Having closed in March 2020 due to the pandemic, and after receiving a Culture Recovery Fund Grant in October 2020, the theatre staff were able to create Blakehay@Home, and stage ‘Comedy at the Quarry’ in June 2021. However, the majority of this fund was to make alterations to the theatre and in May 2021, the contractors moved into the theatre. During 2021 the contractors have been busy installing a new ventilation system and altering the backstage dressing rooms. At the same time the theatre has undergone a complete electrical re-wire making the theatre future-proof and helping with the theatre’s carbon footprint.
Work on the theatre is now in the last stages of completion and will re-open to the public in January 2022 with the first performance performed by Weston Operatic Society juniors, OPPITTS, with their aptly named show ‘Opening Up’ with songs from all your favourite shows from stage and screen on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th January, tickets on sale now.
The studios will be re-opening in week commencing Monday 10th January with the return of our Community Classes, including a few new classes for 2022. Check out the theatre website for more information.
“We are so happy to be opening the theatre bringing live performances back. It has been a tough couple of years, not just for us but for the whole industry.
The pandemic has impacted heavily on theatre and we hope that 2022 will be our busiest year yet. We have an amazing variety of shows and we are confident that there is something for everyone.
We can’t wait to welcome people back into this beautiful building, there really is nothing like sitting in a theatre and watching live performance.”
– Sally Heath, Theatre Manager.
As an important venue in the heart of Weston-super-Mare the Blakehay Theatre will be welcoming back local groups to perform on the stage as well as professional productions that were postponed from 2020.
“The small but beautiful Blakehay Theatre is the town’s own theatre, owned by the people of our town through the town council. It is wonderful to see it reopening after nearly 2 years and a refurbishment and I’m definitely going to take the opportunity to see a show in early 2022.”
- Malcolm Nicholson, Town Clerk
The Blakehay Theatre is an approved venue to be able to use the industry-wide ‘See it Safely’ mark, so you can feel confident and safe knowing that our venue is COVID-secure and will be following the latest government guidance.
If you would like to see the work that has been done at the theatre, there will be an open day on Saturday 22nd January 2022 from 10am to 4pm. Everyone is welcome to pop in and have a look around the theatre as well as buy tickets to our upcoming shows and events.