weston-super-Mare

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Blakehay Theatre
Address
Wadham Street
City
Weston-super-Mare
Country England
Architect Hans Price
Owned by Weston Town Council
Capacity 220 seat
www.blakehay.co.uk
Coordinates: 51°21′03″N 2°58′49″W / 51.3508, -2.9802

The Blakehay Theatre, is a 220 seat theatre and arts centre in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, England.

Contents

[edit] 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. In 1862 Hans Price, who became the town's leading architect, was commissioned to adapt and enlarge the building. The name comes from "Black Hay", a field that originally lay between the High Street and Wadham Street.

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 by the Weston-super-Mare Building Trust and run by the Civic Society.[2] In September 2004 Weston Town Council purchased the theatre for £195,000.[3] The council has since undertaken further refurbishment of the building.

[edit] The Blakehay today

Currently the Blakehay is used regularly for performances and meetings of various kinds in its main auditorium and two studios. The theatre has a resident actors company and The Blakehay Puppet Company, which provides entertainment for children across the town.[4] The theatre and studios are used for performances and exhibitions by students of Weston College.[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Our History. Clarence Park Baptist Church. Retrieved on 2007-07-04.
  2. ^ Short History. Friends of the Blakehay. Retrieved on 2007-07-04.
  3. ^ Blakehay keys handed over to town council. The Weston Mercury (27 September 2004). Retrieved on 2007-07-04.
  4. ^ Group Information: Blakehay Puppet Company. North Somerset Council clearasmud. Retrieved on 2007-07-05.
  5. ^ Higher Education Prospectus (PDF). Weston College. Retrieved on 2007-07-04.

[edit] External links