Strode Theatre
 | |
  Strode Theatre | |
| Address |
Strode College, Church Road Street England |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 51°07′47″N 2°44′00″W / 51.1298°N 2.7334°W |
| Type | Provincial |
| Capacity | 343 seats |
| Opened | 1963 |
| Website | |
| www.strodetheatre.co.uk/index.php | |
Strode Theatre is a small theatre and cinema in Street, Somerset, England. Built with funds from Clarks brothers, when plans were drawn up for a college on the street, the community theatre opened in 1963 and was renovated during the 1990s.
Building
The theatre is part of Strode College and provides rehearsal and drama space for students from the college.[1] It received financial support from Somerset County Council, Mendip District Council and Street Parish Council.[2]
The building's structure is conventional, with a proscenium arch stage. The two tiers of seats are set at a steep gradient, with the option to just use the stalls for smaller performances. The orchestra pit is convertible to allow for different types of performances.[3]
History
The Strode Theatre opened on 5 October 1963 with a performance by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.[4] It was funded by the Clark Foundation, set up by the Clarks brothers,[5] in response to plans to build a college nearby. By 1984, the theatre was receiving 30,000 visitors each year.[3] In 1994, the theatre was redecorated during works which include a new carpet and a new heating system, costing £115,000 (equivalent to £206,280 in 2015).[6]
In 1999 the theatre was expanded with a new foyer, bar and box office along with improved rehearsal space and stage access, at a cost of £750,000 by the Steel, Coleman Davis partnership who received an award for the design.[7] The expansion was funded by the Arts Council England,[8] and it was at this point that it became part of Strode College, and began use as a cinema as well as associating with organisations such as Strode Opera.[9]
The Strode Theatre is named for a 17th-century politician and philanthropist, William Strode.
References
- ↑ "Strode Theatre". Strode College. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
- ↑ "Strode Theatre Funding". Strode Theatre. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
- 1 2 "A functional venue in a mystical place". The Stage. 1 November 1984. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
- ↑ "Strode Theatre". Total Travel.com. Archived from the original on 31 January 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
- ↑ Palmer, Mark (2013). Clarks: Made to Last: The story of Britain's best-known shoe firm (Illustrated ed.). Profile Books. ISBN 9781847658456.
- ↑ "Snaps". The Stage. 15 September 1994. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
- ↑ "Strode Theatre". Steel Coleman Davis Partnership. Archived from the original on 2 May 2006. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
- ↑ "Strode Theatre". Bailey partnership. Archived from the original on 12 February 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
- ↑ Siraut, M. C.; Thacker, A. T.; Williamson, Elizabeth (2006). "Parishes: Street". A history of the county of Somerset. 9: 165–198. Retrieved 1 September 2016.