Hire the theatre

External hire of the theatre

The University theatre is a 280 seat arena stage theatre that is available for hire by private groups.

The theatre is fully equipped to a professional standard and a detailed technical specification is sent to every hirer.  

Contact us

We are proud of our reputation and expertise and are delighted to share it with you as part of our service. We hope that you find the University theatre to be an approachable and friendly venue for audience and hirer alike.  Go to contact form or call Sarah Waller on 01582 743 045.

Guide to availability

The availability of dates for external hirers is limited by two important factors -
During University term time, the theatre is used Monday to Friday as a lecture theatre and is therefore only available for hire from 6pm.

• Term time 6pm onwards Monday to Friday, all day Saturday and Sunday
• Vacation All Day Monday to Sunday

About the venue

• It is important to note that the theatre must be completely cleared after each booking especially during term time.
• Hirers must book sufficient time for all their activities, including rigging, striking of set etc.
• It is the perfect venue for staging drama, lectures, concerts, dance and conferences.
• It is NOT suitable for private parties, weddings etc.

Services we offer

It is our wish to help you to make your event as smooth-running and successful as possible. To that end we are able to offer various services:

• Use of space  The auditorium, foyer, scene dock, two changing rooms, with showers available to all hirers at a cost.
• Front of House  For public performances a team of at least four FOH staff is needed, trained in NBWT safety procedures. Some hirers prefer to organise this themselves and then we only require that brief training is given before the first performance night.  For hirers who wish it, a front of house team can sometimes be supplied at extra cost.
• Technical Support  We can arrange for a technician at extra cost for hirers. As with FOH we must assure ourselves that technicians used by the hirer are sufficiently competent to handle the equipment. A technical specification is provided with each booking form; hirers who have extra needs must make their own arrangements. Please contact our Production Manager Alison Barker who will be pleased to advise you.
• Box Office and Marketing External hirers are responsible for their own publicity and tickets sales

Booking information

Details of our charges are on the booking form. Please remember to take the VAT into account.

We do reserve the right to charge for cancellation less than 28 days before the booking and also for any damages to the building or to equipment.