It’s curtain up

STARS from the stage and screen have all packed their buckets and spades and headed to The Playhouse, Weston.

The Playhouse attracts big name stars, such as illusionist Derren Brown, who staged two sell-out shows at the thatre earlier this year.

The theatre has seen many major stars in its time from Frankie Howard to Kenn Dodd, Bob Monkhouse to Leslie Crowther and Ricky Tomlinson to Jimmy Cricket.

The Playhouse building was originally a market, but in 1946 the decision was taken to turn it into a 500 seat theatre.

The Playhouse was born and became Weston’s second theatre after the popular Knightstone Pavilion.

In the early 1960s, the theatre underwent a refit which saw new panelled walls and a new ceiling fitted. But on August 21, 1964, disaster struck when a fire ripped through the building, destroying most of it.

People in nearby homes lost all their possessions in the blaze, which was described in the press as ‘the worst fire in Weston since the second world war.’

The Playhouse was eventually re-opened in 1969. The final cost for restoring it to its former glory was £230,000.

For the first time Weston had a theatre which could easily stage a wide variety of productions, from ballet and music to opera and drama.
Artistes lined up to appear this summer include Adrian Walsh, Steeleye Span and The Westenders.

During the end of May and beginning of June the theatre hosts the Junior Arts Dance Festival, a showcase for the area’s brightest young stars.

For more details on who is appearing at The Playhouse over the summer and how to book a ticket call the box office on 01934 645544.

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