Strode Theatre

Strode Theatre stands in the Somerset town of Street. It is a modern mixed-arts venue built in the 1960s with a two-tier auditorium seating 343 and a smaller studio space that can seat 64. The main stage has a proscenium arch and steeply raked seating, while the orchestra pit can be adapted for different shows. The building also houses a café-bar and spaces for rehearsals and exhibitions. It is part of Strode College but runs independently, relying mainly on its own income. The theatre draws audiences from across the region and beyond. In 1984 it welcomed 30,000 visitors a year, and today that figure has doubled to 60,000. Audiences travel from Bristol, Devon, Dorset, South Wales and Gloucestershire for major events. It presents professional and amateur theatre, live music from folk to rock, films from popular to art-house, broadcasts from the National Theatre and Metropolitan Opera, and changing art exhibitions. Inside, the two-tier auditorium offers clear sightlines from every seat. The convertible orchestra pit allows for orchestral concerts or extra stage space. The studio space, added in 2016, provides an intimate setting for smaller performances. The foyer, bar and box office were added in 1999, and the building continues to host rehearsals, meetings and community events. The theatre remains a lively cultural hub for mid-Somerset.