The Playhouse Weston Super Mare is usually a big hit with all who visit it both young and old!
Weston Super Mares primary theatre and entertainment centre is the Playhouse. However, it's not the only theatre in Weston Super Mare as situated just around the corner is the Blakehay amateur theatre which seats an audience of up to 199. At the conclusion of this article I'll provide more information on the Blakehay theatre.
One of the oldest parts of the original Weston Super Mare village is now the site of modern Playhouse theatre. The site was initially a produce market which sold dairy products and chickens as well as being the location were animals have been slaughtered to supply the native population with fresh meat.
In1869 the market hall was replaced by a much bigger market building and then in 1899 a local architect named Hans Price. As residents of Weston Super Mare will let you know Hans Price has both streets and a school academy named after him as it was he who redesigned the outer look of this hall as well as the shops which were built in front of it.
By 1946 the market hall was no longer being used as a market and the town council took the decision to transform its use to that of a theatre. First a false ceiling was fitted and the walls were disguised with becoming materials and the building was named the Playhouse and after the popular Knightstone pavilion became Weston Super Mares second theatre.
In 1960 the playhouse was upgraded and partially refitted with a new ceiling. It catered for a wide taste of entertainments from traditional theatre and drama, classical music, ballet and many, well-known one-man shows. It has hosted many famous celebrities such as: Ken Dodd, Leslie Crowther, Frankie Howard and Bob Monkhouse.
Then in mid-August 1964 disaster struck when the building was engulfed in a devastating fire which fully destroyed the building apart from the outside was which also latter needed to be knocked down. The new playhouse Weston Super Mare was constructed at a price of £230,000 and was reopened in 1969. Many improvements had been included with the new stage being nearly 60 foot in width and it could comfortably seat an audience of 664 visitors.
Offering a wide variety of entertainments has always been one of the Weston Super Mare playhouse theatres goals so almost everybody who visits can find a production which will suit them, particularly the summer season tourists and holidaymakers.
How one can find the Playhouse Weston Super Mare
It couldn't be simpler as its situated at the north end of the high street so if you are on foot find the High Street and stroll north and it'll eventually appear on the right hand aspect of the street. However, if you're coming by car get on to the Boulevard going towards the sea front and just before Weston college turn right into West street and carry on straight ahead as this will lead you into the high street right by the theatre.
Weston's second theatre the Blakehay
As these are the only two theatres in Weston Super Mare I thought it was an excellent place to give it a quick mention. It was originally built in 1850 as Weston Super Mares first Baptist church. World war 11 saw the church struck by incendiary bombs and later after the war this bombed out shell of a building was reconstructed and remained a house of Baptist worship until 1985 when it was altered into flats.
Weston Super Mare badly wanted a venue for amature productions as well as public meetings and so in 2004 the town council bought the building and refitted it to suit this purpose.
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