The Blakehay Theatre, Weston-super-Mare
Encyclopedia
The Blakehay Theatre, is a 199 seat theatre in Weston-super-Mare
, North Somerset
, England
.
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.
In September 2004 Weston Town Council purchased the theatre for £195,000.
The council has since undertaken further refurbishment of the building.
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.
The theatre and studios are used for performances and exhibitions by students of Weston College
.
Weston-super-Mare
Weston-super-Mare is a seaside resort, town and civil parish in the unitary authority of North Somerset, which is within the ceremonial county of Somerset, England. It is located on the Bristol Channel coast, south west of Bristol, spanning the coast between the bounding high ground of Worlebury...
, North Somerset
North Somerset
North Somerset is a unitary authority in England. Its area covers part of the ceremonial county of Somerset but it is administered independently of the non-metropolitan county. Its administrative headquarters is in the town hall in Weston-super-Mare....
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
History
Originally built in 1850 as Wadham Street Baptist Church.The building was Weston-super-Mare's first Baptist church, and was also the town's first public building. In 1862 Hans Price
Hans Price
Hans Price was the architect responsible for much of the development of Weston-super-Mare, in North Somerset, England, during the Victorian era.-Life:Hans Fowler Price was born in Langford, Somerset. He studied under Thomas Barry in Liverpool...
, 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
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
the theatre was hit by incendiary bombs. After the war it was rebuilt inside the original Victorian
Victorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
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.
In September 2004 Weston Town Council purchased the theatre for £195,000.
The council has since undertaken further refurbishment of the building.
The Blakehay today
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.
The theatre and studios are used for performances and exhibitions by students of Weston College
Weston College
Weston College is a further education college situated in Weston-super-Mare, England. The college has 7,500 students who are taught at facilities in Weston-super-Mare and Nailsea...
.