The Blakehay Theatre

About Us

The Blakehay Theatre has been closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and has used the time to refurbish and is due to re-open in 2022.  The studio spaces are available to hire, but the main theatre is currently closed for performances.

The theatre offers a stimulating and inclusive programme at the heart of Weston’s cultural life, appealing to theatregoers of all generations.  It's a theatre for the whole community, bringing national popular shows and treading subject matters onto the stage with the aim to promote a creative hub for artists and performers in the local area and a cultural home for fans of the arts with a uniquely diverse programme of locally produced and touring work.   

History of the Blakehay Theatre
Built in 1850, the building was Weston-Super-Mare’s first Baptist church and first public building. In 1862 Hans Price, who became the town’s leading architect, was commissioned to adapt and enlarge the building. During the Second World War it was hit by incendiary bombs and only the outside walls of the church remained, after the war it was rebuilt inside the original Victorian shell. The building closed as a place of worship in 1985 and was saved from demolition and replacement with a block of flats in 1986 by the actions of Weston Civic Society.

It was converted into a venue for amateur and professional events and public meetings and renamed ‘The Blakehay’ after “Black Hay”, a field that originally lay between the High Street and Wadham Street. The original 230 church seats were placed on a new racked platform and the old Baptistery turned into a stage. The old Sunday school rooms were converted into two studio spaces on the ground and first floors.
Weston-super-Mare Town Council purchased the theatre in 2004. During the time that Weston-Super-Mare Town Council have owned and managed the theatre there has been extensive refurbishment such as converting the first floor into a Studio Theatre that can also be used as two separate studio spaces.

Hire Us
The Blakehay Theatre can be hired and used for a variety of events, performance, exhibitions, parties, meetings, conferences, classes, and so much more.  As well as the equipment and facilities available, they also offer the services of skilled technicians to operate lighting and sound, plus a full staff including duty manager, Box Office, front of house and bar staff.

Booking
The Blakehay Theatre has a busy artistic programme and can get booked up a long way in advance so early booking is recommended, particularly for use of the Main House.