| The Blakehay Theatre | |
|---|---|
| Address | Wadham Street |
| City | Weston-super-Mare |
| Country | England |
| Architect | Hans Price |
| Owned by | Weston Town Council |
| Capacity | 199 seat |
| www.weston-super-maretowncouncil.gov.uk/blakehay.aspx | |
The Blakehay Theatre, is a 199 seat theatre in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, England.
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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.
The Blakehay Theatre is a community theatre in the centre of Weston-super-Mare. It operates as a live events venue programming local and regional theatre, music and dance. The Blakehay Actors Company runs a drama company with weekly meetings. The venue is also home to the RAFA band, Weston Youth Orchestra and Weston College Performing Arts department. The Jill Dando Cafe is run by the Brandon Trust.
Currently the Blakehay is used regularly for performances and meetings of various kinds in its main auditorium and upper studio. The theatre has a resident actors company, which provides entertainment.[4] The theatre and studios are used for performances and exhibitions by students of Weston College.[5]