Barnfield Theatre

The Barnfield Theatre stands in Exeter’s city centre on Barnfield Road, near Southernhay. Built near the end of the 19th century as Barnfield Hall by the Exeter Literary Society, it became a theatre in 1972. The building is owned by Exeter City Council and has long served local theatre groups. From December 2021 its management passed to the Northcott Theatre. The theatre continues to host both amateur and professional productions. Inside, the main auditorium has 280 tip-up seats arranged in a full rake so every seat faces the stage. The seats were reupholstered in 2005 and the space can also host conferences and lectures. The Clifford Room, renamed in 2007 after Clifford Scott, offers modular seating for up to 60 people and adapts to different staging needs. The foyer was updated in 2015 and again in 2022 under new management. Visitors find a well-equipped stage with limited lighting for productions. The Clifford Room can be set up for theatre in the round or traverse layouts. The foyer provides a welcoming space before and after performances. The theatre remains a lively venue for plays, talks and community events in Exeter.